| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | riding on sloppy and inclined areas. They are placed in |
| Ever wondered what the Australian Saddle was, or | | | | front of the saddle and parallel to the thighs of the |
| how different it is from the typical Western or English | | | | rider, about ¾" Inches away. The 'poleys' give the |
| riding saddles? In this article, you will learn the main | | | | major difference the Australian Saddle has in contrast |
| features that distinguish the Australian Saddle from the | | | | with the other types of horse riding saddles like the |
| other riding saddles, the similarities it shares, the origin | | | | Western Saddle or the typical English saddle. With the |
| of this great piece of work and the uniqueness of it | | | | 'poleys', one can easily distinguish the Australian Saddle |
| amongst its much competition. | | | | from these other horse riding saddles. |
| The popularity of the Australian Stock Saddle came | | | | The Australian horse riding saddle has a simple [highly |
| about right after the release of the movie, "The Man | | | | efficient] double 'girthing' which is used to attach it to |
| from Snowy River" in 1982. This great movie has one | | | | the horse. The billet straps (which are sewn to the |
| of the best horseback riding scenes as far as time | | | | saddle) and the over girth (a strap going across the |
| can tell, and all of its riding was done on Australian | | | | top of the saddle) both buckle directly to the girth. This |
| saddles. The news of this saddle type soon spread | | | | double system allows the rider to girth the saddle more |
| like wild fire, and the Australian Saddle gained its name | | | | effectively, which helps eliminate slippage. Should a billet |
| amongst the existing equestrian world. | | | | strap break, the over-girth provides additional safety. |
| The origin of the Australian Saddle came about shortly | | | | Australian saddles rest more on the horse's shoulders |
| after the English settled in Australia in 1788. The English | | | | in contrast with the general and popular type saddles |
| brought with them horses, saddles and equestrian | | | | [like the western] which sits on the horse's spine area. |
| tacks of all kind. Not so long after their arrival, they | | | | So it is widely known that the Australian saddle is |
| soon realized that there was huge and distinct | | | | placed more forward than the others, and the stirrups |
| difference between their homeland and Australia. So, | | | | are attached in a more forward position as well. This |
| the commitment and drive to mold the existing English | | | | puts the rider's center of mass right on the spot where |
| saddle into something which suits the harsh | | | | the weight could be distributed evenly throughout the |
| environment came about. They began changing the | | | | horse's body, and it is a popular dogma that this saddle |
| design of their saddles and equestrian tack into | | | | position type provides comfort to the horse which in |
| something that would march-up with the harsh, rigid | | | | turn improves and enhance the horse's performance. . |
| and rugged environment; hence an evolution of the | | | | Most people find that the Australian riding position is |
| existing English saddle surfaced with its variations and | | | | also more comfortable for the rider. With the riders |
| was populated with the name, "Australian Saddle". | | | | feet forward of the hips there is better weight |
| They needed a saddle that would be comfortable | | | | distribution, resulting in less stress on the knees. And |
| while working long hours on horseback for both the | | | | the 2 ½" Inches leathers make it easy to turn the |
| rider and the horse itself. This saddle had to be tough | | | | stirrups in the correct position. Many riders who |
| and durable for the intended rugged use, yet again be | | | | experience knee problems with Western and English |
| light weight and easy to girth. | | | | saddles do not have problems with Australian saddle. |
| The Australian Saddle has been in existence for over | | | | However, if you like to be able to move forward in |
| a hundred years. The fundamental English saddle was | | | | your seat when going up steep hills, it's very hard to do |
| made tougher and more robust so it could be capable | | | | in an Australian saddle because of the 'poleys'. They |
| of withstanding the considerable stress and hardship of | | | | generally come in a few different widths just like |
| the Australian environment. Fittings [like d-rings and | | | | Western saddles. The 'poleys' have also evolved from |
| bridge staples] were added so riders could carry their | | | | time to time by moving up from the rider's thigh |
| gear with them. However, the major difference the | | | | towards the upper part of the legs. |
| Australian Saddle poses is in the introduction of the | | | | [More to come in the next release of the Australian |
| device called 'poleys'. The 'poleys' [or a type of knee | | | | Saddle pt2]. |
| pad] provides a more secure and safe horseback | | | | |