Hi Dorothy, i am in Australia and i ride in a Stock Saddle, or Aussie saddle as down under call them. I love my stock saddle and it is the only saddle i have that fits my wide backed brumby. Just an idea but if you already have a western saddle cant you just put english stirrups on it? I have a friend who has just brought herself a wintec western saddle and has but MDC stirrups on it! The choice is all yours but i can say that stock/aussie saddles are very comfy :-)

Initially I wondered what you meant by an Australian saddle but I guessed you must have meant our stock saddles as Janelle has understood. I have only sat in a Western Saddle but I must admit I find our stock saddles far more comfortable but that maybe because I am so familiar with them or the Western Saddle I tried could have been one of the not so good ones. There is a huge variation in the stock saddles too which you would have to consider. I have a beautiful old one - dated in the late 1800's - that belonged to my husband's Dad and his Dad before him. It is great for the first few rides on a baby as it has very high pads which really hold you in. Unfortunately it has a rather narrow gullet and too narrow for all my horses so I invested in a Bates Stock Saddle. It is also very comfortable and gives good security. The disadvantage of stock saddles are that they are somewhat difficult and uncomfortable to trot in - great for cantering and walking. I usually now use my Bates Caprilli Dressage saddle for all my riding as I do a lot of trotting on my horses. It is excellent for dressage and gives me enough support for low grade jumping and road riding It is extremely comfortable and its padding at the front is a little better than most dressage saddles so there is a little more security to it. I am not a fan of the All Purpose Saddles which many riders choose if they wish to buy one saddle only for all purposes. Not sure of its origin but it is probably English. Unfortunately being all purpose it is somewhat deficient in all areas compared with the specialist saddles. Doesn't position you well for dressage, is not nearly as good as a jump saddle for jumping and wouldn't give you the required support for stock work.

Thank you, both for your input. I like the security of the western with its horn and deep seat and the stirrups of the English because they can be used for a shorter person without the twist that you get in the fenders of the western. The Aussie saddle that I picked out is also light weight compared to a western. I know I can put swivels between the fenders and the stirrup, but in looking into getting a western saddle with a 24 inch drop would cost me over $1,500.00. Maybe in a few years I can afford to special order one, but for now I'll just get an Aussie saddle.
I intend to use it for trail riding, as I am with my local search and rescue group and they are going to be starting a mounted unit this year and I want to participate in this unit as well as in the K-9 unit I'm with.
I'm also interested in ranch sorting.

Once again, thank you, for your input. It a big help!

Hello, I ride with an Stock Saddle made from Down Under. I am also on the Search and Rescue. I love my saddle. For those long rides in the hills. I have ridden in both western and english, i find that aussy saddle mush better. It is worth the money. Now my saddle has no horn. Now if you are going to work cattle and ranch work it would be best to get the saddle with a horn. I have owned both. My mom, how has very bad knees, also rides with a aussy saddle and she finds that the seat position does not hurt like the western does. The Down Under saddles are worth the money.

Hi -
im looking at getting a western saddle for i am going to start western. i too dont enjoy the stirrups as they hurt my feet. would i be able to do western in an Aussie saddle? they sound quite comfy. would anybody know if you could get them in South Africa?
thanks
Charlotte

As far as I know you would not be able to do western show classes in a Aussie saddle.And also I think Down Under Saddlery. Sells saddle around the world to any country. You would have to look at their website to find out.

Stock Saddles are very versatile. I haven't ridden western in one, but I have ridden dressage in one :)
Can I be really picky for a moment? The proper name for an "Aussie Saddle" is a "Stock Saddle". That is what Australians call them. I don't refer to a Western Saddle as a "Yankie Saddle" as I feel that would be condescending. I realise the naming of it is due to different companies marketing Stock Saddles that way and that it helps differentiate them from other stock working saddles. However, I feel that because this is an international forum, it is friendly to get to know the names and technical terms each culture (represented here at least) uses. I know that no one is trying to offend and I am not upset over it. I just feel that it would be help in getting to know each other better and give a more open and multi-cultural feel to this place :)

PS: My husband disagrees with me lol! :)

Well, I believe the full and correct name actually is "Australian Stock Saddle"!! Most Aussies tend to just shorten it to 'Stock Saddle", but I agree it helps to use the correct term so that we all know we're talking about the same thing!
I showjump now so always just ride in my jumping saddle, however I grew up riding in stock saddles, and a couple of years ago played a season of polocrosse and I would not have survived that without my trusty stock saddle! Obviously the quality will vary depending on who makes them though.
My sister also did a horse riding trek for a week in the Yukon (in Canada) and it was interesting to note that they used Australian Stock Saddles.
In terms of South Africa Charlotte, I think you'll find that they are sold there if you search around.

Lol, would you believe Ruthy, I had a person get really annoyed with me (years ago when I was a teen) when i was selling my stock saddle. I advertised it as an Australian Stock Saddle . They blasted me for it because they felt i was falsy adverising it as it was a cheapy made from indian leather. Being "correct" can be such a pain ;) hehe

Lol this is a funny topic!! Rahni, i have a stock saddle, a "cheapy" made of Indian leather and i would have to say i have no problems buying things made from Indian leather. They still tann their hides in gross pits like they did in the old days too! My saddle has seen 3 horses, all sizes and shapes, fitted them all and is still in great condition and is so comfy. Don't underestimate the cheapies is my point :-)

Dont underestimate them, but be careful, too. When I bought Princess, I also bought, (not from the same guy) a western saddle, cheap, and the very first time I put it on her, she laid down and he cinch broke, the bridle, (it was a packaged set) also broke. The saddle wasnt well made at all, the leather was very cheap, and I just wasted my money. It also fit weird. I got rid of it and got a used one, MUCH better. The saddle package was advertized as a B bar B, and wasnt. I looked it up, planning on telling them, and on the very first page of their site was a picture of it and the warning that it was made in India and not one of theirs. I got it on Ebay.

Rahni that is so funny (and interesting!) - oh well, who knows!

:)

I have two Ausie saddles, one with horn, one without. From my small amount of experience with then, I would suggest making sure of the fit and get a good quality. There are a lot of subtleties with a stock saddle starting with the padding and the fine art of awling to fit. Make sure you know how it is supposed to work. I would not recommend a Stockman saddle as the leathers don't make sense and have very limited adjustment. I will have to modify mine or change them out to feel safe riding the saddle. It is also very heavy. One feature I liked in my other saddle was the light weight which meant the horse did not have to work as hard.
I like the possibles of the stock saddle, it just takes some adjustment.
Hank

Hi dorothy, if your still looking to buy a stock saddle i currently have one for sale, only ever used 2 times to try on. very comfy :) doesnt have a horn, but has the ears :) also comes nearly fully mounted, has everything just not a girth. its black with fancy yellow stitching :) I think it also has interchangeable gullet :)

I love my ausie stock saddle. On average I put in about 12 hours a week in the saddle on my mustang in the winter here in Kentucky and 20 plus hours a week in the summer time. I compete in barrels, poles and jumping all in the aussie saddle and find it very comforable.

I love them too comanche. I generally ride in a dressage saddle, so the deep seat and long panels make me feel at home. They are quiet versatile as you can jump in them too. Not for competitions lol, just when out on trails or having fun at home. I've put my kids in a stock saddle too as the ears make them feel more secure.