Arena By Bates Children's General Purpose Saddle Adjustable Leather HART 14'

Begin your riding journey with the Arena Children's General Purpose, a saddle created just for young riders learning horsemanship. With specially positioned stirrup bars and a youth-focused design, this saddle helps you find natural balance and control of your pony. Whether you're mastering your first rising trot or heading to shows, this beautiful leather saddle makes learning to ride easier and more fun.

Take your first steps on your riding journey with a saddle designed for young equestrians from the start.

The Arena Children's General Purpose saddle combines thoughtful design with complete comfort, making it the perfect foundation for learning young riders.

Made for learning to ride on your pony

Experience the difference a child-specific saddle can make. The specially designed seat shape works with growing bodies instead of against them, creating a natural position that helps you feel secure and balanced. This enhanced support gives you the confidence to develop proper techniques and master new skills, whether you're learning in lessons or enjoying your first show day.

Developed to help you learn while feeling safe

Strategic stirrup bar placement provides reliable stability without forcing an awkward position, helping you maintain proper form as you master rising trot and steering. The thoughtful design promotes correct alignment while allowing the freedom of movement you need when learning independent riding skills.

Suitable for lessons or leisure riding

Make a positive impression in any riding situation with the refined appearance. The classic lines and quality leather finish ensure you'll look the part for all the right reasons, while the practical design holds up to the demands of regular lessons and pony adventures.

Great value first saddle for young riders

As your first leather saddle, this all-purpose design incorporates the attention to detail and quality materials that make learning enjoyable and effective. The combination of youth-focused engineering and attainable pricing makes it an ideal choice for dedicated young riders building their basic skills.

Begin your journey to horsemanship with a saddle that understands where you're starting—and helps you build confidence with every ride.

These saddles are sold as standard with a Medium Wide width (Black) Easy Change Gullet. All other gullet sizes from Narrow to Extra Wide are available on our separate listing and are sold separately.

Arena Stirrup Leathers are available in 100 cm/40' to perfectly complement the Arena Children's General Purpose.

Features:

Beautiful detail, Comfortable for you and your horse, European leather, Quality workmanship

We strongly recommend fitting these saddles under the guidance of a Arena trained saddler.

When trying on your saddle please ensure you use a clean saddlecloth and do not remove any tags. Saddles which have had the tags removed, been sat on, girthed up, ridden on or show any signs of use cannot be returned.

Saddle Fitting Information

After your initial saddle fit, we recommend that you have the fit of your saddle checked within the first three months, as it will settle in the head during the initial riding period, as is standard with all new saddles. Following this initial settling in period, your saddle fit should then be assessed every six months throughout your saddle’s life to ensure the saddle continues to fit correctly, as your horse changes shape according to its age, level of fitness and work program. It is always recommended that you seek ongoing professional advice on your horse’s saddle fit, where possible. However the following information can assist you in not only assessing your horse’s saddle fit, but understanding when simple adjustments should be made.

In order to check the clearance, bearing and balance of a saddle, it is important that the saddle is positioned correctly. All fitting adjustments and saddle alterations should be made in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations.

Ensure your horse is standing square and is on level ground. Locate your horse’s shoulder and check to see that the nail of the saddle is approximately three fingers distance from the edge of your horse’s shoulder.

Checking for sufficient clearance

Sufficient clearance of your horse’s wither, across the width and length of the spine, should be maintained at all times. Check to see that the channel of the saddle is clear of your horse’s wither and spine through the length of the saddle.

Checking for even bearing

Your saddle should bear evenly on your horse’s back, providing a close fit. Run your hand between your horse and the panel of your saddle to check for even bearing. If your saddle features the CAIR Cushion System, it is important that a rider sits in the saddle to check the bearing, as the air becomes dynamic under the rider’s weight.

Checking for a balanced seat

Check that the deepest part of the saddle seat is central and level to ensure perfect saddle balance. Should your saddle require further adjustments select the optimal combination of EASY-CHANGE Risers to achieve sufficient clearance, even bearing and perfect balance.

NB. The innovative systems in our saddles offer unsurpassed flexibility in achieving an optimal fit, however, no one saddle can claim to fit any horse. It is always recommended you seek ongoing professional advice on the fit and in meeting the unique needs of each horse/rider combination.

We are one of the largest independent retailers of Arena in the UK and a verified premium stockist giving us access to the entire range. Our sales advisors all use these products on a daily basis so are able to offer you expert advice. If you need any assistance in selecting the right item for you or your horse please don't hesitate to contact us.