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[RC] [Guest] Aussie Saddles (long) - Ridecamp GuestKaren Nelson knelson@xxxxxxxxxx Mel- I have 4 Aussie saddles. They are real ones-2 are made by Wayne Walker, 2 are made by Trevor James. All of them are over 12 years old. I have a distinct difference in a couple of the 5 horses I use them on. One mare has a really low back, so Colin Dangaard custom fit this mare- with photos, as she wasn't available direct--and it works wonderful on her. One of the Walkers is a little longer in the bars, but it worked very well on Sierra Fadwah, as I rode him 1470 miles and was 1988 Reserve Naational Champion Middleweight on him with that saddle. He also rolled in the saddle and broke the tree. Colin sent it back to Wayne Walker, and the saddle was re-treed for me. I still use it to this day, and I estimate it has over 12,000 miles on it, as I purchased it in early 1986. The leather is still very good, there has been no other major repairs, and I am a bum for "cleaning" and oiling my stuff. The billets are in great shape, and I ALWAYS ride with a syrcingle-Aussie style-, a breastplate, and a crupper. I use JAYEL saddle conditioner when I do "clean" and oil my stuff. I am still using the original girth and breastplate I got with the Walker. One of the James saddles is usable on 4 of the 5 horses I currently ride. The other of the James saddles works on the same 4. One of the Walker saddles works on 3 of the 5 and the largest one is the oldest one, and it will fit 3 of the 5 well, but it is a little longer on the bars, as I described. I use Toklat pads, the wool ones, and I try to keep them washed fairly often. I think salt/grunge/ etc causes lots of problems. I also have a couple of horsehair filled/woven wool Aussie pads that have held up very well. I have a large assortment of cruppers, breastplates, etc. I try to have each saddle totally rigged at all times, so I have spares. I don't like to strip/re-outfit a saddle every time I ride. I do use a different stirrup leather than the Aussie style which came with the original saddle. Colin makes a prox 2+ inch wide, single strap leather, which he calls the "Nelson Leather" (because of me- bg), which works like your belt with the buckle arrangement on the Dangaard irons he makes. The irons are wider and deeper, and have leather pads you can attach. The top of the iron has a buckle arrangement, with a cover sleeve, which is then just buckled onto the stirrup leather. I can change the length from on top of the horse at a walk, and have even done it at a trot. There is only one piece, no multiple straps to pinch your legs, no bouncing around if you lose a stirrup, and easy to recatch the iron without stopping. Talk to Colin about what I am describing. I don't know if he has any closeup pictures on his web site. I have NEVER had any failure of this stirrup leather or iron. They are tough. You didn't indicate where you live. If you contact me, I will help you more, and if you are nearby, I will show you. 530-274-8055 in NO Calif. For the person who asked about riding with longer stirrups: Yes I do. When riding Fadwah, Jim B bugged me to shorted my leathers. I did- then Fadwah shied when I was at the apex of posting, and he dumped me in the desert. I got back on, lowered the stirrups, and finished 7th. The 7th place has a long story behind it, but I still got 7th! The Poleys at the front of the saddle saved me more than once, and one of the times involved a ground-covering trot and a momma pig with babies. Wouldn't be here today if not for those Poleys!!! Hope this clears up some of the questions. Colin also has a video tape explaining how to fit an Aussie saddle, and how you should be sitting in the saddle. I rode 7 different horses in calendar 1987, 5 of which I got on at the starting line. I wasn't pulled from a single event, and I was riding the older Walker saddle.Sorry this is long... Karen Nelson AERC #4299 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= http://www.endurance.net/ads/seabiscuit.html Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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