Aussie Saddles vs. Western Saddles?

Hahaha...your not a dag/dork. Once you find what size saddle you are best fitted too, Look up Australian Campdrafters / stockmans forums, you may just hook yourself a bargain on these types of sites...
The link that I posted on my past comment I put there because I liked that they gave you a little on the origin of the Aussie Stock saddle...so my thumbs up for their promotion of Australian saddles. However I do not know what the quality of their saddles are like. Also if you are looking on sites for an Australian Stock Saddle their are some saddles on the market that look good on the eye but are inferiour quality with very weak trees & poor quality leather...Marshall Poley springs to mind here so again all I can say is research, research, research everything & ask lots of questions.
Good luck & happy horsing.

Rawlo

I've always been intrigued by aussie saddles but never sat in one so I have no real input there, but I just thought I would let you in on a good synthetic western saddle, Big horn makes great saddles in some fun colors and mine is really well lasting, I bought my Thouraghly used,, I wasn't sure it would come clean, I did some scrubbing and it's now turquise again! I love it and i've done lots of swimming in rivers, and riding in the rain and it's really lasted me! It's also safe and comfy to ride in, with shorts which I find leather saddles really hurt to ride in with shorts.

Woah, You mean I can ride comfortably in shorts with my Abetta? It's going to be a humid 91degrees F today. Now I'll need to find/dig out my shorts, but why bother I packed them away 2 sizes ago.

A trip to the thrift store is in order.

Yup! I have pics of me riding in my dress and my shorts, it definitely makes better on a hot day!
In my dress


And in shorts, they are basketball shorts but i've also ridden in Soffee's. And this is my Bighorn saddle as well. And in the summer i'm usually always barefoot.. I don't suggest it, but it works for me.

I also have a Downunder Aussie that I got on their clearance page (a Longreach Endurance). Previously I had ridden a lot of western saddles including some synthetic ones but they don't put you in the right equitation seat that the Aussie does. She's gaited and been moving out much better with Aussie.

I have an Australian Outrider Aussie saddle w/o horn and a Circle Y pleasure and trail Western saddle. I love them both but most of the time prefer the Aussie, especially for trail riding and the Aussie is more comfortable, My Appy mare tends to get hot out in open spaces so it is nice to know that I have that little bit of security for that sudden buck or move(the pollies) or that I won't get stabbed with the horn when if she bucks or we jump something.

Will never ride anything other than my Aussie saddle-have ridden in dressage saddles, jumping saddles, all purpose and western. Was blessed enough to come across a basically brand new Syd Hill Bushmaster Supreme saddle in a little country tack store=fully fitted out-$1100.===didn't dicker on price because I knew what a gem this was.

Have used it on my Standardbred and I absolutely love this saddle. It is so light to tack up with-have shoulder issues with heavy weight saddles--you are so secure in the seat with the poleys and the comfort is beyond belief.

This saddle will go to my grave with me!!

If you're use to riding in your western saddle and the way it is rigged but you're looking for a little more comfort and security for trail riding I reckon your best bet would be to go for a good quality Aussie made half breed or swinging fender saddle...these look similar to a stock saddle but they are made on a western tree and they are rigged the same as a western, they don't have the panels underneath like a stock saddle so i've found they have more surface area and distribute the weight evenly over my horses back and they've got knee pads for extra security which is ideal for trails. If your want the extra comfort for hours in the saddle get a aussie saddler to custom make one for your and put in a padded seat, that's what I did and I couldn't be happier!