Child Saddles on Big Horses

As an adults, many of us don't think about about a small child riding  a full size horse. We think a young rider should be on a Miniature Horse or small Pony, using a pony or mini saddle....right?

When our children want to get on our full size horse, we just place the child in our full size saddle or put their pony saddle on our full size horse. Neither are very good ideas, especially if the child starts riding the full size horse regularly.

EBAY Offers a Large Selection of Horse Tack

15 Western Buckaroo Wade A Fork Saddle JC Martin Co Model CARLOS    US $585.00

STUNNING USED VINTAGE 15 WESTERN LEATHER COWBOY PLEASURE TRAIL SADDLE    US $65.99

Vintage Hereford Tex Tan Western Saddle    US $406.01

Classic Western Tooled Leather Saddle Brown 12    US $63.00

Steve Madden Saddle Ladies Cowboy Boots Slouchy Western Saddle Seude $149    US $56.00

Lightly Used Great Condition Eli Miller Western Show Saddle Trail Pleasure NR    US $425.00

These saddles need to be chosen with the size of the child and the build of the horse in mind.  The saddle must fit both properly.

Kids are Fearless! They want to ride that big, huge horse that towers over them. We have all see it and many of us have been there.

Locating child saddles designed for the full size horse or large pony is another challenge. Saddle manufacturers tell us it's all about the money. Of course it is!

Small Western saddles for kids that fit full size horses cost manufacturers as much, if not more to make than the big saddle. They cost as much to make and most of them sell for less.

The child saddle needs to fit both the child and the horse. Not only is it more comfortable for the child, but it is safer. This saddle also needs to fit the horse they are riding.

You need to consider what size seat is best, the stirrup length, and the type of saddle.

Then you need to look at the horse or pony they are riding. This means that you are looking at saddle trees with wider gullet size and of course, quality and affordability.

The saddle pictured on the left fits nicely on the broad back, stout built large pony or full size horse.  See how wide it is?  You will want to have a Semi- or a Full Quarter Horse Bar Tree.  The gullet measurements should be 6.5" to 7 plus inches.

Below is a photo of a 12" saddle that fits a full size horse.  Notice the deep seat and high cantle.

We have found that as a General Rule, stirrups will only go up so high on these saddles.  If you try to raise the stirrups any higher, you would run into the issue of trying to turn the stirrup forward.  Unless the child is severely pigeon toed, this won't work.  The only other option is to take the saddle to a leather craftsman to cut down the stirrup fenders to raise the stirrups.

Stirrup Lengths

If you place a tape measure in the center of the seat and measure down the fender to the place the foot rests in the stirrup (roughly the inseam measurement of the child less a few inches for bending the knee) you can use this guide.

• 10" Western saddle - shortest stirrup length is about 20"
• 12" Western saddle - shortest stirrup length is about 22"
• 13" Western saddle - shortest stirrup length is about 24"

Barrel Racing Saddles

We have found a few manufacturers that offer affordable 10", 12" and 13" western saddles. Most are designed for barrel racing and gaming.

Whether the young rider is into barrel racing or not, these saddles are wonderful for all types of riding. Why? They have a deep seat with up to 5" or 6" high cantles. The deeper seats give both the children and the parent a better sense of security. It aids the child in maintaining better balance if the horse moves too quickly.

We have been selling these saddles for several years on eBay and at our shop. Recently we opened an online tack store that carries several types of child saddles that fit full size horses.

If you would like to take a look at or learn more about some of these saddles, send us an inquiry through our Contact page. Be sure to let us know if you ever have any questions about any of our saddles or tack in general. We are happy to help.

WESTERN BRIDLES

Come in Many Different Styles

The type of Western bridle depends on what your horse is doing. You want to decide which bridle works best on your horse and what type is your personal favorite.

Expensive bridles sell the headstall, bit and reins separately. You can choose what works best for you and your horse.

EBAY Offers a Large Selection of Western Bridles

BRIDLE WESTERN LEATHER HEADSTALL PINK TACK CONCHOS BLING BARREL RODEO CARVED    US $59.99

Antique Fancy little western bridle bit rein chains    US $19.39

WESTERN LEATHER GREEN ZEBRA HAIRON BRIDLE HEADSTALL BREAST COLLAR RHINESTONE 236    US $95.36

COLOR CHOICE NEW beta biothane western browband headstall bridle 1    US $12.00

NEW beta biothane western 1 one ear show headstall bridle black studded bling    US $15.00

Amish Leather Barb Wire Tooled Western bridle Headstall Horse Tack    US $10.00

The Western bridle is made up of three main parts.

• The Headstall,
• The bit and
• The reins.

The Headstall consists of the Head piece (Crown piece), the cheek pieces and sometimes the brow band and throatlatch.

The Head piece on a Western bridle often goes from the bit on the right side of the horse's head, up over the poll (crown), behind the ears and attaches with a buckle adjustment to the Cheek Piece on the left side of the horses face. Some western bridles have cheek pieces on both sides of the bridle which allow more room for adjusting the bridle to your horse's head.

The Brow Band is the part of the Headstall that goes across the horse's forehead, just above the eyes. It helps hold the bridle in place on the horse's head.

The brow band can be straight across the brow, while other brow bands are two pieces of leather joined in the middle to form a knot, sometimes known as a Futurity Knot.

Not all western headstalls have a brow band. Some western headstalls are known as "One-ear" headstalls.

The headpiece (crown piece) of a One-ear bridle is made from a piece of leather which has openings to fit over the horse's right ear.

Some One-ear headstalls have a loop of leather that fits over the right ear and it slides up and down the crown piece so you can adjust it to fit your horses head. Two-ear headstalls have pieces or openings in the crown piece that fit over both ears.

Some western bridles do not have a Throatlatch. This is the strap on the bridle that goes under the horse's throat and buckles on the left side. It helps to keep the bridle on the horse's head.

REINS

Reins are the steering wheel for the bridle. They come in many different styles and are made from different materials.

Most reins are made of leather or nylon. Some reins are covered with rubber so they do not slip from your fingers.

The Leather Split Reins are the most common reins used with the Western Bridle. They consist of two separate long pieces of leather that are attached to each side of the bit. These leather pieces are either 1/2" or 5/8" wide and vary in length up to 8 feet long. Some split reins have a sliding leather keeper that keeps the reins together.

GAME REIN

The Game Rein is a single rein that has a swivel scissor snap on each end to attach to the bit. These reins are popular with people who ride gymkhana events like barrel racing and pole bending.

Game reins are great for kids. You don't have to worry about the child dropping one of the reins, but since the game rein is much shorter, the horse can easily pull the rein from a child's small hand. These reins can be made of leather, nylon or cotton web.

ENGLISH SADDLES!

All Purpose, Jumping, Dressage

Similar...but Different !

Several different styles of English saddles, each designed for a specific type of equestrian activity. Both the English and the Western saddle are made for comfort, security and purpose.

Like the Western saddle, there are several different types of English saddles. The English saddle offers more contact with the horse and places the rider closer to the horse than the Western Saddle.

EBAY Offers a Large Selection of English Saddles

All Purpose Quilted Cotton English Saddle Pad Burgundy Fun Colors Horse Tack    US $14.49

Skito Equalizer English Saddle Pad Fleece Orthopedic Therapeutic Sport Back Pad    US $117.50

14 ENGLISH BROWN LEATHER JUMP ALL PURPOSE SADDLE    US $59.00

ENGLISH AP SADDLE PAD with EMBROIDERED HORSE HEAD LIVELOVELAUGHNEIGH    US $21.99

ENGLISH AP SADDLE PAD with EMBROIDERED HORSE HEAD and HORSES LEAVE HOOFPRINTS    US $15.99

English Sheepskin saddle seat cover Christ brand FABULOUS    US $39.99

Today's English saddles are either Leather or Synthetic. The synthetic saddle can either be a leather-look alike material or a fabric covering. Synthetic saddles are lighter weight, cheaper and easier to clean.

Instead of oiling the leather saddle, the synthetic can be wiped down with a sponge and water or hosed off. Many riders like to use the synthetic saddle for daily work outs saving their good leather saddles for special occasions and shows.

Most saddles are built upon a solid framework called a tree. This tree can be made of laminated wood, fiberglass or plastic materials.

The first saddle pictured below is a Synthetic English Saddle.  The two photos below it are Leather English Saddles.

ALL PURPOSE SADDLE

The basic model for the English saddle is referred to as the All Purpose (AP) or General Purpose (GP) saddle. It's features make it suitable for all types of riding at a non-professional level. The All Purpose English saddle can be used for pleasure riding, hunting, jumping and basic dressage. This saddle has a deeper seat than close contact jumping saddles, but not as deep as a dressage saddle. The flaps are between those of the dressage saddle or jumping saddle. This makes it the ideal choice for the beginning and non-competitive rider.

CLOSE CONTACT JUMPING SADDLE

The Close Contact Jumping saddle has a shallow seat and flaps are more forward than on the All Purpose Saddle. This design lets the rider to get into their jumping position and gives them security over fences.

DRESSAGE

The Dressage saddle has a deep seat and longer, straighter flaps. This saddle places the rider in an upright position and places the rider's legs close to the horse's sides so subtle aides can be given to the horse.

SADDLEBRED SADDLE

The Saddlebred saddle is designed for showing gaited horses. It has a cut-back pommel and wide saddle flaps. This saddle places the rider much further back than normal.

POLO SADDLE

The Polo saddle has a flat seat, extended sweat flaps and no knee or thigh rolls, all of which all the rider freedom of movement.

Other Types of English Saddles Include

The Show Saddle, Event Saddle and Working Hunter Saddles are among several other English saddle designs.

The saddle is one of the most important and one of the most expensive pieces of equipment that you will buy for your horse. Today's saddle has evolved over the years to the demands of the modern rider. The saddle's design and fit effects both the horse's performance and the rider's position.

MEASURING THE ENGLISH SADDLE

The English saddle seat size is measured differently from the Western Saddle. Place the tape measure on the metal button just below the pommel on the side of the English saddle and go diagonally across the seat to the center edge of the cantle.

Most of the small English saddles that you see for the Miniature Horse or the small pony are All purpose or Jumping saddle styles. They are usually 10" or 12" in seat size. This is equivalent to the 8" and 10" Western saddle seat size.

You will find more Western saddles than English saddles made for the Miniature Horse. I believe when most small children begin to ride, they feel more secure in the Western saddle than they do riding English.