Hey Angie; I hear ya. My daughter's saddles are miserable. I have a nearly new english "hunt seat" saddle for them, and I have found that every child's english saddle puts them in a position in which they look as if they are sitting in a chair. Their knees and lower legs are way in front of them . My eldest daughter , 8, is getting a longer leg now, and she "likes" her English saddle , but when I put it on the horse it looks like a ridiculous jockey saddle. It was made for a pony and I don't have any more ponies. My thought processes have been.....they'd probably be better off and safer in a bareback pad.. but that isn't good for going on the distance trail, and I want them to learn to put their body in a correct position. So we have been off to the saddlery store that is owned by a friend, who also sells used tack. I have been putting my daughter onto dressage saddles. I have found that the 14 inch dressage saddle, I can squeeze into in a pinch, but it holds the 45 lb kid nic
ely. It is a deeper saddle which is a bit more secure. And it is designed for the horse, not the pony. They had them ranging from $250 to $2,000, and some are used or new. I haven't purchased one yet, I think I'm gonna try to sell the kids hunt seat saddle, and then get the dressage saddle with some childrens leathers that they sell in the Dover and the Miller's catalog. I'd like to get some of those stirrups that Angie mentioned, small size with a cage. We have stirrups with the rubber safety device on the side that releases if they fall off. I really think the dressage saddle may be the answer to my safety concerns, and could be modified for trail use!
Beth (Shhhh...don't mention new saddles or saddle racks around here!)
