How to take a toddler horseback riding

[Kim919]

How did people used to ride horses with toddlers? Do you just sit them in front of you on the saddle and hold them with one arm and ride western using the other? My DD is 2 1/2 and this is what we have done for short rides, but I question weather that is the only/best option for longer rides.

It seems like there are seats and trailers for bikes, backpacks for hiking, jogging strollers, etc. and there must be some way people make this work too.I KNOW that there was a period in history where this had to have been the norm. I don't love the idea of a backpack, as she will be riding with her father (who is a better rider than I am and who is on a more reliable horse) and he isn't a backpack kind of guy, and I think it would throw off your center of gravity, and it seems really dangerous to be in such a constrained situation if a fall ever did occur.

I have googled this and found nothing. Anybody know of any special saddles? Saddle attachments (like so the child was able to use stirrups for balance as well)? Belts - like belt to belt with quick release type harness systems between the child and the rider? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[dejagerw]

One thing I can think of is to be sure she's wearing a helmet. Also, maybe you could make something like this work.

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=536369&cmSource=Search

But obviously only as a back up. I would still think you'd want a hand on the child.

[caenach]

I think my preference for a very young child would be riding with them in front of the saddle. It's easy to keep one/both arms around the child and hold the reins in front. The most comfortable for me, I think, was the leather two-person bareback pad that we had when I was a kid, but obviously not an option for all riders. There are "buddy" seats/tandem saddles for older kids that strap on behind the saddle and have their own stirrups. But I would be more comfortable with that option for an older child.