I am venturing over here from hunter/jumper land so please don’t laugh at my questions! :lol: I have a 15 hand, stocky, elderly QH gelding that my 3 going on 4 year old son likes to ride around. I want to purchase a western saddle for him but have no idea what to pick. Anyone out there with young kiddos who ride western have any suggestions for a size/brand of saddle for a horse? Most of the saddles I’ve looked at are for ponies. I’m not looking to spend a fortune since he will surely outgrow the saddle in a couple years, yet would like something all leather of decent quality. (no purple, blue, green or colored leather) I grew up riding hunter/jumpers so this is all new to me! Thanks in advance!
You might try an adult western saddle with the buddy stirrups that attach to the horn.
They do make youth saddles built on a horse tree. Maybe check e-bay for used?
Personally, I would find a quality used western saddle in a 14.5 or 15 inch seat, and then use the buddy stirrups mentioned above. That way he won’t outgrow the saddle as quickly.
A little kid with a small behind, needs a saddle that fits so he can stay put in the seat. This is probably in seat sizes of 11-12 inches. A 14 inch seat is WAY too big for him.
I think the buddy stirrups are an abomination, kid is going to get hurt using them because they are a gadget. Gadgets are a fill-in item for stuff that doesn’t fit right in the first place, doesn’t work like a real saddle with fenders and stirrups. No kid of mine would be allowed to use them, better to go bareback than use something kid can hang up in.
Ask for used saddles at the show barns, seems kids move up to larger saddles all the time, so reselling happens a lot. Trainers want kids to win, are more likely to have parents get saddles that FIT the kid and horse. Those bigger seats let kids slop around, not helpful in the big ring wins.
I found a 12" seat on QH tree for my son at about the same age as yours. This after asking just a few people who gave a name and she had the saddle. Good brand name, Billy Royal, and not used hard. Only flaw (to me) was that it was dark oil, which I have never cared for. Son used the saddle for about 6-7 years, with his slender build, no hips. I did buy a second set of longer fenders as son got longer legged, the first pair got too short. I got him another western saddle with a slightly larger seat 14", about that time, after a growth spurt.
My friend FINALLY sold me her small seat Western saddle which I have wanted for years. During her ownership that saddle has been loaned, borrowed, for more than 100 kids who needed small seats to ride in. Kids are confidant, comfortable, in good position to ride and control their horses. It also has two sets of fenders to change around if you have a “leggy” kid with no hips. Kids riding with it have won MANY ribbons because saddle fits them, no compensating for poor saddle fit on their horses. Around here, everyone seems to put kids on horses first, then big ponies as they age.
This was a custom saddle, one of a pair of saddles made for twin girls whose family was REALLY into horses. Not sure of the age, but old with the elephant ear cantle behind the seat. Well cared for, plain heavy leather so it kind of disappears when put on a horse. I knew the twin girls who got the saddles used back when I was a kid! Their parents considered saddle fit and size to the kid as being VERY important, which is probably where I got my ideas. Those girls were always taking turns at being 1-2 in their classes. So not the first owners of those saddles. They split up the set of saddles to sell when outgrown, my friend got this one at that time.
I have a “deal” with my good friend to loan saddle back to her when she gets some grandchildren! Otherwise it will hang in my barn for a long time to come, barring being loaned out.
I pain about $350 for my son’s Billy Royal years ago, then got $450 selling it after daughter outgrew it. Lady was very happy to find it. We had added a bit of silver and I included the second set of fenders. It looked nice, ready to show.
You would not consider riding the wrong sized saddle for your horse or yourself. I can’t understand WHY folks think kids can “make do” with gadgets. ill-fitting tack, dangerous tack, and then wonder why the kid has so many problems, develops bad habits trying to ride!
We used son’s saddle for camping and trail riding, weekly lessons, showing, just like he was an adult. Saddle held him firmly seated in proper equitation form to do correct riding on his horses. For me, doing a variety or riding things, I wanted the “Head, Hips, Heels” aligned method of riding done. Kid has no quirks for show preferances (arched backs were popular a while), is able to move and adjust as needed on a working horse. Has a comfortable body position able to ride for hours of the day and keep his horse comfortable during those hours. We did the same thing with daughter as she rode too.
OP needs to get the word out to locate a small seated saddle, on a horse tree, for the son. Don’t shortcut to the “make-do” gadgets that will come back to bite you later. Consider having him wear a helmet (that fits PROPERLY) right now, so he has it on all the time. The best horse in the world can trip and fall, be surprised to sidestep quickly and lose their kid. Mine did the helmet EVERY RIDE. It was natural to put helmet on going out to get their horses and ride. They didn’t fall often, but I had done MY best to protect them with good horses and helmets.
I second looking for a small western saddle that’s made on a QH tree. The “seat shrinker” actually works quite well to snug up a seat that’s up to 1" too big, but it works better on the more upright cantles. Is ineffective on something with a low flat cantle.
http://www.hayneedle.com/product/tough1saddleseatsizereducer.cfm?redirect=false&source=pla&kwid=LargeAnimals%20high&tid=JTIN693-2&adtype=pla&kw=&gclid=CjwKEAiA7ejCBRDlp8uF6ezPnjoSJAAPED7MWw-Dqyu7Rn8Ih1i7NrN0vPBOXT6JCeqBSZhPfs2eDhoClrHw_wcB
Look at barrel saddles also, which are normally smaller in seat size.
OP, look at Corriente saddle company. They have the colored barrel saddles that you don’t want, but lots of youth rough-out or half breed working saddles that may be what you’re looking for.
Our son had one for years, with two fender sizes. Good product, good price. It’s going now to our neighbors for their grandchildren to use.
I agree NOT to use an adult size saddle for a 3 or 4 year old kid. That seat is way too big for them. They aren’t going to be able to learn to ride properly that way. Try to find a child-sized seat (on a quarter horse sized tree). They are out there.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions!! I’ll begin my search!!
