Ponies are very special indeed, and they deserve the same love and attention as full sized horses.  Deciding whether you can use a regular size saddle or a pony saddle really depends on your pony.

There are nearly as many varieties of ponies as there are horses.  Some are heavy boned and stocky, while others are petite and fine boned.  Before you can decide what type of saddle is right, it is important to know what kind of pony you plan to put it on.

Another consideration is the size of the rider.   Pony saddles seats are designed for small riders who usually are under eighty pounds.  If your rider is larger than that, a pony saddle probably won’t work for you, because of the way it will distribute the weight of the rider.  Many ponies are quite sturdy and can carry a heavier rider, but they need a saddle that fits them correctly first.

If you are currently have behavior issues with your pony, you might want to make sure you don’t have a saddle fit problem.  A poor fitting saddle can make a horse or pony irritable or mad, if it is pinching or making him uncomfortable.   Ponies are very intelligent and the behavior problems can get even worse as they try to relieve their pain or irritation caused by an ill fitting saddle.  So, whether you decide to go with a full size saddle

Regardless of the type of saddle you choose, you need to also choose a cinch that fits.  If your cinch is too big, the saddle may roll off to the side.  If you find that no matter how tight you make the saddle,it is still slipping considerably, you need to get a smaller cinch (Western)  or girth (English).

So before putting anyone on a pony, make sure the pony has a proper fitting saddle, girth and pads.  This will make everyone happier in the long run.

Still confused? Check out the great saddle fitting videos at StateLineTack.com

Once you have purchased the correct sized, it is also important to remember that the position of the saddle on the pony’s back is very important in making sure that the pony is comfortable while being ridden. There are basically three main muscles in the pony’s back which can be negatively affected by bad saddle placement.   Please familiarize yourself with these muscles and their location on your pony before you attempt to position the saddle on the ponys’ back.

The first thing you want to do is place the pony riding saddle on the back of the pony forward of the wither. Once you have done this, slide it backward down the pony until it cannot go any further. Do not force it. You should see now that the lowest part of the saddle should correspond to the lowest part of the pony’s back. In order to verify that you positioned saddle correctly, the saddle tree should not press on the scapula or shoulder of the pony. It should lie in the groove behind it. This is a common mistake when positioning a saddle. People have a tendency to place the saddle too far up and put pressure on the scapula of the pony. This can hamper the movement of the pony as well as create saddle sores.

Properly fitting your pony saddle to your pony will come easier after the first couple times you do it. It is worth taking the time to learn the correct way to do this in order for your pony to remain happy and healthy.

Still confused?  Check out the great saddle fitting videos at StateLineTack.com

All Purpose Pony Saddle

The all purpose pony saddle was designed to be used to both over fences and on the flat. Having one saddle that can be used for both is ideal for event riders, because they do not have to changes saddles during each of the phases. The same saddle can be used for dressage, stadium jumping and cross country. Of course this saddle could also be used for both hunt seat.

Close Contact Pony Saddle

A close contact pony saddle is designed to be used for hunt seat, which involves working the horse on the flat and over fences. This saddle could also be used for show jumping (jumpers).

Dressage Pony Saddle

A dressage pony saddle is designed to only be used for dressage or in the dressage phase of eventing. A dressage pony saddle is not designed for jumping.

Leadline Pony Saddle

A leadline pony saddle is designed for very young children who are being lead by someone else. They are used in hunt seat shows in leadline classes.

Western Pony Saddles

Western Pony Saddles are designed for Western pleasure riding and Western shows.