Choosing a Saddle for a Tiny Rider

[GrumpyMare]

My son seems to have inherited the horse crazy gene from me and had been taking lessons. For Christmas I would like to get him his own saddle. He has been using the BO daughter’s saddle since it is the only one tiny enough. He wears size 5 boys clothing and is a very skinny 6 year old. He is riding in a 14" saddle now, but I almost think he could go in a 13" saddle.

Any suggestions on brands and places to find a used child’s saddle? I want to stay under $350 ideally since he will outgrow it. Close contact or an all-purpose style. I’ve been out of horses for the last 10 years, so I’m having to catch up on what people are into now.

[PonyPenny]

I would suggest a 14" Here is one on Ebay that you should check out. It is a Collegiate Ian Miller saddle. My daughter rode in one all through her early years. They are highly sought out and very nice saddles. You would have no problem selling it when he grows out of it. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Collegiate-14-medium-tree-Close-Contact-English-Saddle-/190952402223?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c75a66d2f

[Indy]

Those little Ian Millers were great saddles and definitely have held value over time.

I’m also a fan of the older little Pessoas (not the new ones, they’re not as nice IMO) and any of Bevel’s pony-sized saddles, even their lower end Stamford/Princeton models. They all put the kid in a good position and should be easy to resell when he’s done with it.

[Mayaty02]

I would stick with a 14" mostly because 13" is very hard to find. Little kids saddles will be easily resold on the used saddle market so find a good brand, Beval, Pessoa, etc, and you will be able to easily sell it for likely what you paid and trade up to a bigger size when the time comes.

[fredsaid2]

I’m a fan of the Pessoa Pony saddles. I sold my daughter’s years ago for more than I paid for it new. It was nicely made, rode well and held up well. Protackguy, who used to post great info, explained they were always made in Argentina. The idea that older was better doesn’t hold up with that info. Good luck finding the right saddle for your son!

[Dewey]

I love the Stubben Rex for kids. It’s sort of an all-purpose type, but it lacks the thigh rolls of the adult model Siegfried, so it won’t put your child in a chair seat. For quality and security, it is tops. It doesn’t come in anything smaller than a 15" AFAIK, but the seat is deep, so your child would be comfortable in a 15.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-Johs-Stubben-Krefeld-Rex-All-Purpose-Saddle-/200982288473?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ecb7a5859

[candysgirl]

I’ll put another vote for the Stubben Rex. I think they do a really good job even with the tiny kids.

[alto]

[QUOTE=fredsaid2;7242638]
I’m a fan of the Pessoa Pony saddles. explained they were always made in Argentina. The idea that older was better doesn’t hold up with that info. Good luck finding the right saddle for your son![/QUOTE]

True but I saw some just made vs older stock in the same shop, the leather on the brand new saddle was not the same quality though the company had held to the same price point - if you search the forums, several posts comment on the difficulty in “breaking in” these newest saddles (especially if only a child is riding).
Of course any saddle like this, can have the finish stripped which then allows conditioning to happen (you just cannot predict what is under the finish, generally it turns out well enough, occasionally not so much).

Another vote for just pick up a 14", your son will likely grow into it quick enough if he’s got any leggy genes

[SonnysMom]

http://www.saddlesource.com/cons00001525.html
http://www.saddlesource.com/used00000580.html

Too bad this one isn’t smaller. A little boy might appreciate the color. I don’t know any adults that would.
http://www.saddlesource.com/used00000531.html

[Dewey]

Check this out: it starts at 12 1/2" and is priced at $385 for a new saddle:

http://www.smithworthington.com/index.php?p=product&id=155

[jaysjmpr]

The Ian Miller is a great little saddle and they hold up well for 6 yr little boys. I still have the one my son rode in when he was 6 and still have it and use it to teach. Also the older Bevals are good little saddles. Also get a “grab Strap”.