English settlers in Australia developed the Australian saddle to stand up to the harsh environment. They designed this saddle to be comfortable enough to work long hours on horseback and rugged enough to stand up to rough conditions and use. To ensure a more secure ride over rough terrain, they added knee pads on the front of the saddle. Called "poleys," these knee pads rest parallel to the rider's thigh and about 3/4 inch away; this way, the rider can move his thighs forward to lock himself into the saddle when riding up or down steep hills or when the horse moves suddenly.
Step 1
Brush your horse to remove dirt and debris from all areas where the saddle, saddle pad and cinch will contact the horse. The cinch is the strap that runs under the horse's belly to hold the saddle on its back. Cleaning these areas will prevent discomfort to the horse when you put the saddle on.
Step 2
Place the saddle pad flat on your horse's back. An Australian saddle sits farther forward on the horse's back than a regular Western saddle. Place the saddle pad over the horse's withers--the high point of the back where it meets the neck, between the shoulder blades--and slide it back into place; this will prevent the horse's hair from being rubbed the wrong way and causing discomfort. Smooth any wrinkles or lumps of fabric to prevent pressure points when you add the weight of the saddle.
Step 3
Holding your saddle with the knee pads to your left, pull up the cinch and stirrup from the far side and lay them over the saddle's seat. This step will prevent the straps from getting in the way or ending up underneath the saddle when you put it on your horse's back.
Step 4
Set the saddle down gently on your horse; don't thump it down or your horse will begin to think of saddling as an unpleasant experience. Your Australian saddle will sit just behind the horse's withers with the girth 1 to 3 inches behind the front legs. This placement keeps weight off the horse's spine while not interfering with its shoulder movement.
Step 5
Walk around to the other side of your horse and gently lower the cinch and stirrup. Walk back around and reach carefully under your horse's belly to grab the cinch and pull it to your side.
Step 6
Lift the saddle's flap on your side of the horse and buckle the straps to the buckles on the end of the cinch. Tighten the straps to hold the saddle securely on your horse's back.
Step 7
Walk your horse around or mount it and ride for a few minutes, then check the girth again to make sure it is still tight.
Tips and Warnings
- A properly fitted Australian saddle will be level on your horse's back. If it sits higher in the front or the back, it is not properly fitted and may cause pinching or other discomfort to your horse's spine. Practice saddling your horse from both sides. A horse whose rider saddles it from the same side every time can become "one-sided" or nervous about being approached from the off side.
- Placing your saddle too far forward or too far back on your horse will cause discomfort to your horse. Always wear an equestrian helmet when riding, and be aware of your horse's movement while working with it from the ground. Even gentle horses can spook and cause accidents.
Things You'll Need
- Brush
- Saddle pad
- Australian saddle
- Equestrian helmet
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