I'm considering asking Santa for an Aussie stock saddle, anyone have any experience or advice?

[beam me up scottie]

Background:

* I have a 3yr old filly who's supposed to be a Warmblood but spooks worse than a 2 yr old TB going into a starting gate. She literally went nuclear when a stealth rock tried to attack her a few weeks ago. :eyes:

* I grew up riding English but I've been tossed at least a dozen times when she's bolted and I don't bounce off the ground as well as I used to.

* A western saddle wouldn't do (she's got a short wide back w/narrow shoulders and the typical high withers), and I prefer riding the horse instead of the saddle.

I don't plan on showing or eventing and the Aussie seems like the perfect hybrid for trail riding.

The Australian Outrider and Kimberly stock saddles get mixed reviews but they are affordable and I can always upgrade later.

Thoughts?

[TheMadMonk]

1. Amy saddle is better for eventing. BUT, even harder to maintain...

...your seat. Pad it with sheep's wool or you will regret the longer events.

But if you're serious about eventing, a horse that can dump you in a random, remote ravine is probably not a good idea. Keep lighting "bombs" under your horse till it gives up shying, pay an expert to do it, or get another horse.

[beam me up scottie]

2. Just light trail riding-no intention of eventing, I just want a more secure seat when she does spook

And she is getting better, my bf just bought a 5 yr old bomb proof gelding and just his presence seems to have dialed it down.

I can only do so much ground work, taking her out on the trails is the only way she'll ever learn to spook in place.

[newfie11]

4. One more thing on your horse

Put miles and miles on her. I have had horses that were spooky, didn't want to stand but after an 8-10 mile ride they decided it really was nice to just stand there.

[beam me up scottie]

5. Good advice!

She's like a little kid when she gets outside that gate, all eyes and ears and loving every minute of it, her enthusiasm makes me feel young again.

I've been lunging her before a ride and it seems to help get some of the piss and vinegar out of her system.

[newfie11]

3. My daughter rode for years in an aussie saddle

I rode in it once and hated it. I felt so far removed from the horse (no contact). I use a western synthetic endurance saddle and rode all over the Black Hills SD and Medora ND for years. It fits my short backed, wide backed Arab. It is light weight unlike my old 70 pound western saddle.

I suggest you train your filly to a one rein stop very soon. I have always only rode with a bosal and this has saved my hide many a time over the many many years, lol.

[beam me up scottie]

6. More good advice, she definitely needs more than a mild snaffle.

The reason I was thinking of going Aussie is because I prefer close contact as well. (I love riding bareback but not on this girl, not yet anyway).
My lower back gets sore when I ride western, I tend to slouch and I was hoping these hybrids would let me ride upright.

I hope to order from http://www.downunderweb.com/intro.htm">Downunder Saddle Supply, their reputation is stellar and their return policy is more than fair.

Some look like modified english saddles:



and others like neutered westerns:


Bf can't get over the ugliness factor, but if it helps me keep my seat I could care less what it looks like.

Our local tack shop is owned by the Amish and they specialize in fitting both horse and rider, they let you try out their used saddles before you buy, if they have both styles I will give them each a trial run.

[beam me up scottie]

7. Could you show me which endurance saddle you use on your Arab?

I can't believe how much lighter they are these days and the quality of synthetic materials has drastically improved.

[newfie11]

8. It is made by Big Horn

Has a suede seat. Because I was riding a lot in mountains and with horses that had no withers I had a back cinch put on it and rode with a breast collar. 5 years ago I retired and moved down here to NE, now 70 years old. Don't ride anymore but still have the last 3 of my Arabs that will live out their lives with me. Lost my 30 year old last year. I owned her mom and was there when she was born. Boy time flys.

Anyway stay safe and enjoy you filly.

[beam me up scottie]

9. I am sorry for the loss of your family member. Grief is the price we pay for love.

Arabs are the royals of the horse kingdom, I've always wanted one.

Horses get in our blood, you know? We don't have to ride them to get our fix. Whenever I was horseless I would dream of them, their smell, the feel of their velvet soft muzzles and prickly whiskers, the low nickering when they greet you, even their belly sounds.:)

I stood and watched our guys in the pasture yesterday, running like the wind, kicking up their heels for the pure joy of it, heads up, nostrils flaring, it literally took my breath away.

Stella is a very sweet mare and to her credit she never runs away after spooking, if I'm on the ground she nuzzles me like she would a foal, "C'mon! Get up! What's the matter with you?"
I'm not ready to give up on her yet and bf - fearing for my safety (he would cover me in bubble wrap and have me wear football protective gear under my clothes if he could) is willing to send her to a local trainer for a month if she doesn't improve.

Thank you for all of your help and for sharing.

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

:hug:

[Tumbulu]

10. I love them and have bought three of them

I had a Syd Hill (which was gorgeous, but only fit one horse that had to be put down), and sold it as it did not fit any of my other horses at the time. I used the money to buy a less expensive synthetic Aussie that I still have and love and I have a child's Aussie for my daughter.

They are (imo) the best saddles for trail riding. I always feel much closer that any western saddle, but those thigh blocks kept me in the saddle. One of my horses used to spook by spinning and bucking- I never fell off in that saddle. Totally worth the money. Just cannot post any trots.

[beam me up scottie]

11. Thanks! Syd Hill saddles are really beautiful, like a work of art.

Hopefully the polies will help me keep my seat when my mare jumps 2 feet up and 6 feet sideways at the same time.
The english saddle I have slides too much when she does this even though I use a Tacky Too saddle pad.

The Down Under Saddle Supply company asks for my measurements and pant size, the girth of my horse as well as a tracing of her withers, they'll use all of the information to customize my saddle. They also send a dvd with instructions to help with the learning curve - I hope I can still post, my boobs feel like they're going to fall off when trotting in a western saddle.

The staff at DUSS will work with me if I have fitting problems, I just need to send pix and info and they will do everything possible to help me including taking the saddle back for additional alterations.

Thank you for helping me make up my mind, I think Stella and I will be much more comfortable in the new saddle.

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

[Tumbulu]

12. I bought my daughter's saddle from them

and they were super to work with. I bought the Syd Hill back in 1992 or something from the first person to import them, so there were not the choices that people have now. It was a work of art.

I really cannot say enough good things about these saddles. The synthetic one is fabulous; it has sueded leather on the seat, which also helps me feel secure. But those thigh blocks really really made all the difference for me when the leaping and spinning happened.

Good good luck to you and your mare- I sure hope that this saddle is as good for you as they were for me.