Cinch size for pony, saddle size for child

[The_Centaurian]

Sorry these are such a basic stupid questions!

My son has outgrown the english saddle that came with Mrs. Pony, and wants Santa to bring him a “cowboy” saddle. Sounds good to me.

The trial policy on saddles is so short (3 days) that I will need to have a cinch and saddle blanket ready ahead of time to check the saddle fit for Mrs. Pony.

Does a 22 inch cinch seem reasonable for a 10 hand pony? She wears a 34-36 inch girth with her teeny-tiny english leadline saddle, if that helps. The tack store doesn’t carry western gear this small, so I will have to order everything (and hopefully get it right the first time) I worry that if I buy the cinch too short that the metal rings will be uncomfortable behind the pony’s elbows.

As far as the seat size, I was thinking a 12" saddle would be the right size for my son. He is 42" tall and 35 lbs. I worry that a bigger saddle might not fit the 10 hand pony! Should I be considering a 13" saddle?

I do know how to cinch up a western saddle, thank goodness, but I have never bought any western tack for myself.

Thanks!
–Kim

[beau159]

[QUOTE=The Centaurian;8909535]

Does a 22 inch cinch seem reasonable for a 10 hand pony? [/QUOTE]

Boy, we haven’t had a pony around for quite a few years, but 22 inches sounds right for a pony. You should have enough latigo on either side to make that work.

[QUOTE=The Centaurian;8909535]
As far as the seat size, I was thinking a 12" saddle would be the right size for my son. He is 42" tall and 35 lbs. I worry that a bigger saddle might not fit the 10 hand pony! Should I be considering a 13" saddle? [/QUOTE]

The seat size has nothing to do with how it will fit the horse.

The TREE is what matters. So it depends on what tree is in the saddle you are considering.

@The Centaurian;8909535

I do know how to cinch up a western saddle, thank goodness, but I have never bought any western tack for myself.

Do you have someone who will be able to help you determine if the saddle fits the pony during your 3-day trial?

[The_Centaurian]

Yes, I am used to fitting English saddles, and I have a trainer familiar with western tack that I can run the saddle fit past, as well.

I get that the bars are what would fit the pony laterally-- semi QH is probably what we’re looking for-- but I am also concerned about fitting the pony front-to-back. Perhaps it isn’t the seat size, but the skirt length, I should have asked about. (I kind of figured that a larger seat would have a longer skirt.) I’m sure this never comes in to play on larger ponies and horses, but Mrs. Pony is so very small that the length front-to-back is a concern. As is the tree width, of course.

The 22" cinch is hilariously small. It almost messes with my eyes because the proportions are so weird.

[Jamie.S]

The cinch size can depend on how the rigging sits on the saddle, too. I have a treeless saddle where the rigging sits lower so I have to use a smaller cinch. I have a 12.1h pony and use a 20". A kid’s saddle probably won’t sit as low, so depending on how big around your pony is, 20-22" is probably fine to give you an idea.

[The_Centaurian]

I haven’t seen a 20" cinch available anywhere, but you’re right that the western saddles ride a bit higher on the pony’s back than I am used to with the “postage stamp” English saddle. The rigging is quite long on her-- I could probably tie the off side and near side in a knot if I were so inclined :lol:

[Jamie.S]

They are hard to find! I bought my 20" from a vendor at a horse show who sells a lot of pony tack, it’s a Pro Choice but I just tried searching online and don’t see it smaller than 24", maybe they stopped making them.

[beau159]

[QUOTE=The Centaurian;8910962]

(I kind of figured that a larger seat would have a longer skirt.) [/QUOTE]

Yes and no. It will depend on the saddlemaker, but “rule of thumb” is that the tree length will be smaller for anything less than 14" and will be larger for larger than 16". So you’ll have to check out the brand you consider, for tree size for ponies.

[The_Centaurian]

Another question: what exactly is a Rylon tree? Is this a brand, or a style, or what? I have never heard of it, and Google doesn’t seem to know, either.

The local tack shop wants to order me a new synthetic saddle, but I would really prefer a used saddle. I haven’t seen any Circle Y saddles in the tiny size I need; are there any other reputable brands I should be keeping an eye out for?

[beau159]

Are you sure it was Rylon … and not Ralide?

Either way, sounds like the saddle maker of the tree.

I know that Circle Y does make a “little cowpoke” saddle, with seat sizes 10 through 13. The link I posted happens to be a barrel saddle but they do have other styles.

Used leather kids saddles can be harder to find, but they are certainly out there.

[The_Centaurian]

It definitely said Rylon, but it’s possible the seller misspelled or something.

I did find a 20" cinch on Amazon, of all places.

I am waiting patiently for a nice used kids saddle on eBay. I’ve been outbid at the last minute on a Big Horn and a no-name that looked solid.

Hopefully sellers will start putting some nice stuff out there for Christmas soon. Goodness knows I have been seeing decorations and trees since, I kid you not, September.