Aussie Saddle

Lance · 08-31-2006, 11:28 AM

I rode on an Aussie saddle (w/horn) for the first time a couple of weeks ago and was pretty impressed. Can any of you experienced with both Western and Aussie saddles provide any comments concerning Western vs. Aussie?

P.S. Forgive me if this has been asked many times before....

Varisha · 08-31-2006, 11:34 AM

gonna lurk in this one

I would want to know as well.

wrightdanes · 08-31-2006, 12:27 PM

Western saddles tend to sit you further back on the horse. I find them too broad for my hips, with all the leather, latigo, and padding. I also don't like how western saddles rest on the horses spine in the back where the fenders are sew together at the top below the cantle. . (I ride in both a Billy Cook (hate it) and a Dakato roper (barely better) Aussie saddles are essentially English with thigh rolls and some with the horn. (I ride in a downunder syndey aussielite. They do have a differrent girthing system (overgirth), but not terribly different from english. They also have different leathers, again, not terribly different than english. The biggest problem I have with aussie sadlles is how they ride on the horses loins, since most of them have a panelled gullet that rides lower onto the horses rib cage. Does that make any sense at all?

I do like the security of the Aussie saddle, and for ponying I like the horn feature. I've nearly been pulled out of the saddle by a fast pony and a slow leader.

Lance · 09-01-2006, 08:25 AM

Thanks for the info!

3Bays · 09-01-2006, 10:10 AM

wrightdanes,

I am also wanting to learn more about the Aussie saddles and really liked your description/info!

Can you also tell me about that "overgirth" thing? Everytime I see a photo of an Aussie saddle I see that overgirth and (now I know this is gonna sound DUMB!!!) it looks as if it would be VERY uncomfy to sit on...DO you sit ON it? Wow, see how ignorant I am!

So, what does it do and why is there an OVERgirth on an Aussie saddle??? (Thanks for not laughing TOO hard!)

DraftXLuvr · 09-08-2006, 09:23 AM

I ride an Australian saddle. It is a Trailmaster from Down Under Saddle Supply. It is a little different than the stock saddles as it has extended bars more similar to a western saddle rather than serge panels like an English saddle. I do use the over girth system. It's hard to explain in words, but basically it is a girth that goes in a complete circle around your horse and saddle, rather than just connecting to the bottom of the saddle. It is supposed to be more secure and also you are able to tighten the girth easier with the Aussie rigging that goes thorugh buckles on one side like an English saddle, and the other side has one English type billet and then a D-ring. The Aussie girth will have a billet on it and that goes under and through the D ring and fastens back into the girth on a buckle. You don't sit directly on top of the overgirth with your seat bones, but it will be under your thighs a bit. It never bothers me, and I forget it is there.

I love Aussie saddles for the security on the trail. Our trails have very steep hills and when I am going down a hill the poleys on an Aussie saddle (fender type pads in front of the thigh) keep me secure in my saddle and stop me from sliding forward. I had a horn added to mine just so I could hang a bag there and tie a lead rope if I wated.

BluEyedCowgurl · 09-08-2006, 09:27 AM

I ride in a Kimberly from Downunder supply...it's by far one of the most comfortable saddles I have ever had the pleasure of riding in. What more can I add to what wrightdanes has written? Perfect discription of the differences. I love mine for long trail rides...I stay comfy all day, and that's saying something with how bad my knees are! Mine doesn't have a horn, but one day I'd like to have a horned one just because I normally find some use for the horns on my western saddles.

Goonhorse · 09-08-2006, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Bays

wrightdanes,

I am also wanting to learn more about the Aussie saddles and really liked your description/info!

Can you also tell me about that "overgirth" thing? Everytime I see a photo of an Aussie saddle I see that overgirth and (now I know this is gonna sound DUMB!!!) it looks as if it would be VERY uncomfy to sit on...DO you sit ON it? Wow, see how ignorant I am!

So, what does it do and why is there an OVERgirth on an Aussie saddle??? (Thanks for not laughing TOO hard!)

Well this is kinda late, but I'm guess by the overgirth you mean how the girth goes up through the saddle and over the 'seat' of the saddle. I have ridden in an Aussie saddle, though not a whole lot. I've never had a problem with it, though I do know a guy (I'm not sure if you're a guy or a girl

) who wasn't impressed by it. But that's the only person I've heard of that didn't like it. If it bothers you, you can always buy a fleece 'seat saver' type thing to put over your saddle. Makes you look kinda wimpy, but if you like the Australian saddle otherwise...

Lance · 09-08-2006, 10:35 AM

This is all good info. The more I ride on the Australian saddle the more I'm lovin' it. It's got the best of both worlds, IMHO.

Midnight Felicity · 09-08-2006, 05:15 PM

Oh i love a good Aussie saddle, and the plus is that you could essentially jump in them if you wanted too.

08-31-2006, 11:28 AM	#1
Lance Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 19	Aussie Saddle I rode on an Aussie saddle (w/horn) for the first time a couple of weeks ago and was pretty impressed. Can any of you experienced with both Western and Aussie saddles provide any comments concerning Western vs. Aussie? P.S. Forgive me if this has been asked many times before....

08-31-2006, 11:34 AM	#2
Varisha Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mid - USA Posts: 2,162 Images: 117 Blog Entries: 1	gonna lurk in this one I would want to know as well. __________________ Please don't condemn me I chose not this path It was a part of me before my time began This path is not easy, why would I chose to walk it Please don't condemn me I chose not these emotions They are intertwined with my soul I can not but feel love for all of mankind

09-08-2006, 09:27 AM	#7
BluEyedCowgurl Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: MT Posts: 742 Images: 46	I ride in a Kimberly from Downunder supply...it's by far one of the most comfortable saddles I have ever had the pleasure of riding in. What more can I add to what wrightdanes has written? Perfect discription of the differences. I love mine for long trail rides...I stay comfy all day, and that's saying something with how bad my knees are! Mine doesn't have a horn, but one day I'd like to have a horned one just because I normally find some use for the horns on my western saddles. __________________ Everytime you ride, you're either teaching or un-teaching your horse.

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08-31-2006, 12:27 PM	#3
wrightdanes Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 921 Images: 1	Western saddles tend to sit you further back on the horse. I find them too broad for my hips, with all the leather, latigo, and padding. I also don't like how western saddles rest on the horses spine in the back where the fenders are sew together at the top below the cantle. . (I ride in both a Billy Cook (hate it) and a Dakato roper (barely better) Aussie saddles are essentially English with thigh rolls and some with the horn. (I ride in a downunder syndey aussielite. They do have a differrent girthing system (overgirth), but not terribly different from english. They also have different leathers, again, not terribly different than english. The biggest problem I have with aussie sadlles is how they ride on the horses loins, since most of them have a panelled gullet that rides lower onto the horses rib cage. Does that make any sense at all? I do like the security of the Aussie saddle, and for ponying I like the horn feature. I've nearly been pulled out of the saddle by a fast pony and a slow leader.

09-01-2006, 08:25 AM	#4
Lance Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 19	Thanks for the info!

09-01-2006, 10:10 AM	#5
3Bays Full Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 267	wrightdanes, I am also wanting to learn more about the Aussie saddles and really liked your description/info! Can you also tell me about that "overgirth" thing? Everytime I see a photo of an Aussie saddle I see that overgirth and (now I know this is gonna sound DUMB!!!) it looks as if it would be VERY uncomfy to sit on...DO you sit ON it? Wow, see how ignorant I am! So, what does it do and why is there an OVERgirth on an Aussie saddle??? (Thanks for not laughing TOO hard!)

09-08-2006, 09:23 AM	#6
DraftXLuvr Full Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 95 Images: 12	I ride an Australian saddle. It is a Trailmaster from Down Under Saddle Supply. It is a little different than the stock saddles as it has extended bars more similar to a western saddle rather than serge panels like an English saddle. I do use the over girth system. It's hard to explain in words, but basically it is a girth that goes in a complete circle around your horse and saddle, rather than just connecting to the bottom of the saddle. It is supposed to be more secure and also you are able to tighten the girth easier with the Aussie rigging that goes thorugh buckles on one side like an English saddle, and the other side has one English type billet and then a D-ring. The Aussie girth will have a billet on it and that goes under and through the D ring and fastens back into the girth on a buckle. You don't sit directly on top of the overgirth with your seat bones, but it will be under your thighs a bit. It never bothers me, and I forget it is there. I love Aussie saddles for the security on the trail. Our trails have very steep hills and when I am going down a hill the poleys on an Aussie saddle (fender type pads in front of the thigh) keep me secure in my saddle and stop me from sliding forward. I had a horn added to mine just so I could hang a bag there and tie a lead rope if I wated.

09-08-2006, 10:35 AM	#9
Lance Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 19	This is all good info. The more I ride on the Australian saddle the more I'm lovin' it. It's got the best of both worlds, IMHO.

09-08-2006, 05:15 PM	#10
Midnight Felicity Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Washington Posts: 969 Images: 26	Oh i love a good Aussie saddle, and the plus is that you could essentially jump in them if you wanted too.