Hacking?

I've always ridden English, but the horse I lease does Western too. I don't know why but I chose a western saddle to go on a hack (I haven't been on one before, although I've ridden for a long time). I was sooo glad I did after going up and down steep hills. The problem is, I don't feel as balanced in a western saddle, especially at the canter. I sure like the horn though. Do any of you hack out and use a neck strap for balance up steep inclines?

I don't personally because I ride western but I have heard of a lot of people using neck straps going uphill. One thing you may want to think about though is if you are going up and down VERY steep hills, you may want to invest in a breast plate and a crupper for your english saddle just to keep it from sliding around. :)

Have you ever tried an Australian/Australian Hybrid saddle?

No I haven't tried an Aussie saddle. The thing is that it's not my horse, she's got both western and English tack. I don't want to buy a saddle for a horse that isn't mine. Things like breast plates, neck straps, etc are easy enough to fit to another horse, or if not they're not a 2000 investment :).