Horses

Request: Aussie Stock Saddles

It’s request time here at Granite Glen… just so you know, I do take questions and requests. Of course it has to be a reasonable request, and you need to keep it clean people!
Today’s is from Remudamom – somewhere in rural USA – who is desperate to know about Aussie stock saddles. (OK, perhaps not desperate, but she’s asked twice, so I’m thinking she REALLY wants to know). Now I’m no saddler (can anyone hum Peter Allan’s “Tenterfield Saddler” as background music please? Thanks) but to the best of my knowledge, the main type used on cattle properties in this region and throughout rural Australia are stock saddles.
.

This is my Dad’s Aussie stock saddle.

When I was growing up, the saddles had leathers (to hold the stirrups) which looked like belts – slim straps of leather with simple metal stirrups. These days the American influence has transformed the old stirrup leathers into what is known as ‘swinging fenders’. This is where the wide flap of leather under the rider’s leg and the stirrup leather have been replaced by a single piece of leather – wider than the original stirrup leather. It’s more comfortable for the rider (no pinching the leg as the stirrup moves back and forth) but a little less free in movement.

How are my non-riding readers going?? Hang in there, it’s fascinating stuff… really!

I have tried to ride in an American saddle – with the horn that they use for roping etc. It sat me weirdly forward and high. My uncle reckons they are the most uncomfortable saddles to ride in – and he should know as he rode in one for years. He was a rodeo man and enjoyed a strong Yank influence on his style (both in the saddle and out!). I like our saddles as you feel much closer to the horse, but it’s also probably just what I am used to…

For those who aren’t cattle people, Aussie stock saddles are used for mustering cattle in the paddock and sports such as polocrosse and campdrafting. The pic above shows my brother seperating a beast (cow/steer) from a mob of cattle – this is called ‘cutting out’ and is one of the skills used in campdrafting. I shall bring you some campdrafting action in the next week or so.
We tend to use more American saddles for sports like rodeo (roping, steer wrestling, buckjumps etc) and cutting.
So here endeth the lesson on Aussie stock saddles.
Tomorrow’s post: fires!

8 Comments

  • Alison

    And I thought stock saddles were made so people like me wouldn’t fall off as easily!
    I’m not a fan of the American saddles either.
    Tomorrows post sounds intriguing…

  • dykewife

    what is the raised leather thing in front of the thigh?

    i’ve only ridden with american type saddles. the second one had some sort of weird boxy shape that left my inner thighs bruised something fierce. it was a rental that i rode during the calgary stampede parade.

    i actually don’t ride, though i adore horses. i’m one of those riders whose sitting can best be described as “a sack of sh*t” (i kept it clean, just like you asked.

  • Bush Babe (of Granite Glen)

    Dykewife: We call those bits knee pads – your thigh sits in behind them (ideally!) and it’s less painful to land on than an American horn (oh dear, and I was trying to keep it clean!!!).

    You need my Dad to school you up on riding – straight line between shoulder, hip and heel! Golden rule…
    🙂
    BB

  • Anonymous

    Well bless your little Aussie heart! Thanks so much for giving me a good look at the saddles you use. Even though I had the horn cut off mine, it’s still not as authentic as I had hoped. Mine has an overgirth, which I see yours doesn’t, and my stirrups are a bit different. I also see that you don’t have all the horrid padding that my saddle does, so that I feel like I’m way above my horse, I don’t like that much. And I see you don’t have a back girth, or use a crupper, or a breast plate.

    I love the poleys. They saved me from coming off a spin once. Only one of my horse saddles is a “cowboy” type roping saddle, and our ponies wear saddles with horns, but I prefer my three Aussie wannabe saddles.

    Now, Clinton Anderson is my favorite trainer, what do you Aussies think of him?

    Would you mind if I saved a picture of your saddle to show some horse buddies?

    Drop by my Round Pen anytime.

    http://www.xanga.com/remudamom

    Remudamom

  • Bush Babe (of Granite Glen)

    Remudamom – feel free to use the pic… sometimes riders use additional circingles (spelling?) and cruppers, but usually just as you see it. I really love “feeling” the horse when I ride, rather than sitting above it. But I am no expert.

    I am not aquainted with the trainer you mention… was it your blog I saw that amazing woman who could ride in reigning comps with no bridle or saddle? That was impressive…

    Glad to help
    BB

  • Anonymous

    Thanks for the picture permission.

    I’m very surprised you don’t recognize Clinton Anderson’s name. He’s a young fellow, grew up in Queensland I think, then came to the states and is making bundles selling his techniques, tack and know how. His site is called Down Under Horsemanship.

    Before he left Australia he worked under Gordon McKinlay and then Ian Francis. Won some sort of national reining competition.

    Stacey Westfall is the amazing new competitor here in the States. She’s got the competition pretty worried.

    Remudamom

  • Bush Babe (of Granite Glen)

    Remudamom – first, you need to understand that I am no horse expert… I love ’em and all. But I have been a city gal for the past 20 years, so I am really a born-again greenhorn. I do know Ian Francis pretty well, and will investigate with those “in the know” about Clinton Anderson. They will probably look at me like I’m an idiot and say “Of course, haven’t YOU heard of him??” … that’s OK. I’m used to it. I’m such a greenhorn..
    🙂
    BB

  • I'm Mikey

    I used to ride in a stock saddle like that and I loved it. I ride both English and Western and found it to be the perfect combination, especially working younger horses. I started with that and would transition both ways from there.
    I also liked that when a horse got to bucking, you’re tucked in, nice big seat to grind down in, and no saddle horn to catch your crotch. Cause that really hurts (I know this from experience, sounds like you do too).
    I had a friend ride in it when her green horse took her for a ride down a steep hill. Last I saw before she disappeared in the trees was her over his ears, toes hanging onto to the thigh guards. She said later she would have come off long before w/o those.
    Great saddles!

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