Australian Saddles - Compared to Western and English Saddles

Whilst in the UK the English saddle is still the most common, there are some riders who prefer the heavier, and more substantial Western saddle, particularly for trekking or trail riding.
Whether you are currently riding English or Western, moving to an Australian saddle, particularly for longer rides, may be the perfect option both for rider comfort, as well as for the performance of your horse.
What Are The Differences between Western, English, and Australian Saddles?
With Western riding, the saddle is much more substantial, and features a pronounced horn to the front of the seat, and a higher cantle at the back, literally holding the rider in place. This saddle was originally designed to provide support for the rider, with sudden changes in direction on working horses, having to respond to sudden lateral movements and very sharp, immediate turns. The horn is also used as an anchor when roping cattle, and it is very much a necessary part of the saddle.
The English saddle, which is more common here, is not just one type of saddle but a general term. From the front of the saddle to the back instead of a horn there is a low pommel and then the slight rise of the twist into the seat and then a well-formed cantle.
Different forms of English riding will require a longer or shorter leg, but typically shorter overall than the Western style. The saddles are positioned on the horse to allow the full range of motion through the shoulders, particularly in dressage.
Saddles used for jumping have additional pads, and knee rolls for the rider, but overall the leathers are short and minimal, as compared to the Western saddle, which actually uses the term fenders for the leathers.
The Australian saddle is not a true hybrid of the two, but rather its own unique saddle designed for the specific needs of the rider. These saddles can have a horn or they may not, it is really all the preference of the rider, as well as a factor of how the saddle is to be used.
In general appearance, especially without the horn, it is more like the English saddle but more substantial. The cantle and the pommel are more pronounced, the girth is wider, the seat is deeper and the flaps (or leathers) are wider and longer, more like that of the Western saddle.
The stirrup leathers are more like that of an English saddle and there is a knee pad for additional rider support. The longer leg riding style is used with this saddle, which makes it more comfortable for many riders. Additionally, the legs sit to the front of the body, more like that of a Western riding style, making it a more natural position. This is just one of the reasons why these saddles are often favored for long hacking outings, or for endurance riding.
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[@lovehorse]

Have you ridden on any of the three types? What do you like or dislike about each type?

[@mikescomputercorner1204]

I haven't ridden western but have ridden mainly Australian stock saddle but have ridden with an english saddle when I participated in a Gymkhana when I was a teen. I do prefer the Aust saddle and the one thing thats always interested me was the mounting difference of australia to american horsemen.. As a jackeroo made to ride horses that were a bit unpredictable we always took a tight near rein and with 1 swift movement swung up from a position facing the rear of the horse where the American way is to step up into the stirrup facing the front of the horse and then stepping up with 1 fluid movement.. I don't know how easy or right it would be trying to mount using the australian saddle this way.

[@brucevogel2693]

Nice to have a comparison of all three types rather than two

[@ruthbenton4001]

Nice amount of information. Direct and to the point. No draaaaging on talking about nothing before getting to the info

[@lovehorse]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@kymharris269]

This information is slightly incorrect. A traditional Australian stock saddle has the winged knee pads in front of the thighs and sometimes behind the thighs as well, and padding like an English saddle. A hybrid or swinging fender saddle more often has a tree like a western, and similar in design, but with the winged knee pads instead of a western swell or pommel. The padding may be western or english but more often western. The stirrup leathers on a hybrid are western fenders instead of english leathers. Your video would be more informative if your images actually matched what was being said. You talked about western or Australian saddles, but showed police officers in english saddles, then a side saddle!

[@TheAnonyy]

Yes I was a bit perplexed about the mismatched pics

[@EB-3002]

When I go trail riding I use an Australian saddle but regularly I use an English saddle since I’m a jumper and I do cross country and a bit of dressage

[@notsosilentmajority1]

Very nice video and very informative as well. If you took your time and went a bit slower I think it would be better for your audience. You have good information but the speed was a bit quick. Best of luck.

[@gjianaisaac2281]

Endurance saddles (Australian) are my favourite they are great for everything

[@notsosilentmajority1]

Very nice video and very informative. If you went over the information just a bit slower it might be helpful to your audience. Your content was very good but it went by a bit too quickly. Best of luck.

[@felixvelasquez3447]

Can You Use A Australian Saddle For English Riding Because I am A English Rider Myself and I am Going to Have My Mares/Female Horses When I Become an English Rider myself.

[@felixvelasquez3447]

And Yes My Horse Gender Forever in my Life Are Mares Known as Female Horses.

[@courtneyosborn8358]

​@felixvelasquez3447 I mean I do 😂 who cares

[@felixvelasquez3447]

@@courtneyosborn8358 everybody should have their own preferenaces on Horses and all animals of Species and Nobody should Not Tell me or a Child of any age or a other adult that we can Not have Mares/Female Horses and what's Wrong with Mares well That's Normal when they bite and kick people when their in the Heat and You Know I don't believe People should be like that and you know what I don't if Their ignorant of Mares and They Shouldn't Because Their Just animals evan their didn't mean it it's the same with Huma s Actully.

[@Bethelhorses]

What I dont understand is, you are talking about the fit of the australian stock saddle, and showing pictures of english saddles and even a racing saddle? It would have made much more sense to show pics of an Australian STock saddle when discussing this as it just was confusing and didn't demonstrate what you were actually talking about .

[@johnsmith-ht3sy]

The Western saddle was developed from Spanish and Mexican design .

[@umbiquad]

O9

[@lazygardens]

ANNOYING COMPUTER VOICE!