The Best Way To Choose A Western Saddle For Your Child

Whenever choosing the best western saddle for any child there are several choices to make. Plenty of children acquire a fascination and love for horses at an early age. Who knows why. It is simply just a fact. Children are usually completely unafraid and captivated by these kinds of large, gentle animals. This relationship is one that will last a lifetime. The old saying that horses come between toys and boys for girls is probably several parents wishful thinking.

Children usually begin riding as soon as they are able to sit up by themselves in a saddle. The saddle is the most expensive piece of equipment you will buy after getting the horse or pony. The saddle should fit the horse as well as the child. You need to have the horse or pony your son or daughter will be riding prior to getting the saddle. A good quality saddle will last for very many years. Regrettably, a child can quickly grow out of a small saddle. Keeping this in mind, you will need to decide the amount of money you would like to invest in a saddle. In the event that there are several children in the family that will be using the saddle might help ease the financial pain.

Various factors take into consideration before you purchase your saddle are:

1. Leather of excellent quality can last a lifetime. Beware of very poor quality of leather.

2. Artificial (man made materials) includes canvas cloth, cordura or neoprene among other types of materials. Synthetic saddles are light-weight saddles and are available in a number of bright colors.

3. Used or new.

4. Type of Saddle. Will this saddle be used for pleasure or perhaps shows.

5. Cost – Amount of cash you intend to spend.

One feature that is very important when looking for a western saddle for your child will be the height of the cantle. The actual cantle is the raised rear part of the saddle seat. The taller the cantle, the much deeper the seat, the better with regard to helping the child stay seated in the saddle. Choose a 5 cantle height. Barrel racing style western saddles as a rule have deeper seats. There are normally a larger number of small child size saddles when looking at the barrel style western saddles.

So that you can measure the western saddle, take a ruler or tape and measure from the back of the swell-pommel, just underneath the horn base and go directly across the seat to the inner rim of the cantle. Western saddles that can actually be used on a horse or pony can be as small as 7 and as large as 20.

Below is a general Western saddle size guideline.

7 to 8 for the Very Small Child, Toddler under 3 years

10 for an Average Size Small Child, 3-6 years old

12 for an Average Size child, 7-10 years old

13 for an average Youth size or large child

14 for a Small Adult size

15 for an Average Adult size

16 to 20 for Larger Adults

A number of small riders have a difficult time reaching the stirrups. All the leather, padding and skirts on Western saddles make it more difficult to raise the stirrups short enough for little, short legs to reach them. Measuring the child’s inseam provides you with an idea of just how short you’ll need the stirrups to go. On the saddle, measure from the center of the seat down to the location where the foot rests in the stirrups when the stirrups are pulled up as high as they’re going to go.

A typical rule of thumb for the 10 western saddle is 20 at the shortest. Any shorter and the stirrups have difficulty turning so the child’s toes are pointed forward. The 12 western saddle stirrup length is usually 22 at the shortest. There are various different stirrup helpers readily available. These consist of nylon webbing with stirrups attached. The nylon webbing usually wraps around the saddle horn and the stirrups may be adjusted to suit the shorter legs.

By using proper care and also maintenance, a saddle can last for countless years. The Western saddle’s design and fit can have a large affect on both the horse’s performance and the rider’s position and comfort. An ill fitting saddle could cause the horse considerable discomfort as well as physical damage. The perfect scenario is if you’re able to try out the saddle for a day or two. Make certain it fits your child and also the horse or pony it will likely be used on before making your final decision.

Wanting to find the best prices on Big Horn Saddles, in that case have a look at Reg’s site to discover the best advice on Horse Saddles For Sale for you.