How to measure the seat on your Australian saddle

15" Western Saddle is equivalent to a 17" Australian Saddle
 
  English        Western          Australian  
    15"               13"                   15"
    16"               14"                   16"
    17"               15"                   17"
    18"               16"                   18"
    19"               17"                   19"

Measure your saddle from the front of the gullet, to the back of the seat to get the proper seat measurement, as shown at left. If you normally ride in a 17" english saddle, then you need a 17" Australian saddle. If you normally ride in a 15" western saddle, then you ride in an Australian seat two inches larger, usually a 17" seat. Some riders like more room in their seat, or between their thigh and the saddle poleys, and will choose one size larger than normal. Having a larger seat size will allow you to post in your saddle if you tend to post or stand in your stirrups. Some riders like the poleys right against their thigh, and will choose a snug fit. The poleys will usually prevent a rider from posting to full extension if the seat is fitted properly. This is personal preference; a close fit will help hold you in the saddle, a looser fit will allow you to stand in your stirrups or post.

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Wool surge or felt is more commonly used under an Australian saddle than fleece (like a western saddle) or leather panels (like an english saddle.) The overgirth is a common Australian saddle feature, which helps stabilize the saddle over hilly terrain. In Australia, stock horses are often seen with a crupper attached to the saddle, rather than a rear girth. In America, the crupper is rarely used.

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Different types of common
Australian saddles

There are several types or styles of Australian saddles, most come with or without a horn, depending on the rider's preference. The few kinds shown here are leather, but most kinds are also available in synthetic materials as well. Along with the standard styles available, there are also several styles of "cross breed" or "crossover" saddles that combine other western or english saddle elements, such as western pommel or cantle design, with traditional Australian elements, such as the pommel swells and deep seat.

These saddles shown here, at the right and left, are traditional Australian stock saddles, available with or without a saddle horn.

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Halfbreed No Horn

This saddle incorporates the independent swinging fender and stirrup style* of the western saddle with the traditional Australian tree pommels and seat style. (*These are all metal four bar irons in a western stirrup design.)

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Halfbreed Or "Crossover"w/horn

This photo shows western stirrups, fenders and horn with an Australian cantle and pommel design.

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Crossbreed

There are also "cross breed" saddles that combine other western saddle elements, such as a saddle horn and western pommel, with traditional Australian design elements, like this rear cantle shown here.

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Girthing Your Australian Saddle

This video shows how to properly girth your Australian saddle, using an over girth with a ring on one end. For overgirths without the ring (has a strap on both sides instead) you can use an Australian girth without the extra strap (Has only two buckles on each end.) or an english  girth. Just be sure that whatever girth you use, puts the buckles under the flap (on your saddle,) not beneath the saddle (on your horse.) See video for example.