Posted 2010-03-04 10:04 AM (#117240) Subject: Gaited Horse Saddle
Veteran
Posts: 161 Location: S. Central Illinois
I am looking for an inexpensive saddle for my 10 year old daughter to ride my hard to fit small-boned MFT. I have a saddle that fits the horse but my daughter is not tall enough to get her feet in the stirups. She has been riding her with her saddle which has quarter horse bars, and it just doesn't fit right. I don't want to spend a lot of money because she probably won't be in the saddle too long. We just trail ride. Thanks for any info.
Dixieland makes a fairly inexpensive gaited saddle. But I wouldn't buy a new saddle for just the 10 year-old to ride in. The saddles are heavy -so I sold mine, but hubby still uses his.
You also might want to check out nylon saddles or the Cashel Soft touch saddle. The Cashel saddle is really a bareback pad but claims to stay on better than regular bareback pads. I personally would rather see a child in a regular saddle for security along with a helmet on the child.
So nice that your daughter enjoys riding with you. Happy trails.
Posted 2010-03-04 12:57 PM (#117247 - in reply to #117245) Subject: RE: Gaited Horse Saddle
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: Gallatin, TN
Is there anyone in your area that could redo the fenders and stirrups for you? We had the opposite problem with my step-son. The saddle fit him great but he was too tall. We took it to a local tack shop that did saddle repair and they added about 6" of length without having to change the fender or look of the saddle. It was also very inexpensive.
Posted 2010-03-04 2:36 PM (#117251 - in reply to #117240) Subject: RE: Gaited Horse Saddle
Veteran
Posts: 161 Location: S. Central Illinois
I thought of that idea, but I also ride the saddle some and didn't know if they could make fenders short enough for her but long enough for me. Good idea, I will have to check it out.
Posted 2010-03-04 7:40 PM (#117258 - in reply to #117240) Subject: RE: Gaited Horse Saddle
Member
Posts: 36 Location: Morrisville, NY
Hi,
have you thought of switching out the western fenders for english stirrup straps for the interim? If you like a wider stirrup platform for your foot, you could get the endurance trail stirrups that come with the top bar that's suitable for that width leathers. How tall is your daughter? I'm a titch less than 5 foot and I can use the "regular" length Tucker fender and they are also long enough for my 5 ft 10 in. hubby. I like the plantation style as they turn easier when shortened to the max although the western fender also works okay... not great, but okay. The "short" fenders might fit both of you as well, all depending. Another possible option - if you'd be interested in treeless, Black Forest just came out with a synthetic western treeless. I think it was about $500. Never have tried treeless, but many like them.
Posted 2010-03-16 1:45 AM (#117656 - in reply to #117240) Subject: RE: Gaited Horse Saddle
Veteran
Posts: 164 Location: Delaware
I agree about the Australian Saddle. Get the wider tree, not draft. I have a wide short backed gaited gelding and ride an australian. Fits him good and you can get the western look fenders with the wide endurance stirups. Australian Stock Saddle Company makes a synthetic cross-over (western style with the poleys) for $400 and you can send the wither tracings to them to make sure it will fit your horse. I saw them at the Horse Expo and sat in one of the synthetic saddles. Liked the look, comfort and personalized service, plus only 14 lbs.
Posted 2010-03-16 6:45 AM (#117661 - in reply to #117240) Subject: RE: Gaited Horse Saddle
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
When my kids were smaller, I went through the same process. I'm tall and long legged, So when i buy saddles they have longer fenders . So I had to find a solution, We tried the stirrups that slip on over the horn, They worked for short rides. But weren't really comfortable for all day rides.
I decided to just go buy an Abetta Cordura saddle in my daughter size. It cost less than $300 brand new. Weighs about 12lbs. So it was easier for my daughters to tack up their own horses. The seat was small enough to be comfortable for the girls to sit in al day and the stirrups we shorten to the right length for my daughters.
There wasn't enough weight on the horse, Saddle and girls didn't weigh enough to bother the horses. So whether it fit or not, it didn't cause sores on the horse like a 200 lb adult riding in a 40 lb saddle. It worked out great. My daughters have graduated up to some of my leather western style saddles and that codura saddle sits around the tack room until a neice or neigbhor kid wants to learn to ride. So I think it was a reasonable investment for us.
Posted 2010-04-06 1:41 AM (#118492 - in reply to #117240) Subject: RE: Gaited Horse Saddle
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
Have you looked at the Abetta synthetic western or endurance style saddles? The new ones have memory foam seats! Anyways, If you get on the buyAbetta.com web-site, they have accessories for the saddles. You can purchase shorter fenders for the kids. I know because I myself have short legs. These saddles weigh only about 15-17 pounds, so are light enough for the kids to lift. I ride long distance and my Abetta has lasted me 8 years and is still going strong. I am hard on my stuff too. These are great saddles for the price. The best price is through TheHorse.com. Formerly known as Country Supply. I paid $385-with free shipping. Can't beat that!
Posted 2010-04-06 1:44 AM (#118493 - in reply to #117240) Subject: RE: Gaited Horse Saddle
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
Oh- I forgot to mention- Abetta just came out with a gaited synthetic saddle. I just bought the endurance saddle with the extra foam seat. I love, love love this saddle. It is sooooo comfy!
Gaited Horse Saddle
