Need new leathers

I was talking to the trainer the other day and told her that I had a hard time posting in my aussie saddle because I felt that my stirrup leathers weren't short enough. However, they can't go any shorter. I told her that when I stand up in the stirrups, there's hardly any space between me and the saddle. She agrees that I probably need new leathers that will go shorter.

So, where would one order new leathers for an aussie saddle? The ones on my (quality) no-name saddle were made by Syd Hill, according to our local tack shop guy who I trust. I looked on eBay, but only found one set of leathers for sale.

Also, how does one know what length leathers one needs?

On a slightly different, but slightly related topic, I need leathers for my English saddle, as well. How do I know what length leathers I need for that saddle? It's a cheap (meh) synthetic saddle, so the leathers don't have to be great, just serviceable.

English leathers come in a LOT of sizes. The average is usually 54"

"To get a general estimate of the length of leather you require, measure the inseam of your leg to the ankle bone. Take that measurement, double it, and add six to eight inches to be sure that you have enough leather to tuck into the leather keeper. Remember that the height of the stirrup iron will add six to eight inches to the overall length."

--Dover Saddlery

As for Aussie.. depends on the type of Aussie you have. Some have fenders that are like western saddles, others are more "English" and probably can find them somewhere on the internet.

My aussie has English-type leathers, which I'd like to keep. I found a few online, but they're all about the same length. I'm halfway tempted to just have my local tack shop make me some.

There isn't a way to punch shorter holes?

(I only know western type aussie fenders, not how the english ones are.. so apologies for any ignorance lol)

If they are one long strap like english ones, punch another hole.

I can't punch another hole in it. They're not like English leathers that are the same width all the way up. They widen out right after the top hole. They are 2" wide where the holes are and the stirrups go, and 3" wide above the top hole. The buckle won't fit over the leather above the top hole. I needed another hole added on my left leather just to make them even (the person who had the saddle before me apparently never rotated their leathers and always mounted from the ground because there was a 1" difference between the left and right leather), so I took it to the local tack shop. He trimmed down the leather and added another hole, but said if I still needed them shorter, that it would be easier just to buy new leathers.

Awww, sorry, no way you can stretch your legs at night on a rack or something?

Did you ask him/her where you could get them?

Is this helpful?

4 Stirrup Fenders [4 Stirrup Fenders] - $89.00 : Cariboo Outback, Australian Saddles & Supplies
http://www.saddleupaussie.com/aussie...-leathers.html
http://www.tackwholesale.com/wide-st...le-p-1548.html
http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/ausqueenstir.html
http://www.onestopequineshop.com/Aus...rs_p_7142.html
http://www.onestopequineshop.com/Aus...rs_c_1526.html

I have heard that you can just use English leathers on an Aussie saddle. I've actually been considering getting some English leathers for my Aussie but I was stopped by the thought of real leather leather + synthetic saddle. eventually though, I'll get some.

But anyway, English leathers and English stirrups on Aussie/stock saddles is apparently a "thing". :)

The guy at the tack shop hinted at having him custom make leathers for me instead of buying them online. *facepalm* lol Gotta love my tack guys.

I like that first link you gave me, though!

Interesting. My saddle is leather, so using English leathers wouldn't be a problem. I need to double check how my leathers actually attach. I honestly haven't ever looked. Lol I'm sure they're just on a stirrup bar, like an English saddle.