Is it ok to put my 40-pound daughter on her with a child saddle?

QUESTION: 

I have a 16-month-old colt, is it ok to put my 40-pound daughter on her with a child saddle? Will it hurt her back? She is very gentle; I just do not want to hurt her!

ANSWER:

Lisa,

“NO”, it is not ok to put your little forty-pound daughter on a yearling. You mentioned that you do not want to hurt her, and that you also do not want to hurt her back. Are you referring to the horse, or your daughter? It sounds like you are referring to the horse. DO NOT PUT YOUR SMALL CHILD ON A YEARLING!

Mark