This message is from: Mary Thurman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
--- Denise Delgado <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This message is from: "Denise Delgado" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > thanks mary, > your post was educating for me in regards to > saddles. why do so many people > out there like (love) those aussie saddles? Good question. Admittedly, they are not cheap if you buy the 'real thing' made in Australia! I think it is because they are more secure than an english saddle, but not as 'restrictive' as a western saddle. Plus the 'style' of them is more english looking. Also, for people who are looking for a non-english saddle to fit a Fjord, they used to be about the only game in town. I've seen a couple of recent posts which say they are 'heavy' - 30 to 32 pounds. Guess these people haven't lifted an older western saddle lately! The really new western saddles - made of Cordura and other synthetics - are around 25 pounds, but my old one weighs around 40 pounds. Uff Da!! However, my horse is pretty short so it isn't all that far up to his back from the saddle rack. what > are the benefits verses > disavantages to the forward sitting placments and > also the legs? The Aussie puts your seat at about the same place as you would sit on the horse if riding bareback. It's easier to balance there, and it's easier on the horse. He can balance the rider's weight better if it is more towards his withers. If you sit right in the middle of his back, his back gets tired, and the gaits feel rougher to the rider. Also, if he makes a sudden movement, it's harder to catch your balance if you are right in the middle of his back. An Aussie has 'free swinging' stirrups, like an english saddle, so you can position your legs forward, center, or in between - keeps your legs from getting as tired, takes the strain off your lower back, makes balancing easier. You actually sit in it with your thighs under the "poley" ears, knees slightly bent, heels down, leg going slightly forward of your butt. In the older western saddles this was NOT possible. Your leg went straight down and stayed that way. Not very comfortable over a long ride. but then i/ve > heard they can be a bugger to get out of in a > hurry... I've never had any trouble 'bailing out' of one. Only did it a couple of times, though. Guess you need to be familiar enough with the saddle to remember that your leg has to come back - out from under the 'poley' - before you can jump off. Believe me, you are more apt to get your jacket or shirt caught on the horn of a western saddle when bailing out, than to get stuck in an Aussie. Of course, the idea is supposed to be that you don't "bail out" - that's why the Aussie is built like it is, so the rider can stay put no matter what the horse does. Mary ===== Mary Thurman Raintree Farms [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com
