Inquiry on australian saddles

I have been told by a few people that australian saddles are fantastic for spending long hours on horseback. From what I've seen, they're a mix of classic and western saddles, kind of bringing together the best from both worlds. I hear they are fairly lightweight and that is a very important thing for my riding style. I would just like to have your feedback on this type of saddle and also, for those who own one, tell me what it is you do on horseback with that kind of equipment.

Well the last time I rode in one, I got bucked off bronco style!
(but that wasn't the saddle's fault, or mine! No one told me the horse was as loony as he was and I asked him to canter and he didn't like that much.)

Other than that I don't have much experience with them, lol. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

It's alright thanks anyways

I love the aussie saddle! I haven't actually ridden in one, I've sat in one though. I love how it's a cross between the english and western saddles. I mainly go western, I started in western, so I am not very comfortable in english, but I love how the english saddles look on a horse. So to be able to have the great look as well as a the comfort, is awesome. Everything I've ever heard about the aussie saddle is that it's the most comfortable for your horse AS WELL as the rider.

I bought one to ride last fall when was looking for saddle. It was rather comfy to sit in (although I like western more) and lightweight, but somehow it slide all the time just horribly as long as my qh was trotting. MAy be because it was on cheaper side, not one of those $$$ ones. So I returned it back after week of trying and got nice comfy western saddle. :)

I have one out in my tack shed covered in dust Its a cheapy one and I just didn't like it. I plan to use it for starting my youngins under saddle, without me on them of course. If they bust it up its no great loss.

I have a grand Aussie saddle that I could never part with even though I can't use it anymore. I used to use the saddle on a lesson horse but now that I have my own horse and a different barn the tree is to wide for him so I can't use it. It is absolutely the most comfortable saddle your bum will ever rest in. I used to ride all day long in that thing and feel like a thousand bucks after. As far as light weight, Aussie saddles can range between 20-30lbs depending on the make but rarely heavier than 30. I say most are about 27lbs. Mine is about that much and so is my moms and my friends barn's saddles are around there too. They are lighter than some and most western saddles (that aren't synthetic anyway) but quite a few good pounds heavier than any English saddle.

Aussie saddles can come with either horns or no horns, English style stirrup irons or western style stirrups. Some come with fenders and some come with just leathers. The cantle is usually 5" deep and the pommel and horn are more on the short side. The Australian saddle is the only saddle originally designed for a riders safety. The more western style saddles are typically called "Stock Seat." I don't know too much about them but here's some pics anyway. The rigging goes both ways and there's even an "Aussie" way of rigging that is way beyond me. I prefer the western rigging style.

HORN W/ IRONS
http://www.saddleteam.com/images/stocpolaussa.jpg

HORN W/ WESTERN STIRRUP (I want this saddle! )
http://tackforsale.dodgecreekstables...ssieSaddle.JPG

HORNLESS W/ WESTERN STIRRUP
http://www.paylesssaddles.com/images/1010_small.jpg

HORNLESS W/ IRONS
http://www.horizonusedtack.com/weste...e/300319lg.jpg

Thanks Abby. Do you have pictures of a horse completely geared up australian style? Also, I heard there's a special way of checking if an australian saddle fits your horse. Any idea what it is?

:) Hey guys... are you refering to Australian Stock saddles?

I have a wintec pro stock saddle and it is the most comfy saddle ever!!! However it is a synthetic one and some people don't like that. But if you like leather the saddle needs to of really good quality, if its not it can be hard and not to great to ride in (thats my opinion anyway:) my sis has a cheapo one and its horrible!