Saddles for babies (human not horse!!)

I started riding at 18 months on a pony who was 32! My dad had an arm round me and someone else led the pony, no stirrups obviously so I was just perched on top. Then if the pony had decided to whisk off I would have just been removed by my pa! No hat until I was about 2 and a half but loads of people didn't bother then anyway, as this was 30 years ago and they were only held on with a bit of elastic if you were lucky. Different world! Tnavas I never tried to get off... In fact they had to pull me down at the end when old Misty had had enough!
 
*picks jaw up off the floor*


..... dangerous!!

if pony f-ks off as let's face it....even the most bombproof pony can and will.........child goes with pony

that dosent bear thinking about!!!

i think selling a horse is something id rather do than put my child at risk for the sake of riding :o
 
My daughter started "riding" at about 13-14 months old but always with one person leading the pony and another holding her in place. She started with a little cub saddle, but when she was ready to sit independently we used a western saddle as it gave her more security, until she was ready to return to the cub. By the time she was two she loved bouncing around on her little saint of a pony and several years on is still a very enthusiastic and capable young jockey.
 
To clarify, I don't think anyone has an issue with a young chillies being given a pony ride but you need to be lead reining said pony from the ground with an available arm to hold said child and if necessary grab it if pony stumbles or spooks. What I and I believe others cannot comprehend is the sheer stupidity of riding a horse and lead reining a baby on the pony at the same time. Total selfish madness.
 
I am aghast.

What age would you all say is ok to put a child on a pony and lead it from a horse?
 
Once said child is able to sit up unsupported and wear a riding hat comfortable and safely. I believe I was approximately a year old when first sat on our Shetland. In my case, mum held me and dad led the pony round the field for a few minutes. All children are different I know but personally I don't think mine will be on a pony before a year old and only then with two people as I was. I have a tendency to be rather over protective though so will wait and see.
 
Sorry Jemma misread your post. Wouldn't lead from another horse until child has a stable seat and can hold reins well, no idea what age but guessing at least 6.
 
Age isn't the issue. Issue for me would be balance, confidence, ability to sit I the pony takes a sudden side step. I am thinking four onwards...
 
When the child is able to canter - in a normal saddle,(although mine could canter a circle bareback on the lunge at 3).
But in the beginning, the focus should be on the child. The pony should be narrow and saintly and 'short and sweet' sessions will be safe for the young child's joints.
Leading a baby, (or strapping one to rider!:eek:), from a horse, is frankly nuts!
 
Gluttonforpunishment said:
Sorry Jemma misread your post. Wouldn't lead from another horse until child has a stable seat and can hold reins well, no idea what age but guessing at least 6.
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I rode a shetland pony (off lead rein, but on private land) from about 5 yo but would have happily ridden earlier if i had the opportunity. I don't think it would have been a problem to lead off another (safe) horse. In particular on soft ground where it won't be a big deal to fall off ( small children bounce.. )
 
_CJ_ said:
I rode a shetland pony (off lead rein, but on private land) from about 5 yo but would have happily ridden earlier if i had the opportunity. I don't think it would have been a problem to lead off another (safe) horse. In particular on soft ground where it won't be a big deal to fall off ( small children bounce.. )
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A Child of 3, 4, 5 or 6 or is completely different to plonking a baby under 2 yrs of age on a pony!! especially leading from another horse :eek::eek::eek: no way would a baby under 2 be able to support themselves enough to ride unsupported!!!

Shocking
 
cob&onion said:
A Child of 3, 4, 5 or 6 or is completely different to plonking a baby under 2 yrs of age on a pony!! especially leading from another horse :eek::eek::eek: no way would a baby under 2 be able to support themselves enough to ride unsupported!!!

Shocking
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I wasn't commenting on babies in my post i merely quoted and replied to a poster who felt a child needs to be 6 before being led from another horse. I believe i would have been absolutely fine being led off another horse as a 5yo and probably a fair bit younger, since i was already riding off the rein at 5.

I Don't see the point in leading a baby/pony off another horse, aside frominjury risk it probably wouldn't enjoy it as too young.

Statistically, who knows how the risk of injury in a basket saddle compares to risk of injury in a car crash.
 
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,We seem to have moved on from the question of saddles.

If you are hoping to make your child a rider I think you need to wait until the child has the balance and coordination for it and to be watching Mum and desperate to have a go themselves.

If you are stuck for childcare and need a horsey fix putting your baby on a horse is not the answer!
I can think of a number of accidents I have heard about that have involved unsupervised small children around horses. I have even heard of someone leaving their baby in their car when they went on a hack!!

There are a lot of things that change when you have a baby. It does go quickly even if it doesnt feel like it. You will get your life back!
 
I'm not Mrs H&S Nazi, but 9 months is way too young whichever way you look at it. My 14mo still isn't capable of re-balancing quick enough if the pony flinched or stumbled. She has been held on a tied pony, by me, ready to whip her off if needed, but is a long way off riding and we just have to accept that and be patient! A basket saddle's nice in theory but is artificially allowing the child to be on the animal IMO - better to wait until they are physically capable of riding.
 
A friend has an inky dinky for leading her two year old daughter on a pony.

Regarding leading from a horse - imagine If a small child fell between the two animals and was trampled? Also imagine a small child belted into a basket saddle on a bolting pony. It doesn't bear thinking about.
 
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