Australian Saddles

[Shadowlark]

Ok, I know I know..another saddle thread.

I am finding that Saddle makers seem to finally making australian saddles in something other then "australian ridgeback horse" size and some american makers are starting to offer them in real sizes with full QH bars and real gullet widths. SOO I find myself with a renewed interest. The last time I tried to do this, I sent one measurement to two places and the answer was.. We don't make them to fit mack trucks..

There are several things I like about them. The look for one, the twist tends to be better than my barrel saddles (no suprise there :D) The big spine clearance. I generaly like where they put your leg also. Never mind the nice deep STAY PUT seat.

How much does a wool surge panel actually "forgive" I have read all sorts of stuff on it packing down and how to refluff it etc etc. I will have to go site unseen which is always scarry esp on a saddle with a lower resale value (aussie saddles just arn't that popular) So I guess I am wondering about my margin of error. The company's I have looked at had great return policy's but still.. back and forth over the border.. shipping etc never fun for the pocket book.

I like wool bases, they breath well and allow for some play - but I realize they do require up keep. Not the easiest thing with no saddlers around me :rolleyes:

I am looking at ones with wood tree's reinforced with steel, wool surge pannels etc. not the cheap'o crap on ebay. (for the record ;))

[Roheryn]

Hi, I just read your post. I searched "Australian saddle" and found it. Have you ever gotten an Australian saddle?

the twist tends to be better than my barrel saddles (no suprise there )

Is it wider or narrower?

There was a synthetic one (Wintec?) at a tack shop here several months ago. I liked the look of it but at that time I was still really trying to do dressage in a proper dressage saddle so I didn't even try the Australian one. But I've started thinking about them more. You've posted some really good advice about western saddles so I'd really be interested in your opinions of Australian saddles. Like you, I like the way they look.

[Shadowlark]

I would still love to get one.. but have never been able to find one to actually FIT. Around here the choices are minimal so I would have to gamble and bring one up from the US and I just havn't been willing to run that crap shoot.. YET.

I did contact Kates saddlery.. www.kates.net They were super helpful and very honest.. they took one look at SPlash's wither tracing and informed me that they were sorry, but they would have to custom build a saddle to fit a mack truck.. They were very friendly and knowledgeable.

Narrower by a long shot :)

As with any saddle.. you will get what you pay for :) I have yet to hear anything even close to good about the synthetics tho.

[Roheryn]

I've done a bit more looking since I last posted and I found an Australian saddler that gives prices in US dollars (tho' not in Canadian ones, alas). Prices are reasonable but the shipping would probably cost as much as the saddle! Anyway, it's here:
http://shop.valleycountry.com.au/catalogue/category2/category109/category118

There is an Australian saddle at the barn and I think I will try it on my guy tomorrow. He isn't quite a Mack truck but he is fairly stocky. I will let you know if the saddle fits. He wears a regular or medium tree in an English saddle and semi-QH bars in a western (though could probably wear full-QH bars with a thick pad and blanket). How wide is Splash?

I like wide twists, I think (at least I prefer the width of my western saddle to all the English ones except the Wintec 500).

[Horsewoman]

Hi, I just read your post. I searched "Australian saddle" and found it. Have you ever gotten an Australian saddle?



Is it wider or narrower?

There was a synthetic one (Wintec?) at a tack shop here several months ago. I liked the look of it but at that time I was still really trying to do dressage in a proper dressage saddle so I didn't even try the Australian one. But I've started thinking about them more. You've posted some really good advice about western saddles so I'd really be interested in your opinions of Australian saddles. Like you, I like the way they look.

Australian "stock" saddles are often used for endurance riding here. We use one on one of our horses for everyday riding and both he and the rider find it very comfy.

[Roheryn]

Shadowlark--
One person at our barn has a Kimberley Campdrafter. I tried it on my guy and it was WAY too wide for him (he's a QH but not as wide as some). I thought it would probably fit a Mack truck (or Splash). I wanted to try it on our resident draft x but her people weren't around so I couldn't. I thought if it fit her it might fit Splash.

I then tried a Wintec Australian on my guy and it fit both of us perfectly. I think I might prefer the Wintec Pro Stock with the "flying fenders" (western fenders and stirrups). I really liked the Wintec I tried but not the "flying leathers" or the metal English stirrups.

For now I think I'll stick to my little synthetic western (it's paid for and comfy :) ). I don't know the width or size of the Campdrafter but could try to find out if you'd like.

Are people supposed to post the trot in Australian saddles? The poleys kept digging into my thighs.