Any experience with Syd Hill, or other Aussie saddles?

I'm looking for a new saddle. I ride a high-withered 16h quarter horse ... mostly long distance ... competitive trail riding ... hunting ... exploring. I've got a Cirle-Y western, and an english endurance saddle. Both are nice, but not "just right." The Aussies are comfortable, and Syd Hill seems to be quality.

Any experience before I get the credit card out?

Dont waste your time on that Aussie B.S.Get one of your local saddle makers to build you a saddle based on a 58 Wade tree w/bucking rolls flat plate 3/4 rigged.I am 62 and make my living horseback.I know what I am talking about,Circle Y might even make a saddle close to this if you get to the right dealer.w/regards

Yep ... BS. There's some detailed analysis.

I'd like to know if anyone has some experience with this saddle -- good or bad.

You'd probably be happy with an Australian saddle for competitve trail riding,they seem very popular for that. But, to my mind, there is nothing to hang stuff on for any serious hunting or trail riding. I have a couple of friends that have been using a kind of a hybrid between the Ausie and Western saddles and they seem very happy with then.
Grizz

Deertick - I have ridden and built both Aussie and what we here in NZ term "Western" saddles - what good old Gophershooter is referring to.

A rifle only has to suit you, your saddle has to fit both you and your horse. Most of the several professional horsemen I know (both here and in Aussie) have several saddles so they can fit most horses they are likey to ride.

So . . . if you have your own horse, make sure the saddle fits him first, then you, and then have a saddler modify it so that you can hang your gear off it.

Syd Hill used to be about middle of the road quality, I haven't seen a new one for several years, but would think that they would stand up to everything that a SAS (Saturday and Sunday) rider could throw at them - kinda comparable with the mid range Circle Y saddles, although I have only ever seen a couple of them over here.. If you ride a lot more than that then you'd be better getting one built like Gophershooter says.

Cheers - Foster

PS - a Aussie saddle needs a couple of diffrent bits of gear for mountain ridding, it doesn't have a double cinch, so you need a crupper, that goes under his tail and stops the saddle going forward (best you don't fit it up first time and just step aboard - otherwise you might eat some dirt, but he'll get used to it quick) and a "Y" breastplate. I'd be using a surcingle for rough country too.

Gophershooter - what you doin' with that flat plate riggin in a working saddle, I thought all working saddles were still rigged full double. I like a Wade tree though, my first saddle was built on one and we see a lot of them over here in NZ.

Tentman;Full double rigging used to be all anyone rode,but in the last twenty years flat plate has really caught on and most saddles in the Northwestern US are made that way.Flat plate sets better on a horse and even when roping you dont have to have your girth really tight.w/regards

Deertick,
I've been using a Syd Hill Bushmaster Poley for 6 years now and my westerns gather dust. I work in Australia and get one major hunt a year and always pack/hunt in the Rockies taking my saddle with me so being able to fit my horses, friends or outfitters horses are important. The Aussie comfort and safety features are outstanding, the flexible bars (mine are full Quarter horse) fit a wide variety of and the free swinging stirrup leathers are much better for my bad knees than the fixed fenders on western saddles. I use a standard western breast collar rather than a aussie breastplate. I've never used a crupper but must admit at time it would have been a good idea. The bushmaster has many more tie down points than a western so I never have a problem with scabbards, cantle bags, etc. If there is anyway you can try one out I would recommend you jump on it.

Good to hear. The Syd Hills seem to be comfortable and well-built.

I now need to see if I'm going to need a new horse or not. If so, I'll wait to get a saddle that'll fit.

I never liked Aussie saddles. My partner loves them, but she doesn't hunt & takes short (3 hr) rides. I researched saddles some years back while designing a mule saddle & publishing an article on it. Subsequently had quite a few made. I could probably find the manuscript if you'd like to read it.
The main thing I found was that the folks who made their living on a horse and those who built saddles for them (sometimes the same), knew exactly what they were doing 100 years ago and way beyond. IMO, there has been no major improvement in a working saddle than a well fitted (to the horse) rawhide covered wood (western) tree and conventional saddle construction using good leather. You can customize about anything on it, swells, seat, cantle, horn, rigging, trim, etc. I've been riding half a century. Even though I may be a little set in my ways, I researched it (I believe) objectively.

brayhaven,
Thanks for the input. I agree ... western saddles are very useful, functional, and versitile. I own and ride several. Most of my riding (like most folks these days) is recreational, not commercial. As far as that goes, we do some endurance riding, and a western saddle is not ideal for that. But I don't want a strictly endurance saddle ... nothing to tie on to. A scabbard and cantle-bag won't fit on my english endurance rig. The Aussies seem like a nice compromise.

quote:

Originally posted by Deertick:
brayhaven,
Thanks for the input. I agree ... western saddles are very useful, functional, and versitile. I own and ride several. Most of my riding (like most folks these days) is recreational, not commercial. As far as that goes, we do some endurance riding, and a western saddle is not ideal for that. But I don't want a strictly endurance saddle ... nothing to tie on to. A scabbard and cantle-bag won't fit on my english endurance rig. The Aussies seem like a nice compromise.

As I said, I know some folks who really love them. I do like the fact they (the good ones) can be fitted to the horse/mule by a good saddler without changing trees. This is a good thing if you have a young horse that will change shape a little by the time he's 7 or 8.
Like you, I love my cantle & pommel bags, a horn to hang the wine bota & binocs on and lots of D-rings for tying on my gear, scabbard, slicker etc.
I've had to use the horn to drag a reluctant horse across water a time or 2. I don't know if the Aussie would stand up to that.

Gophershooter,
I also like a flatplate Wade buckaroo saddle for ranching, but to say its better for roping is just not altogether right..It will do for pasture roping and some get by in the arena at local jackpots. Its highspot is comfort.

I team rope and I want a smaller than normal Western handmade saddle (14.5 inch tree and I am 6-2, 200 lbs) that keeps me up in the front end of my saddle where I can rope and be quick, not back in the cantle. I sometimes ride this saddle in the pasture or mountains and its not too bad as I am used to it, but I would prefer the Wade tree for this..

Ray;You are right and I meant for pasture roping and doctoring.For Team roping a TM Roper is the best IMO.All of my saddles are built by Bob Pletan of Wilsall MT he is one of the best in this region.I also like a short seat,my saddles are 14 inches and I am 5'9' 160lbs.W/regards

I have been looking at saddles for a while now. I like the Tucker Plantation saddle in the western style. Very comfortable, with lots of rings and straps to hang things on. No horn but a robust open pomel arch that could uspport a roap on occassion. I am also looking at the premium grade synthetics. they seem to be well made, lighter in weight and don't have the care problems that a leather saddle have. They are a love or hate thing no inbetween that I find. Do not get a seat too small. Find one that fits you and the horse. You will be surprized at how much better a well fitted saddle feels over the long haul.
Judge Sharpe