Many people prefer Australian style saddles because they weigh less (so are easier to handle) and are comfortable. You see a lot of them with people who only do trail rides and don’t need a big heavy saddle for work.
From the Down Under saddle Supply website:
“When Australia was originally settled in 1788 by the English, they brought with them horses, saddles and tack. Being very different from England, the new settlers soon began changing the design of their equipment to better suit their harsh, unforgiving, remote environment. Because the the Australians used their saddles primarily for handling livestock, the saddles became known as Australian stock saddles.
“The most obvious change was the addition of what was to be called Poleys (kneepads). When seated in the saddle, the Poleys should be parallel to the rider’s thigh and about 1/2” away. The Poleys show their true value in keeping the rider securely seated when riding up or down any kind of incline.
“A highly efficient, yet simple double girthing system is used to attach an Australian saddle to the horse. The attached billet straps and the overgirth both buckle directly to the girth using a unique leverage system. The double girthing system allows the rider to girth the saddle tighter, more efficiently, which helps eliminate slippage. Should a billet strap break, the overgirth provides additional safety.
“Stirrup leathers hang from the stirrup bars on the saddle tree and are designed for easy release by sliding backwards. Under most circumstances, should the rider take a fall and be dragged, the stirrup leathers will release from the saddle, reducing the risk of injury.
“Seat sizes range from 14-inch to 22-inch in some models, to suit riders from 50 to 350 pounds. As with people, horses also come in different shapes and sizes. Saddle trees come in several widths to suit ponies to extra wide horses. All we need to know is your height ,weight, and pant size, along with the height, weight and breed of your horse, then we can help make your selection real easy.
“In short, the Australian saddle is a saddle that has evolved for the rider, horse, and pure necessity. The ability of the serge lined panel to conform to the shape of the horse without touching anything, has been proven consistently for nearly 200 years, on the harshest, driest and most unforgiving continent on Earth, Australia …. Where these saddles are put to the greatest test of all … they are used seven days a week, ten hours a day, 365 days a year, year after year.”
“Rider Comfort. The suspended seat of an Aussie saddle means that your pelvic bones are making contact with a surface that “gives” like a hammock rather than a hard wood surface. The easy to turn leathers and balanced seating position are easy on your knees.
“Horse Fitment. Because Australian saddles are lighter and more compact than a Western saddle, they are naturally more comfortable for the horse. In addition, the stuffed serge panels on most Aussie saddles gives extra cushion.
“Safety. The poleys (or kneepads) at the front of the saddle will keep a rider in the seat better than any other type of saddle. In combination with a deep seat, the poleys give the most secure ride around. If a rider should come off of the saddle the leathers can slide off the stirrup bar in the event that the rider gets caught up in the stirrup.
“Riding Position. The seat of an Australian saddle naturally puts the rider in a balanced riding position, with half the rider’s weight in the seat and half in the stirrups. Also, the close contact nature of the flaps, leathers, and rigging mean that the rider gets a better feel for their horse, allowing better control.
“Light Weight. Aussie saddles range from 14 pounds to 26 pounds, fully fitted. Both the rider and horse can be happy about that!”
You can get more information at their website by clicking HERE.