This is a follow uo to the jumping creeks thread. My 6 year old Clydesdale gelding and I were out on a trail ride last week (no creeks) - just very green horse and he handled the ride tremendously. He led, went by his first car, crossed noisy culverts - was an allround star until we got back to the trailer. Whereupon he tripped over a rut in the road, went down to his knees, I sailed over his shoulder and landed flat on my back. He’s okay. I’m not so much. My back is bruised and very sore. We will live to ride another day but after coming off of him when he launched over the creek 3 weeks ago I have to come up with a better survival strategy.
He is a lazy 17 3 hand gelding who has only been ridden really for about 3 months. He does tend to trip when riding but this is twice that he’s come down to his knees. I think it is probably laziness and inattention on his part and I plan to work on lunging over trot poles and riding less ‘on the buckle’ and more as if we are working.
I’m also looking at saddles for me. I’m 60 and fluffy and about 5’6. I know I need to work on my fitness and weight and I am working on that. Don’t ask me why I’m riding a 17 3 hand gelding - I don’t have a logical answer.
Currently I ride in a Wintec 2000 and I’m looking at an Australian saddle - one with a deep seat and ‘poleys’ on the front. I’d looked at western saddles but I’ve ridden English all my life and I like the closer fit and narrower stirrups of the Aussie? I know that there are differences in quality but I’d really like some opinions of the Aussie. I’m currently looking at an Down Under Wizzard Poley if that means anything to anyone. Any help would be appreciated.
I agree you need to do more training with this horse - I hate trippers, and sometimes they are just trippers and probably not the best for trail riding. Sorry, no advice on saddles, never ridden in an Australian saddle.
Security on the back of a horse comes from the seat, not the saddle. That said, some saddles, by definition, have more secure seats than others.
So the first thing is have a coach watch you ride a lesson horse and video you as she puts you through the paces of different gaits, transitions, etc. Then fill in the spaces in your skills. This really is important if you’re going to be schooling a “greenie.” If you have a gap in your skill the horse will have a gap in their skill.
I have no idea how experienced you are, but the world’s best folks in almost any discipline have coaches and teachers no matter how good they are. Ali was a natural; Angelo Dundee made him a world beating champion. 'Nuff said? 
Best of luck to you as you go forward.
G.
I love Australian saddles. I have owned several different versions over the years. But I’ve also fallen out of them. 
I also have a Wintec 2000, which I love and find very secure, and I’m not sure you’re going to be that much more secure overall in an Aussie saddle, but certainly the poleys on the Aussie saddle will provide extra security in the “pitching forward” type of event you’re talking about.
I used to have a Down Under Saddlery Dalby Poley and I currently have one of their synthetic saddles. The quality is consistent with the price, which means that they aren’t top-notch, but are perfectly nice saddles, sturdy and made with decent materials. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy from them.
Wintec also makes Australian saddles and if you like the Wintec 2000, you might consider one of theirs. Google Wintec Pro Stock Saddle. They come in both traditional and fender style. I’ve never sat in one or seen one in person, so can’t give you any first-hand advice.
In terms of style, I’ve currently got a custom-made fender style (also sometimes called a halfbreed) and I really like it. They look more like western saddles, while the traditional style looks more like an english saddle.
I have a wintec 2000, and find it semi-secure. But then I got an dressage saddle with large knee-rolls and I love it! I used a local independent saddle fitter to ride in about 15 saddles one day, and felt immediately secure in the one I chose. But it is so individual.
I certainly think practicing over trot poles, lunging is fine but having him balance with a rider is good too. There are lots of good arena exercises. Lots of poles, and walk him over logs, etc on trail. I think he is young and big and figuring himself out.
I also learned when a horse trips to give them the reins and let them find their balance, not to try to support them with the bridle. But I’m sure there are different school’s of thought on that, it has worked for me! Be careful out there.
One thing about Australian saddles is that the leather ones can be very heavy which could be an issue for a tall horse/short rider. My agistment owner has several, my favorite to ride in is a small older Australian made leather saddle which probably weighs about nine kilograms unmounted but his preferred saddle is (also an older Australian made saddle, Sid Hill branded) which is pretty close to twenty kilos. Fully mounted and loaded up with saddle bags it was over twenty five and I struggled to get it on anything over fifteen hands.
Personally, some of the images of the made for the American market “Aussie” saddles make me cringe. I’d try to find a good Australian made saddle.
I spent much of my early years riding in an Australian poley saddle, they are very common in Australia in riding schools and often a requirement for trail riding places due to insurance. While I think they do offer some extra grip, they also can cause problems if you get caught in front of or hooked on the poley’s.
While you’re exploring, I recommend you also look at endurance-style saddles which can run the gamut from English to Western style and a hybrid type with English riggings but built on a Western-style tree to spread the weight more across the horse’s back.
I happen to ride in the hybrid type, specifically a Tucker Saddle “Equitation Endurance” model. The seat is more of a Western style but no horn, just a bigger pommel than an English saddle has. My stirrup leathers and girth are English style rather than Western or Australian, and the leathers can be worn above the saddle (directly under your legs) or under the flaps (for those of us who can’t handle being pinched!). The seat has gel cushioning which makes long hours on the trail very comfortable. I do recommend the “classic” model rather than the Gen II model; the classic has gel only under the seat itself, the Gen II also has gel lower which can tend - IMO - to interfere with feel from your legs.
Tuckers come in several tree widths and have a trial program; not sure if that differs in Canada vs. US.
Anyway, just another option for you to consider. I’m pasting a link below:
http://www.tuckersaddlery.com/product-category/saddles-tucker/endurance/
Good luck with your search!
Great advice re saddles.
I would just add, you might benefit from having a saddle fitter help you find a saddle/tree that fits you and your draft.
At 5 yrs a draft horse is still growing and maturing. This saddle may not be a permanent fit.
Tripping is quite, often caused by improperly balanced feet. Trimming/shoeing draft horses requires special skill.
I ride in a Muster Master. Very comfortable and since the store/shop is nearby, many people use these saddles. Good quality and last for years.
http://www.aussiesaddle.com/Products/Saddle/aussie_leather_saddles.html
I don’t know much about Clydesdales, but if he continues falling down I’d talk to a vet. Horses trip, but actually falling down isn’t normal.
I went through the same thing with a horse. People (and vets) kept telling me to change the shoeing/saddle, or it was my fault and I wasn’t a good enough rider. Turned out he had Wobbler’s Syndrome.
Good luck!
Friend owns a Clydesdale for the same reason you do. Loves him to death, he’s very sweet.
