I have a Horton Steel Force as well (I assume they are the same kind based on your description of the trigger). My dad won it in a raffle and never used it, so I've used it some. Is yours a recurve as well? Did you buy it used? The one I have must be roughly 10 years old by now.
If yours matches the description of mine above, then part of the problem is that the Steel Force pre-dates the inclusion of decent trigger assemblies on entry-level crossbows.
One thing you could do is have an archery shop inspect it to see if the trigger can be tuned/upgraded for a reasonably small amount of money.
I got to the point of pulling the trigger with my middle finger, because the pull was so long that I found myself canting the bow to the side at the end of the shot sequence, and using the other finger seemed to help that. I agree that the trigger pull would be pretty difficult for smaller kids.
Some of the crossbow reviews you see in magazines like Outdoor Life and Field & Stream will specifically address the quality of the trigger and the weight of pull. I like this, because it draws attention to that design aspect, and it seems like crossbow manufacturers have been stepping up their game in that department over the years. I don't archery hunt much at all (didn't even go last year), so I can't justify upgrading bows. If I decide to get back into it if/when time permits, I will likely be buying a better crossbow.
