Talk:Australian Stock Saddle

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[edit] Sandbox

The traditional Australian stock saddle was designed for security and comfort in the saddle, no matter how harsh the conditions. While having stylistic roots from the English saddle in the design of the seat, panels, fenders, and stirrups, it has a much deeper seat, higher cantle, and flared pommels (sometimes called Poleys) in the front to create a very secure saddle for riders who ride in rough conditions or spend long hours on a horse.

Initially the stock saddle was a park style saddle with low set knee rolls and short flaps. This style of saddle did not suit the rugged Australian terrain and did little protect the rider’s legs from sweat.

Jack Wieneke later developed a saddle with large high set knee and thigh pads and included longer flaps. The cantle and pommel were also raised giving a deeper seat. These saddles were popular for a number of years, but the design became too extreme and lost favour to more conservative styles.

Noted saddle makers were George Schneider, Bob Thurlow, Syd Hill, “The Tenterfield Saddler”, George Woolnough and nowadays Warren Newcombe, John Davis and Bernie Brady, whose handmade saddle won at a Sydney RAS Show for hand crafted [[leather] objects.

During the early days of buckjumping in Australian rodeos, riders rode in a modified stock saddle using a crupper instead of a flank girth. Ladies Stock Saddles were traditionally made with a pigskin seat and with older-style, longer knee and thigh pads.

Modern styles range from traditional models through to a newer "half breed" that incorporates the independent swinging fender of the western saddle with the traditional Australian tree and seat style. There are also "cross breed" saddles that combine other western saddle elements, such as a saddle horn or a western cantle design, with traditional Australian elements, such as the pommel swells and deep seat. These saddles are becoming very popular with equine competitors.

Ref: Outback magazine Aug/Sep 2007 – pp 28-44

http://www.jamessaddlery.com.au/history.htm

Say, could you provide some info on the following:

Sizing...what sizes are typical for men, women, children? How is the saddle measured? What kind of materials is the tree made of? The swells? The underside? How does one tell a good saddle from a cheap knockoff? Where are the best saddles made? Are saddles made in other nations ever of decent quality (i.e. India, etc...)...How should a saddle fit the horse and rider (see English saddle for ideas...) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Montanabw (talk • contribs) 04:00, 21 October 2007 (UTC)

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I feel that the selection of a saddle is a personal preference and with so many new styles and materials used I am reluctant to comment. Personally I would have a traditional style saddle hand made for me if I was to do much riding. They are quite expensive and the cost may not be justified for the ocassional rider. I do not like all the layers of leather under me that many newer saddles use. The cheap Indian imports certainly would not be my choice on young horses or rugged mountain rides etc.

Below are a selection of URLs that will answer most of your other queries. http://www.aussiesaddle.com/why_aussie_saddle.htm

http://www.jamessaddlery.com.au/tech.htm

http://www.jamessaddlery.com.au/guarantee.htm

http://www.downunderweb.com/wither.htm Cgoodwin 04:07, 23 October 2007 (UTC)

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BetacommandBot (talk) 04:29, 21 January 2008 (UTC)