Need my first Western/Australian saddle and have no idea how to start

[vineyridge]

I wonder if it would fit TBs. It certainly looks as if it has PLENTY of wither clearance. Mine have withers. Seat size? Might work. I have a gadget that is a bendable, flexible ruler that stays in position once it’s been put in place. Might go down and measure Marcy this evening and trace the contours on a large piece of construction paper which i will buy this afternoon.

Very Generous offer to help, mvp. I am interested.

[QUOTE=mvp;6897969]
viney-- check out this Aussie saddle:
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/grd/3664945540.html
I know the people who have it, and I have seen it in person. It is the only Aussie saddle I have seen that has soft, well-cared for leather that you’d want.

The CL ad includes a link to the maker’s website as well.-- James Saddlery in Australia.

I can’t vouch for the size-- for person or horse.

The people are well-intentioned but keep their horses at home, working with what they know. I think they’d be ok to deal with. I’d be happy to go check it out for you and take measurements if this looks like “the one.”[/QUOTE]

[mvp]

^^

They say it’s an 18" and I think they know how to measure.

The rest of it-- fit for horse is a little harder. But I’ll try to get you the info you need.

[eponacowgirl]

Viney, I’ve been really happy with my abetta western saddles. I have a super basic one and it fits most the TB’s I’ve put it on with a pad that has a wither cut out.

[imaginique]

It’s pretty difficult to post properly in an Aussie saddle. The thigh rolls get in the way.

[cowboymom]

The Abettas seem to have shorter bars that don’t distribute weight as well, IMO/IME.

[NoSuchPerson]

[QUOTE=imaginique;6903411]
It’s pretty difficult to post properly in an Aussie saddle. The thigh rolls get in the way.[/QUOTE]

I think it must depend on the saddle, or, more accurately, the size of the poleys. I’ve never had any trouble posting properly in any of the 3 Aussie saddles I have owned, but none of them had ginormous poleys, either.