Talk to me about Aussie stock saddles

[ponyparty]

I’m considering an Aussie stock saddle (second hand) for my little TB mare. I have a Thorowgood GP for her at the moment; I always liked my old K&M GP on my last horse, but for some reason I feel sort of perched on this mare in the Thorowgood? I will only be hacking really, and I like the idea of a more secure saddle as I don’t bounce so well these days. Hard to know if I’ll like it in reality until I try one though, I suppose!

She is probably the right shape for a stock saddle (?) but I really don’t know much about them. There’s one second hand for fairly cheap on FB near me, I’m tempted to take a punt on it. What should I be looking out for?

Can a “normal” saddle fitter fit a stock saddle? I assume you need different stirrup leathers/stirrups too..? (Told you I haven’t got a clue ).

The one I’ve seen is cheap enough to not mind about how long it takes to sell on if not suitable. It’s the right seat size, if that is the same in stock saddles? And measures the same as her current saddle D to D, although appreciate that’s not necessarily accurate.

I’ve seen that some saddlers do the Wintec stock saddles, so that’s another option I could try, but 1. I don’t want to buy new really and 2. they don’t seem to have great reviews on here. Also not sure if they’d suit her shape.

 

[TPO]

They tend to be very narrow, if a traditional stock saddle. The traditional ones I have experience with were all serge panels and the ones I've seen on fb/ebay have been overflocked (rounded panels).

The stirrup placement encourages a straight leg out front position. The leathers have more swing. Again, depends on the brand of saddle but it's typically not standard English leathers that are used.

Traditional saddles have a surcingle/overgirth too that goes over the seat then under the saddle flap.

I hate them but the poleys are handy if you've got something sharp and bucky!

I prefer the halfbreed but it's more like a western than an English saddle.

Probably no help, sorry

 

[ponyparty]

Ah it’s def a traditional one, this one I’ve seen. With the overgirth and serge panels (if they are what I think they are!). It’s really beautiful actually, but scuffed (which doesn’t bother me just for hacking round the lanes, as long as no structural damage or anything).

Hmmmm I dunno whether to take a punt on it! Or at least go and have a look. Would it be completely nuts to take my saddle and a tape measure with me to compare the two? don’t want to be a time waster, but if it’s blatantly not right I don’t want to buy it.

 

[ponyparty]

My girl isn’t bucky (or hasn’t been so far). Even her spooks are very minor, way less dramatic than my old boy! Maybe I should just look for a better GP that doesn’t make me feel like I’m perched way above her.

 

[TPO]

Ah it’s def a traditional one, this one I’ve seen. With the overgirth and serge panels (if they are what I think they are!). It’s really beautiful actually, but scuffed (which doesn’t bother me just for hacking round the lanes, as long as no structural damage or anything).

Hmmmm I dunno whether to take a punt on it! Or at least go and have a look. Would it be completely nuts to take my saddle and a tape measure with me to compare the two? don’t want to be a time waster, but if it’s blatantly not right I don’t want to buy it.

You'd be better making a template of your horse's back than measuring. You can use cardboard or wire coat hangers.

Iirc they have quite a bit of curve to the tree. They tend to have almost a dropped panel too.

Modern ones may be different and better. I'm going back to 2003.

The only types they "fitted" were TB types with withers. But that was because they had atrophy and weren't properly developed (couldn't "grow" into no space). Think our old English narrow saddles.

 

[Lois Lame]

Ah it’s def a traditional one, this one I’ve seen. With the overgirth and serge panels (if they are what I think they are!). It’s really beautiful actually, but scuffed (which doesn’t bother me just for hacking round the lanes, as long as no structural damage or anything).

Hmmmm I dunno whether to take a punt on it! Or at least go and have a look. Would it be completely nuts to take my saddle and a tape measure with me to compare the two? don’t want to be a time waster, but if it’s blatantly not right I don’t want to buy it.

You aren't a time waster because you are genuinely interested in buying it if it suits you. It might not suit you. End of. So don't worry about that. I think you should take your saddle to compare what is comparable.

I've not ridden in a stock saddle for decades. My favourite saddles are well-made saddles of yesteryear - not these fashionable ones of today. General purpose or dressage. (E (yet again) TA: I like GP or dressage saddles.)

I have heard that stock saddles are good if you are on a bouncy horse - a very bouncy horse. I don't know if it's true. Could be. Might not be [shrugs]

ETA: Ooops, yes, those are the sort I rode in - serge-lined, with an over-girth or whatever they were called. And they fitted a lot of different horses, none of this pulling one's hair out that people go through these days with saddle fitting. I personally think that the saddles of today are not my cup of tea at all.

Speaking of tea, I need another cup.

 

[ponyparty]

You'd be better making a template of your horse's back than measuring. You can use cardboard or wire coat hangers.

Iirc they have quite a bit of curve to the tree. They tend to have almost a dropped panel too.

Modern ones may be different and better. I'm going back to 2003.

The only types they "fitted" were TB types with withers. But that was because they had atrophy and weren't properly developed (couldn't "grow" into no space). Think our old English narrow saddles.

Oh yes of course, why didn’t I think of a template of her shape?!

Hmm sounds like it might not be a great option though. I mean, she is a TB with withers! But don’t want anything that’s going to block or pinch when she muscles up.

Probably be more sensible to think about it, save up, and get a saddler out who stocks modern ones. Just caught my eye as it’s cheap and only up the road from me.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[ponyparty]

You aren't a time waster because you are genuinely interested in buying it if it suits you. It might not suit you. End of. So don't worry about that. I think you should take your saddle to compare what is comparable.

I've not ridden in a stock saddle for decades. My favourite saddles are well-made saddles of yesteryear - not these fashionable ones of today. General purpose or dressage.

I have heard that stock saddles are good if you are on a bouncy horse - a very bouncy horse. I don't know if it's true. Could be. Might not be [shrugs]

ETA: Ooops, yes, those are the sort I rode in - serge-lined, with an over-girth or whatever they were called. And they fitted a lot of different horses, none of this pulling one's hair out that people go through these days with saddle fitting. I personally think that the saddles of today are not my cup of tea at all.

Speaking of tea, I need another cup.

I think my current saddle is not my cup of tea! Just not sure that this one I’ve seen is the answer.

True on the time waster thing, if I thought it had a good chance of fitting I’d go for it.

Argh indecision reigns my life at the moment! I can’t work out if indecisiveness or recklessness is more annoying as a character trait I am both!

Enjoy your tea!

 

[Lois Lame]

My girl isn’t bucky (or hasn’t been so far). Even her spooks are very minor, way less dramatic than my old boy! Maybe I should just look for a better GP that doesn’t make me feel like I’m perched way above her.

Yes. Your saddle sounds like it's not good - either that or you are stiff from nervousness and feel perched at the moment. I say that because I was there myself, and I had my husband lead me on my horse at a walk while I perched on my saddle like a budgerigar. Eventually, I relaxed and felt and looked a lot better.

 

[Lois Lame]

I think my current saddle is not my cup of tea! Just not sure that this one I’ve seen is the answer.

True on the time waster thing, if I thought it had a good chance of fitting I’d go for it.

Argh indecision reigns my life at the moment! I can’t work out if indecisiveness or recklessness is more annoying as a character trait I am both!

Enjoy your tea!

Indecisiveness rules my life too - that and procrastination. And talking rather than doing.

But the saddle is just up the road...

It's cheap...

They will almost certainly let you try it on your horse, have a sit in it, and see for yourself what you think.

Might be worth getting off the couch and giving it a go.

(I am less indecisive with others.)

 

[pistolpete]

Curved ball there are quite a few treeless saddles around with poleys. Ghost come to mind or Trekka

 

[SEL]

I wouldn't! I love riding in them but everything I've seen in this country has been narrow and uncomfortable. Bruises on inside of legs uncomfortable.....

 

[rabatsa]

Be careful. I found when I was looking for one that there were a lot of foreign and poorly made ones about. They looked great on top but had nails that could stick into the horses back. Have a really good prod and feel around before any purchase.

 

[ponyparty]

Indecisiveness rules my life too - that and procrastination. And talking rather than doing.

But the saddle is just up the road...

It's cheap...

They will almost certainly let you try it on your horse, have a sit in it, and see for yourself what you think.

Might be worth getting off the couch and giving it a go.

(I am less indecisive with others.)

Taking horse to try it would be the best way to do it, but I can’t as since I split from my partner I have no tow vehicle. So my trailer is pretty useless now!

I think I will just procrastinate for longer. And then probably do something totally reckless that wasn’t even an option on the cards to begin with. That’s usually how it goes

 

[ponyparty]

I wouldn't! I love riding in them but everything I've seen in this country has been narrow and uncomfortable. Bruises on inside of legs uncomfortable.....

Definitely don’t want that!!

Curved ball there are quite a few treeless saddles around with poleys. Ghost come to mind or Trekka

Not averse to treeless, but not sure which are good for TB shape with withers. Tried a treeless on her that belonged to previous YM and it was just totally the wrong shape. Will do some research though.

 

[Cloball]

I like the idea of it with the bucking rolls but I've decided to save up for a Franco C or specialized light weight one for my flying monkey. I have only ridden in one and it definitely flung the keg out forwards. You do see them on FB quite often pretty cheap which is tempting but also suspicious.

 

[Poingsettia]

For security in the saddle, and depth, I love my Wintec western. Suits a high wither, but also a flat cob. So comfy and not heavy.

 

[dorsetladette]

Can you send the advert to your saddler to see what they think? My saddler told me to avoid a saddle I was inquiring about as she had seen something wrong with it that I hadn't. (I didn't even tell her I was looking - think she stalks her clients online )

I lady I know lost her nerve a little after having her first baby. She was riding her welsh cob stallion at the time and he was as wide as he was tall. she used a stock saddle on him for a while to give her a bit more security in the saddle while he was bouncing about telling everyone who beautiful he was. So I don't think all stock saddles are narrow as he was super super wide.

 

[silv]

Your best bet would be to get a secondhand bates off eBay and get a bates fitter to adjust it for you. There are so many poorly made ones out there. I had one for a while as I do a lot of day/multi day rides on steep country, I found it fine for just walking which is what they are designed for but obviously due to the poleys it’s difficult/painful to ride to the trot and you can’t get off the horses back to canter or gallop , plus it puts you pretty much in the chair position. If you are doing long slow rides over steep country it will be fine otherwise I wouldn’t bother, they are very difficult to fall out of so are good for riding green horses, I reverted back to using my WOW dressage saddle it’s got a deep seat and large knee rolls and is more comfortable

 

[SEL]

Western saddles can give you the same sense of security if that's what's key?

I sat some awesome acrobatics from youngsters when I used to ride overseas a lot in western saddles. Just as secure as the stock saddles.

 

[suestowford]

I had one once. It fitted a very wide pony well and he seemed to like it. Comfortable to ride in too but very very heavy.
But it was very pretty and had leather stirrups like cowboys use

 

[canteron]

If it’s stability in the saddle, I have one of the Wintec Endurance Saddles. First my horse goes really well in it, second its adjustable, thirdly is a suede finish with awesome adjustable knee blocks and a deep seat, so really secure.

Not cheap, but hold their value.

 

[YourValentine]

Western saddles can give you the same sense of security if that's what's key?

I sat some awesome acrobatics from youngsters when I used to ride overseas a lot in western saddles. Just as secure as the stock saddles.

How did you sit stuff in a Western saddle? I'm pretty good at sitting acrobatics, but I've never been so closely acquainted with the arena surface as the summer I worked breaking in youngsters on a QH ranch in Western saddles. I would have killed for a stock saddle, or even just a nice GP

 

[silv]

If it’s stability in the saddle, I have one of the Wintec Endurance Saddles. First my horse goes really well in it, second its adjustable, thirdly is a suede finish with awesome adjustable knee blocks and a deep seat, so really secure.

Not cheap, but hold their value.

They are very popular here, I rode in a friends one and absolutely hated it...maybe it is just me.

 

[ThreeFurs]

Designed, as Silv said, to be very hard to fall out of. [out on your own in the bush, falling, getting injured, when your droving, and a week away from the nearest hospital, not a good idea.]

Invented in colonial times as a hybrid of the English park saddle and the Western saddle, except some major unique features.

Because we campdraft, rather than rope and throw cattle, there is no 'horn' at the front for a lasso. Doesn't have knee blocks but instead has these big 'elephant' ear projections that wrap around the top of your thighs, along with a deep seat and high cantle. Yes, chair seat is the aim, as its safer on a wild bush horse to have your feet in front of you, better balance when working stock, and less tiring when your 12 hours riding a day.

Most of my friends have a stock saddle for trail riding the young ones, and a dressage/whatever saddle for the rest of the time.

As an art / design historian, I have slipped Powerpoint images of them into history of Australian Design lectures, as they fascinate me because of the history and culture that went into the design. I've ridden in them, but as a dressage rider it feels weird.

WoW do make one as well.

Hope you find a nice one!

 

[ponyparty]

Designed, as Silv said, to be very hard to fall out of. [out on your own in the bush, falling, getting injured, when your droving, and a week away from the nearest hospital, not a good idea.]

Invented in colonial times as a hybrid of the English park saddle and the Western saddle, except some major unique features.

Because we campdraft, rather than rope and throw cattle, there is no 'horn' at the front for a lasso. Doesn't have knee blocks but instead has these big 'elephant' ear projections that wrap around the top of your thighs, along with a deep seat and high cantle. Yes, chair seat is the aim, as its safer on a wild bush horse to have your feet in front of you, better balance when working stock, and less tiring when your 12 hours riding a day.

Most of my friends have a stock saddle for trail riding the young ones, and a dressage/whatever saddle for the rest of the time.

As an art / design historian, I have slipped Powerpoint images of them into history of Australian Design lectures, as they fascinate me because of the history and culture that went into the design. I've ridden in them, but as a dressage rider it feels weird.

WoW do make one as well.

Hope you find a nice one!
View attachment 143080

They are very beautiful and I like that they’re not as massive as Western saddles. I also love the history of them. It’s on my bucket list to go back to Aus and do some proper bush riding/droving. One day!

 

[Landcruiser]

I had quite a few through my hands a decade or so ago, including a Sid Hill which was beautiful, weighed a ton, but I was able to sell on at a profit when it didn't fit either of my horses. My favourite was an old South African stock/polocrosse one which was relatively light, and fit my narrow shouldered criollo perfectly - I rode in it for years. Bought filthy and unloved off ebay for under £100, sold years later for £300 gleaming like a conker. The only one bought new was for my wider shouldered boy, bought by my then sharer as she wanted the security. Over stuffed, and not great quality in comparison to the "real" ones.
I actually quite like the look of the Bates/Wintec ones, and have a friend that does TREC in one, including jumping up to 70cm.
You do need different stirrup leathers for them, and an overgirth on most of them. I found them comfortable and certainly didn't find they put me in a chair seat (but I'm a Western rider generally so ride long). I'd say - if it's cheap and/or a good make, give it a go and sell on if it doesn't suit.

 

[canteron]

They are very popular here, I rode in a friends one and absolutely hated it...maybe it is just me.

Yes, they are a bit marmite - also you need to spend time adjusting the knee blocks - and stirrup bars (a few centimeters makes so much difference) to suit you (Wintec Endurance Saddles).

 

[ponyparty]

If it’s stability in the saddle, I have one of the Wintec Endurance Saddles. First my horse goes really well in it, second its adjustable, thirdly is a suede finish with awesome adjustable knee blocks and a deep seat, so really secure.

Not cheap, but hold their value.

Yes, they are a bit marmite - also you need to spend time adjusting the knee blocks - and stirrup bars (a few centimeters makes so much difference) to suit you (Wintec Endurance Saddles).

I have been looking at these too! There's one on Marketplace in the size I need. Sounds like I could do with trying before I buy though, and it's nowhere near.

I had quite a few through my hands a decade or so ago, including a Sid Hill which was beautiful, weighed a ton, but I was able to sell on at a profit when it didn't fit either of my horses. My favourite was an old South African stock/polocrosse one which was relatively light, and fit my narrow shouldered criollo perfectly - I rode in it for years. Bought filthy and unloved off ebay for under £100, sold years later for £300 gleaming like a conker. The only one bought new was for my wider shouldered boy, bought by my then sharer as she wanted the security. Over stuffed, and not great quality in comparison to the "real" ones.
I actually quite like the look of the Bates/Wintec ones, and have a friend that does TREC in one, including jumping up to 70cm.
You do need different stirrup leathers for them, and an overgirth on most of them. I found them comfortable and certainly didn't find they put me in a chair seat (but I'm a Western rider generally so ride long). I'd say - if it's cheap and/or a good make, give it a go and sell on if it doesn't suit.

It's a Kimberley Campdrafter, if that makes any sense to you?

I might go for it y'know. Can sell it on if it's no good, and get a saddler out who stocks Wintec (the one I currently use is very much K&M, Thorowgood etc., because that worked well for me with previous horse) and try a few, including the Endurance.

 

[Landcruiser]

I have been looking at these too! There's one on Marketplace in the size I need. Sounds like I could do with trying before I buy though, and it's nowhere near.

It's a Kimberley Campdrafter, if that makes any sense to you?

I might go for it y'know. Can sell it on if it's no good, and get a saddler out who stocks Wintec (the one I currently use is very much K&M, Thorowgood etc., because that worked well for me with previous horse) and try a few, including the Endurance.

If that's "Bates Kimberley" I'd give it a go. If it's "Kimberley Saddles" I think it may be Asian made and I'd probably give it a miss.