Tack to fit a 14.2 hh pony and petite eight year old

[whenyoufeellikeyourflying]

Hello,
Was hoping someone could help. I help out at a riding school and we are having a tack dilemma. We have a 14.2hh jumping pony and an eight year old girl who has just started to ride her but the saddle that the pony has at the moment (16.5) we are worrying is too big for the girl as she slips around quite a bit. So if the pony wore say a 14 inch saddle/ 15 inch saddle would that damage the horse or be uncomfortable.
Thank you so much,
Sophie

 

[Jessey]

You'd really need a saddle fitter to come out and assess the ponies back in the flesh, but generally speaking you can get away with smaller saddles.

 

[whenyoufeellikeyourflying]

Thank you will look into it!!! Maybe we will try one of the other smaller ponies saddles to see if it fits

 

[Jessey]

Thank you will look into it!!! Maybe we will try one of the other smaller ponies saddles to see if it fits

It requires specialist training to judge if a saddle fits properly, you really need a professional to help you.

 

[PePo]

Ditto @Jessey .

This becomes even more important if the horse is going to be working hard in the saddle.

 

[whenyoufeellikeyourflying]

Ok we will definitely get a saddle fitter to come out and check that the smaller saddle fits. Thank you for your advice

 

[carthorse]

As a stop gap until you can get a saddler out it might help to fit a suede, or other grippy material, seat saver to the saddle. Make sure it fits the saddle securely though, there's no point in it giving the rider some grip if it slips on the saddle.

 

[whenyoufeellikeyourflying]

Ok thank you good idea.