Hi

I am very new to owning a horse, in fact I haven't even picked him up yet. But my problem is he is a thoroughbred stands 16H and my father has bought an endurance saddle for my daughter to use. She is six and the horse is the one she has been learning to ride. Is this the right sort of saddle for this type of horse? Can anyone help me. I do have another saddle that her teacher has given to her, but it needs repairs, so I need to know just in case I need to get it repaired sooner rather than later.
Thanks

Trudy

Don't worry you'll get the hang of it.
The 2 major things.
Does it fit her-When she sits in the center of the saddle, you should be able to put your hand flat palm down 1 finger @ her tail bone and the other should be @ the back of the saddle. More than five fingers=to big, less than=to small.
Does it fit the horse-Set the saddle on the horse[no pad], you should be able to see day light all the way under from front to back at the spine.
Gently slide your hand under it at all the edges,points of contact, it should feel on your fingers as heavy as the saddle, no tight/heavy places. It also should touch everywhere, it should not have any places that don't have contact. Except straight down the spine.
Take something round a pen works well, let it settle in the seat, it should rest at the center, not towards the front or back.
In general, if all of those seem to be Ok, the saddle should generally be Ok.
If the horse starts be act badly or uncharacteristic, may be caused by poorly fitting tack.
Good Luck.

Thanks I will as soon as he gets the saddle to me. Lucky I know the horse I'm getting her. I should trust my father just worried he is getting old, but he knew to get her a 14" saddle and that is what her instructor has got for her. I just get confused as there seems to be particular saddles for different breeds depending on what you want to do with the horse. I will however print out your reply and double check when the saddle arrives in three weeks. Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post...

Hello! English or Western endurance? Is she an experienced rider/ accustomed to one or the other?

Personally, for beginners or little riders, I feel safer with using a western: more "handles" for emergencies -(Higher, bigger cantle, saddle horn, pommel, and any extra "straps" the Western saddle will have that the english does not) unless she is used to riding in an english saddle, will make a difference.

Yes, saddle fitting also one of the 1st factors.

Good luck to both of you. Let us know how she does and post some piccys if you'd like!