[QUOTE=paulaedwina;5826096]
In the Hunter forum there’s a “diamond in the rough” thread. In it is a picture of a horse with an intriguing (to me) saddle. It looks like a Western saddle, but it has considerably less bulk. For the lack of a better description, it looks like the Western version of a close contact saddle! I asked the poster and s/he said it is a reining saddle.
So I did a bit of research and the reining saddle apparently does fit very close, has a deep seat, but not an exceptionally high cantle or horn. I read a description here http://www.horsetrainingvideos.com/article3.htm mind you I know nothing about Western saddles or the value of this article.
I am intrigued. I bought and tried an Australian stock saddle (no horn) specifically for trail riding and competitive trail riding. I sat in it once and sold it. Coming from a dressage saddle that Aussie was just too much bulk. I did not like that I couldn’t feel my horse with my leg. So I’ve come to terms with using my dressage saddle (synthetic Wintec 500). However, climbing up and down steep embankments in and out of the farm pond has educated me on the value of polleys/swells and cantles. I’ve been whining that what I really want is my dressage saddle with polleys and a higher cantle.
Have I found it in a reining saddle? Does anybody have one? Can I get it without the giant stirrup leathers and the wooden type stirrups?
Paula[/QUOTE]
Are you “wedded” to the idea of a Western saddle? If so you’ll have to do some careful research as there are so very many varieties in so very many levels of quality.
I concur on the Aussie. I did a three hour trail ride in one and thought I was going to die. 
It just did not fit my conformation.
If you’re open to other suggestions look at a Trooper saddle. The upside is that they life the rider off the horse’s back and for long distance that’s a Good Thing. The downside is that you lose a bunch of feel. Try one and see if it works.
Some folks have had success with the McClellan cavalry saddle. It’s pretty “close contact.” Here, too, you have to be careful because they range from the M1859 to the M1928 (with at least four itterations inbetween). Avoid the imports; look for one from a U.S. maker like Tom’s Cavalry Equipment or Border States Leatherworks. Both are high quality makers with fair prices.
Another historic U.S. military saddle is the Whitman. It was evaluated and liked by the Cavalry but not purchased because the government at the time (1879) had tens of thousands of Mac trees in storage and refused to “waste” them. Civilian versions were made; there are custom makers today.
I ride a Stubben Scout, their police/military saddle developed for the Belgian Army in 1948. See http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sellerieclaeys.com/IMG/arton1190.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sellerieclaeys.com/article.php3%3Fid_article%3D1190&h=321&w=400&sz=24&tbnid=4pdDflsM4C4byM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=112&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dstubben%2Bscout%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=stubben+scout&docid=R92N_zKoxxg-kM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=xMpoTqP1KZC6tgfcmsSrDQ&ved=0CEQQ9QEwBw&dur=2934 It’s still used by many police agencies in the U.S. and Europe. it’s comfortable, fits well (me and the horse), give a good level of feel, and has 10 d-rings for hanging “stuff.”
You can also look at Endurance Saddles, but they have the same issues as the Western or the Mac (many makers whose production is not always created equal).
There really is a wide variety of types and styles available. You may have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince. 
G.
