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Hi Karen -

You might want to check over Colin Dangaard's website.  He makes and sells Australian Saddles and is very diligent about working with you and your horse for a good fit.  According to his article http://www.aussiesaddle.com/why_aussie_saddle.htm an aussie saddle puts you more in a dressage position, with maximum contact of your legs and seat on the horse/saddle.  It provides stability and greater weight bearing area. 

 

I recently purchased a saddle from him and although I've yet to get any serious riding done with it, the position is definately not a chair seat - my legs hang nice and long and I can really feel the horse under me.  BTW, I am using it on a green-broke horse.  I normally ride in an English saddle. 

 

I'm sure there are "Aussie" saddles that will put you in a chair seat, I think you (or your husband) probably need to sit in a few to see what brands/makes work well for you.

 

Rosalie

 

On 9/7/05, Karen Casemier <kcrazzmatazz@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I read Libby Llops response to the "new saddle" thread, and thought I'd get
more opinions about Aussie saddles. I'm looking for something for my
husband. He rides a young 15.3 QH gelding. The horse is generally a good
minded horse, but has a pretty hard spook in him. My husband needs something
that will keep him IN the saddle, not sitting on the ground next to it.
Because the gelding is shortbacked, many western saddles are too long for
him. Right now we have him in a Abetta endurance (arabian tree) which fits
him well, but doesn't have the "stick" my husband is looking for.

I have heard that Aussie saddles tend to put you in a chair position, which
we really want to avoid. While security is a high priority, so is correct
position.

The Wintec would be a nice option, but I've had a couple of wintecs on this
guy and I just don't like the way they sit on his back. I know Syd Hill
saddles have a great rep, but also have a huge price tag. Any
recommendations for good quality lower cost brands would also be
appreciated. Or specific western saddle options that would work for a wider,
shortbacked horse. He's thought about trying team penning or team sorting
with this horse, so something that would be comfortable for trail and work
for that would be great.

English saddles aren't much of an option - my husband is 6'4" and we have a
horrible time finding anything off the rack that can accomodate his leg.

He will not be doing more than 25 mile rides (either CTR or LD).

Thanks!

Karen Casemier
kcrazzmatazz at hotmail dot com



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