Posted 2007-01-17 10:54 PM (#54015) Subject: Youth English (hunt seat) Saddle - What size?
Regular
Posts: 70 Location: Cold Spring, KY
I'm thinking of getting my daughter an english, all-purpose saddle - looking to buy used. She'll be 10 next month and is pretty tall for her age - 4'9" and weighs 85 lbs. Does anyone have a guess at what size she would take? I had her try the saddle of another girl where she takes lessons, it was a 15" forward seat and it was really small for my daughter. I have a 17.5" Stuebben, but that would be way too big for her. The obvious answer would be 16 or 16.5, but that still sounds big. Any guesses or experience on what size she might take?
Posted 2007-01-18 11:43 AM (#54043 - in reply to #54015) Subject: RE: Youth English (hunt seat) Saddle - What size?
Location: KY
As you know, a lot depends on the particular saddle. If you are looking for used, my suggestion would be to look at 16" since even if it is a little large at first, she should be able to use it longer before outgrowing it.
If there are shops in your area that handle consignment saddles, they will probably let you check them out to try. Also remember the tree size for fitting the horse. Good luck and happy shopping.
Posted 2007-01-19 1:04 PM (#54109 - in reply to #54015) Subject: RE: Youth English (hunt seat) Saddle - What size?
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
Try several saddles and BRANDS, I've found a wide variation is brands when trying to fit students. Most really good tack shops have used saddles if not try http://www.charlottes-saddlery.com/ and they with a deposit can send you saddles to try, I think they call it practice ride?
A good all purpose saddle shouldn't be hard to find in her size. I doubt the 15" was too big. Your daughter sounds like a 16" might be too big, unless she's got a booty. When she sits in the lowest part of the seat upright(pelvis tipped slightly forward)you should be able to fit your hand between where her rear touches the saddle and the top edge of the seat. If your pinky hangs off go up about a half inch. I rode in a 16" Hermes all the way until I was 18 and my booty grew.
The leg flaps are a whole different ball game. When her leg is in perfect position and I don't mean long and straight(think more two-point), there should be about two fingers between the front of her knee and the edge of the flap. If this seems to small she may need a longer or more forward flap. Usually this only happens in the really tall riders.
The toughest part is to fit your horse. If the saddle fits the rider and not the horse both will hate riding, the horse will act up and your daughter will think all horses are nasty. Fit the horse first then the rider. No amount of saddle pad can fix a poorly fit saddle!
If your saddle fits the horse see if they make other models suitable for her.
Posted 2007-02-01 11:26 PM (#54875 - in reply to #54015) Subject: RE: Youth English (hunt seat) Saddle - What size?
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
A high quality used saddle would be a superior choice to the saddle pictured above. Cheap(poorly built, not $) saddles hurt horses, hurting horses act snotty, kids don't like snotty horses...any questions?
Quality saddles hold their value and can be sold again.
Posted 2007-02-04 12:24 AM (#55021 - in reply to #54015) Subject: RE: Youth English (hunt seat) Saddle - What size?
Location: KY
While a Colligiate saddle may not be a County, Stubben or Smith Worthington, I believe it is a quality saddle brand; however, I may be mistaken. Huntseat, what brands do you prefer?
Youth English (hunt seat) Saddle - What size?
