Australian saddle for half-arabian?

[SendenHorse]

Hi all,

I really need some help.

I have a (new) horse. He is a arabian x paint (mostly arab) horse that has shark fin withers. He is in a 34cm (wide) Thornhill Vienna 2 18" dressage saddle.

Any recomendations for an aussie trail saddle?

My budget is ideally 500 dollars, used is just fine. For recreational trail riding only, no endurance or anything. The lighter the better.

It must have a horn, I am riding on very steep hills. I would like it to be as close to my dressage saddle as possible.

[NEWT]

Most, if not all, aussie saddles put your legs out in front of you, as if you are sitting in a chair. It takes a little getting used to. I have an aussie saddle for a narrow withered horse for sale if you are interested. PM me.

If you really want your legs under you such as you get with a dressage saddle then the ONLY one I’m aware of that can do that is this saddle: http://horseproblems.com.au/Saddlery%20Sales%20Page/hp_swinging_fender_saddle.htm

Good luck with your saddle search and enjoy that new horse!

[TheOtherHorse]

Master Campdraft Deluxe from Down Under Saddlery

I recently got an aussie from Down Under Saddlery, the Master Campdraft Deluxe model.
http://www.downunderweb.com/store/MI_SAD336.html
I had ridden in other aussies before and hated them. Chair seat, perched feeling, etc. Yuck. This saddle is totally different. It rides like my dressage saddle- my leg is under me, I feel balanced, and close contact with my horse. This model was designed for campdrafting (like cutting kind of, requires a closer contact feel). The flaps are shorter than a normal aussie, the seat is not perched up above the horse. I can do dressage in it with no problem. The only difference in how it rides is that it has a bit wider twist. My horse is a paint/TB with high withers. I sent a wither tracing and the tree was fitted to her.
Normally it retails over your budget, but I got mine for 50% off as a scratch and dent (there is a small wrinkle in the seat leather that you can barely see, no big deal). Might be worth watching for on the clearance page.
Here it is on my horse yesterday. You can see how small the flaps are and close contact the seat is:
http://s478.photobucket.com/albums/rr144/TheOtherHorse/?action=view&current=newsaddle.jpg

[TheOtherHorse]

Also I have seen some Syd Hill aussies used on ebay for good prices. I am not sure which models from Syd Hill are close contact with a balanced position, but I’m sure some are. The Syd Hills are top quality and well designed.

[FatCatFarm]

Give some thought to picking up one of the synthetic aussie saddles from Down Under. I love my Wintec Pro Stock aussie saddle that is equisuede but it wasn’t cheap. I just bought my husband a Down Under leather saddle and it’s a nice saddle for the money. I read lots of reviews before going to Down Under for the saddle and everyone seems to be very pleased with their saddles, including the synthetics. Be sure to check out their Clearance saddles.

http://www.downunderweb.com/store/Saddles_Clearance.html

You can send them a tracing of your horse’s wither’s and they’ll adjust the saddle to match. Good luck.

[FatCatFarm]

[QUOTE=TheOtherHorse;6176018]
I recently got an aussie from Down Under Saddlery, the Master Campdraft Deluxe model.
http://www.downunderweb.com/store/MI_SAD336.html
I had ridden in other aussies before and hated them. Chair seat, perched feeling, etc. Yuck. This saddle is totally different. It rides like my dressage saddle- my leg is under me, I feel balanced, and close contact with my horse. This model was designed for campdrafting (like cutting kind of, requires a closer contact feel). The flaps are shorter than a normal aussie, the seat is not perched up above the horse. I can do dressage in it with no problem. The only difference in how it rides is that it has a bit wider twist. My horse is a paint/TB with high withers. I sent a wither tracing and the tree was fitted to her.
Normally it retails over your budget, but I got mine for 50% off as a scratch and dent (there is a small wrinkle in the seat leather that you can barely see, no big deal). Might be worth watching for on the clearance page.
Here it is on my horse yesterday. You can see how small the flaps are and close contact the seat is:
http://s478.photobucket.com/albums/rr144/TheOtherHorse/?action=view&current=newsaddle.jpg[/QUOTE]

One of those in the clearance listing for under $500 http://www.downunderweb.com/store/Saddles_DU_Clearance.html