Wale Akin-William [Founder, e-horse riding saddles To get a very good deal on quality Australian saddles visit www.e-horseridingsaddles.com. It's a home to very good horse saddles at affordable prices.
The popularity of the Australian Stock Saddle came about right after the release of the movie, "The Man from Snowy River" in 1982. This great movie has one of the best horseback riding scenes as far as time can tell, and all of its riding was done on Australian saddles. The news of this saddle type soon spread like wild fire, and the Australian Saddle gained its name amongst the existing equestrian world.
The origin of the Australian Saddle came about shortly after the English settled in Australia in 1788. The English brought with them horses, saddles and equestrian tacks of all kind. Not so long after their arrival, they soon realized that there was huge and distinct difference between their homeland and Australia. So, the commitment and drive to mold the existing English saddle into something which suits the harsh environment came about. They began changing the design of their saddles and equestrian tack into something that would march-up with the harsh, rigid and rugged environment; hence an evolution of the existing English saddle surfaced with its variations and was populated with the name, "Australian Saddle". They needed a saddle that would be comfortable while working long hours on horseback for both the rider and the horse itself. This saddle had to be tough and durable for the intended rugged use, yet again be light weight and easy to girth.
The Australian Saddle has been in existence for over a hundred years. The fundamental English saddle was made tougher and more robust so it could be capable of withstanding the considerable stress and hardship of the Australian environment. Fittings [like d-rings and bridge staples] were added so riders could carry their gear with them. However, the major difference the Australian Saddle poses is in the introduction of the device called 'poleys'. The 'poleys' [or a type of knee pad] provides a more secure and safe horseback riding on sloppy and inclined areas. They are placed in front of the saddle and parallel to the thighs of the rider, about ¾" Inches away. The 'poleys' give the major difference the Australian Saddle has in contrast with the other types of horse riding saddles like the Western Saddle or the typical English saddle. With the 'poleys', one can easily distinguish the Australian Saddle from these other horse riding saddles.
The Australian horse riding saddle has a simple [highly efficient] double 'girthing' which is used to attach it to the horse. The billet straps (which are sewn to the saddle) and the over girth (a strap going across the top of the saddle) both buckle directly to the girth. This double system allows the rider to girth the saddle more effectively, which helps eliminate slippage. Should a billet strap break, the over-girth provides additional safety.
Australian saddles rest more on the horse's shoulders in contrast with the general and popular type saddles [like the western] which sits on the horse's spine area. So it is widely known that the Australian saddle is placed more forward than the others, and the stirrups are attached in a more forward position as well. This puts the rider's center of mass right on the spot where the weight could be distributed evenly throughout the horse's body, and it is a popular dogma that this saddle position type provides comfort to the horse which in turn improves and enhance the horse's performance.
Most people find that the Australian riding position is also more comfortable for the rider. With the riders feet forward of the hips there is better weight distribution, resulting in less stress on the knees. And the 2 ½" Inches leathers make it easy to turn the stirrups in the correct position. Many riders who experience knee problems with Western and English saddles do not have problems with Australian saddle. However, if you like to be able to move forward in your seat when going up steep hills, it's very hard to do in an Australian saddle because of the 'poleys'. They generally come in a few different widths just like Western saddles. The 'poleys' have also evolved from time to time by moving up from the rider's thigh towards the upper part of the legs.
(More to come in the next release of the Australian Saddle pt2)
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Sibak Al-khayl (horse Racing) in Islam
- Horse Racing Forms
- A Look at the Horse Racing Games Available on the Internet
- The Spirit of True Competition in Horse Racing
- Betting on Horse Racing ~ Sensible Money Management (part 2)
- When Handicapping Horse Races, Here is What to Look For in a Paddock Or Saddling Ring Before Betting
- Betting on Horse Racing ~ Sensible Money Management (part 1)
- Horse Racing Handicapping Tip Number 2 for Horses First or Second Off the Claim
Horse Riding Equipment: Things You Need
By: Aneeta | 23/12/2009Horse riding equipment is intended for the care and maintenance of your horse. Typically, it includes saddles, bridles, bits, rugs, harnesses, whips and even boots. You can find leather as the main component for all these articles, though occasionally you might find synthetic items too. They should be cleaned often to maintain them for a long life and the safety and hygiene of your horse.
What equipment do I need to begin horse riding?
By: Phil Adams-Wright | 22/12/2009Horse riding is something that has been done for centuries, from the days where it was the only form of transport to the wide variety of horse riding styles and purposes that exist today. Horse riding is done for a variety of different reasons today, from farm working to horse racing as well as a variety of other popular sports such as Polo and dressage.
Choosing the right equipment for your horses
By: Phil Adams-Wright | 22/12/2009Horse riding is a long time activity that dates back many centuries; it is now the basis of many sports, farming and transport. This has brought about a wide range of different equipment that horses can have or use to fulfil the purpose they have to undertake. A lot of equipment is made for specific purposes and so if you buy the wrong equipment you could end up not only wasting valuable money but also end up with a horse that becomes irritable or un-co-operative.
3 Simple Tips to Help You Straighten and Center Your Position on Your Horse
By: Ruth Hogan Poulsen | 21/12/2009Can you tell if your position is straight and centered on your horse? Or are you collapsing at your waist and sitting crookedly?
Sit Centered and Balanced for Effective Horseback Riding
By: Ruth Hogan Poulsen | 18/12/2009Horseback riding is all about balance and staying centered. You always want to keep your horse in good balance for his stage of training no matter what your discipline. It doesn't matter whether you’re a dressage rider, a western pleasure rider, a trail rider, or an event rider. Correct balance is essential to effective riding because the center of your balance directly affects your horse’s balance.
Men’s Riding Jackets
By: Aneeta | 08/12/2009It is best to avoid jackets that are the cheapest you can buy, because durability and quality do carry a price tag. When it comes to men’s riding jackets, workmanship and quality material are far more important than cost. Most often they will be a one time investment, and therefore you need to give more attention to quality and appearance than the price tag.
Inside the Modern Horses Mouth - Dental Wear
By: temp_262933 | 03/12/2009Horses have 24 deciduous teeth (non permanent) and 36 to 44 permanent. The numbers of permanent teeth can vary mainly depending on gender. Read more.
Saddle Shopping Tips
By: Terry | 02/12/2009It is inevitable that the day will come when you need to buy a new saddle. It has become a huge industry with ever changing technology. Are you wondering where to begin? Read these helpful saddle shopping tips to get you started out right
I-Saddles: Differences Between Horse Riding Saddles (part 1)
By: Wale Akin-William | 07/05/2009 | EquestrianHorse Saddle: I am the lovely piece of work placed on the horse's back for riders to sit upon. I ensure stability for both the rider and the horse, and distribute the weight of the rider evenly on the horse's back. I come in many different forms, numerous enough to make your head spin.