Aussie saddles for work

[WarDance]

I figured you guys might have some knowledge about these saddles. I ride saddle seat normally but I’m also a trail guide in the summers and this year I would like to invest in my own saddle since the ranch saddles are cheap and uncomfortable.

So what I am looking for is a good aussie saddle just to use for work. I ride various different horses depending on who’s avalible. We have everything from MO Foxtrotters to QHs. I most frequently ride the Foxtrotters so something that would fit them well would be most ideal.

I’m not looking to spend a ton of money since it’s just for my job. I would like to keep it below $1,000. New or used is fine. What should I look for in a saddle? I have limited knowledge about these but I have ridden in them before and I felt much more comfortable and secure so I prefer an Aussie saddle to western. I ride about 6 hours a day at work so comfort is a must. What brands would you guys recommend?

[Guilherme]

Why an Aussie? Do you have experience with them? Or are you just looking to see if one might work?

The reason I ask is that I’ve tried them and found them to be “blister rigs” for me. Perhaps that’s just my conformation, 'cause I know some folks who just swear by them.

The ones who know them best warn against the cheaper Aussies sold at the low end in the U.S. Like any saddle the lower end pieces tend to be of less quality in construction and less quality in engineering.

You would likely do well to look for a good quality, used saddle. Find some forums where Aussie oriented folks gather and ask your questions.

Good luck in your search.

G.

[wylde_sage]

As usual, I find myself agreeing with G. above. I have had decent luck with Downunder Saddlery in Denver, they are quite helpful.
That being said, I’ve always wound up selling my Aussie saddles!

Why not try a cordura/leather saddle(lightweight but tough) made by Bighorn? I’ve had very good luck with them and you can find them used fairly easily.

[WarDance]

I have trail ridden in one before and I loved it. I felt much more secure and comfortable in it than in a western saddle. I really do hate riding in a western saddle but I obviously can’t work out of a saddle seat saddle since there is no way to hang gear on it. I also am not a huge fan of cordura or other synthetic materials.

I actually live in Colorado and I have to go to Denver next week. Do you know if Downunder is an actual retail store or is it just online? It might be worth it to stop by and take a look.

[oldpony66]

We have a cheap (under $400) Aussie from Downunder. Three different people in my family have ridden in it and no real complaints. It’s been on at least 3-4 hour rides. It’s a comfortable saddle but it’s the only Aussie anyone in my family has ridden in, so we have no basis for comparison.

The only reason I don’t prefer to ride in it is that I feel TOO secure. Locked in. Maybe a bigger seat would help but I feel like I wouldn’t even be able to get free if the horse fell and rolled on me.

[WarDance]

What about a plantation saddle? Has anyone ever ridden in one? They look rather comfortable to me.

So actually I had a bad riding accident last year while riding in a western saddle. I was unseated by the horse but I feel part of the problem was that I don’t feel I have a great seat in the western saddle. I do have a great seat in english saddles and I feel like I can ride almost anything in a saddle seat saddle. This is what has made me decide to look for alternatives.

We do have a couple of guides who ride in Aussie saddles so I won’t be the only one not riding western.

[Guilherme]

My wife had a Steele Plantation saddle that she really liked. I rode it a few times but it just wasn’t for me. Nothing specific, it just “didn’t fit.” Rather like the Aussie, actually. :sadsmile:

But Steele makes a very high quality saddle and they can be had at reasonable prices.

G.

[wylde_sage]

Yes, Downunder Saddle Supply is an actual store and that’s the best way to visit them. They have tons of saddles, all price ranges. I had the Snowy River one from them and loved it, but the seat, um, shrank, ahem. Great leather and well made. They always have sales. I don’t care for their synthetics but thats just me. I prefer the bottom panels built like a western saddle to the serge ones, again just preference.

[WarDance]

I will be visiting them after my dentist appointment then! I hope the dentist doesn’t take all of my money before I make it to the tack store! I’m always looking for good tack stores when I’m in the big city. We don’t have much down here on the western slope.

[TheOtherHorse]

I recently got a Master Campdraft Deluxe from Down Under Saddlery, and love it. I don’t normally like aussies, but this model is so well balanced. It was 50% off due to a barely noticeable wrinkle in the seat leather… Definitely check out their clearance section!

[wylde_sage]

You could check out Lancasters in Denver, but I think they’re mostly western show (high priced). Hmmm, Brighton Feed and Supply in Brighton is awesome for used western saddles. A ways from Denver though. There’s also Colorado Saddlery in Denver but again all western stuff.

[AlfalfaGirl]

I had two from Down Under - a Wizzard Poley with a horn and a Kimberly Stock Saddle synthetic without a horn. I loved both of them.

I sold them last year because they didn’t fit my new horse and I got a custom Allegany Mountain Trail Saddle. I started endurance training on my gelding and he really trimmed up and now my AMTS isn’t fitting so well and I am KICKING myself for selling my Aussies. Sigh…I might buy another one - I thought they were uber comfortable for long trail rides.

[WarDance]

[QUOTE=wylde sage;6183048]
There’s also Colorado Saddlery in Denver but again all western stuff.[/QUOTE]

My butt may never be the same again thanks to riding in cheap, old CO saddlery saddles all last summer. I would like to punch whoever made those saddles to last for so long!

However, they do make nice newer saddles. The majority of the trail horse saddles were the antique CO saddlery models, which are not comfortable at all. Unfortunately the only horses that got the new CO saddlery saddles were the draft horses or the ones that were so broke only a guest would ride them.

[oldpony66]

Actually, WarDance, I just got a Tucker River Plantation saddle last summer. I don’t feel trapped in it like I do in the Aussie and it’s very comfortable too. Again, seat size and individual saddle style probably play a big role.

Lucky you! Getting to go right to the supply source! Good luck!

[wylde_sage]

[QUOTE=WarDance;6183250]My butt may never be the same again thanks to riding in cheap, old CO saddlery saddles all last summer. I would like to punch whoever made those saddles to last for so long!

LOL! I know the saddles you speak of! :lol:

[FatCatFarm]

My husband’s saddle just came in yesterday from Down Under Saddlery and is the Kimberly Series Superior with horn. It is a year old and used. We picked it up out of the clearance listing for $200 off. The leather quality is good. In fact, the stirrup leathers are very thick to the point I’m wondering how bulky they’ll be when mounted. The seat also has a wrinkle in the leather of the seat; there are also a couple of wrinkles to either side of the middle of the seat, over the flaps. One or the brass tie rings on the front shows signs of past stress but is still functional. We’re going to put it on the horse and evaluate it more tonight. It looks good; is heavier than I thought; and of good quality supple leather, which is not stiff nor painted.

If we don’t like it after check it out while on the horse this evening, we’ll probably send it back and get a Tucker for him. However, the down under saddle does seem to be well put together and I really do like the idea of the thigh poleys helping to keep him in the seat on sudden moves as he is a novice.

For me though, I do still dearly love my Wintec Pro Stock saddle that is equisuede. It is light weight, comfortable and secure with very little bulk.

If you do go to Down Under, do check out their Trailmaster saddles with the fleece undersides and more western style fenders as I think that would eliminate alot of the bulky feeling.

[WarDance]

The good reviews from Downunder are making me so excited to go to their store! Have I mentioned that I have a tack addiction problem? I can get myself into BIG trouble when I’m actually able to walk into a retail tack store and shop. I’m hoping I will be able to get one of their clearance saddles at a good price.

[muleygirl]

I have a Kimberley Trailmaster from Downunder, it is very comfortable. They make Aussie saddles with two kinds of panels, the english sort of stuffed ones, and the flat panels, more like a western saddle. The stuffed ones had too much curve for my guys, so the Trailmaster works better for them.
They have suspended seats, so you never feel the tree under your backside. And be aware that Aussie seat sizes are 2" larger than a western saddle, hence I ride in an 18", not a 16" as I would western.

[FatCatFarm]

That’s good to know about the Trailmaster.

[wylde_sage]

You know WarDance, we will need a full recap of the blessed shopping event and what you wind up with. Virtual tack addicts need to know!