Side Saddle

[Snowyboy]

Since last July, daughter who is just 6 has been obsessed with learning side saddle

Shes not wavered in this - she just loves it - she thinks it looks amazing!

Most of her horse drawings are of side saddle and Minnie Mouse is dressed in her side saddle habit (!) and rides side saddle on Baby Born's pony!!!

IF you can get small enough saddles - can kids this young have a go at side saddle???

She is small for age - long legs mind you!

 

[vasey]

Firstly good luck in finding a small side saddle!

I don't see why not! I learnt side saddle when I was around 3/4yrs old! I had balance problems when I was younger, and it was the only way I could stay on!

I still ride side saddle now - but only on specific horses! not all horses would go side saddle!

Definately give it a go!

 

[Wally]

Side saddles that small to fit kids are like rocking horse poo and hen's teeth.

There is a specialist who will make you a kid's side saddle in Malvern, one of the good makers in the UK., but be prepared to part with £3000 plus, but resale is good. Barry Swaine in Walsall is one of the best, but you'll pay for the job he does.

A side saddle MUST fit the rider, it's not like an astride saddle where you can wing it in a saddle that's a bit big or small.

you can't just plonk a kid on any pony with a side saddle and expect the pony to work sense. Kid's side saddle ponies are rare these days.

What you are looking into is such a specialist market, the price will reflect this.

 

[Snowyboy]

thanks

just my luck - she wants to do the expensive bit

I think we'll stick to the trailer to start!

And I kinda forgot the bit about the pony being a side saddle pony


We'll have to think about tis a bit - she is too young to specialise in my opinion

Mind you this is the child that wants to play the harp!

Funny kid isn't she!

 

[Em 1]

There is a specialist who will make you a kid's side saddle in Malvern, one of the good makers in the UK., but be prepared to part with £3000 plus, but resale is good.

Do you mean Rob Jenkins, Wally? If so, he now produces a pony pilch side saddle for £650. Not a cheap option but much less than a new tiny pony saddle! It would certainly be a starting point
( http://www.saddlethathorse.com/browseProducts.asp?pgId=5&psgId=124 )

Roughly where in South Wales are you Snowyboy?

 

[rtk]

Why not let her have some lesson first to see if she really likes it. Then you can hire a saddle. There are a few people who will come out and fit a hire saddle on pony and her.

I found this forum really useful for contacts http://www.ride2theside.co.uk/forum/default.asp