Annie Whelan and My Dandylion MHF tackle the rugged terrain of the 2025 Tevis Cup in a Specialized Aussie Ultralight—showing exactly why riders love the added security of Aussie-style poleys when the trail gets rough.
Security When the Trail Gets Rough
Australian saddles have long been known for giving riders a secure, comfortable seat through rough country and long hours horseback. Their most recognizable feature—the Aussie-style poleys—provides added support at the rider’s upper thigh, helping create a secure riding position when traveling over steep, uneven, or unpredictable terrain.
TW Saddlery takes that traditional concept and combines it with a lightweight trail design, short skirt, short equitation horn, and our patented 3-D Adjustable Fit System.
The result is an Australian-style saddle designed for riders who want freedom to move when the trail is easy—and extra security when it isn’t.
Why Ride an Australian Saddle?
The beauty of an Australian saddle is that the poleys don’t have to lock you into one position.
Our poleys flare forward, leaving room for the rider to move naturally, rise and post when desired, and adjust position while traveling over varied terrain.
But when things get a little western, they’re right where you need them.
By bringing your thighs behind the poleys, you gain an additional point of security that can help keep you centered and seated through a sudden spook, quick movement, steep descent, rough terrain, or an unexpected maneuver.
Add the short equitation horn, and you have a saddle that gives the rider an exceptionally secure feeling without sacrificing the ability to move with the horse.
Find Your Australian Saddle
Love the security of an Australian-style saddle? We offer four different Aussie models across TW Saddlery and Specialized Saddles. All four feature forward-flared poleys for added rider security, while giving you options for a horned or hornless design, traditional or adjustable seat, and skirted or ultralight construction.
Ultra Secure Aussie
The Ultra Secure Aussie combines the security of forward-flared Aussie poleys and a short equitation horn with a more traditional saddle seat.
It features a stitched-in padded seat with a Cheyenne roll and our compact trail-style skirt. The skirt pulls evenly from the front and back of the saddle, providing stability without the need for a rear cinch. Available with English or Western rigging.
Best for: Riders who want maximum Aussie security with a horn and a traditional fixed seat.
Ultra Secure Aussie Light
The Ultra Secure Aussie Light combines forward-flared Aussie poleys and a short equitation horn with our removable, interchangeable padded seat.
The shimmable seat allows adjustments to rider position, twist and cushioning. It features the same compact trail-style skirt, which pulls evenly from the front and back for stability without requiring a rear cinch. Available with English or Western rigging.
Best for: Riders who want the security of poleys and a horn with greater rider seat adjustability.
Specialized Aussie Light
Love the security of an Australian saddle but prefer to ride without a horn? The Specialized Aussie Light combines forward-flared poleys with a skirted, hornless design.
Its removable, interchangeable and shimmable padded seat allows the rider to customize seat feel and position while retaining the added security that makes the Aussie design so popular for trail and distance riding.
Best for: Riders who want Aussie security, a customizable rider seat and a hornless, skirted design.
Specialized Aussie Ultralight
The Specialized Aussie Ultralight takes the secure Aussie design and strips away unnecessary weight and bulk. It features forward-flared poleys, a hornless design and no traditional skirts for a lightweight, close-contact feel.
Its removable, interchangeable and shimmable padded seat gives riders additional control over seat feel and position, making it an excellent choice for long-distance and demanding trail riding.
Best for: Riders who want Aussie security in an exceptionally lightweight, close-contact, hornless saddle.
Built for the Trail
Both TW Australian models feature our short trail-style skirt, helping keep the saddle compact while allowing freedom of movement through the horse’s shoulder and back.
Like our Trail Light and Featherweight Trail saddles, the skirt and rigging are designed to pull evenly from the front and back of the saddle. This balanced design helps stabilize the saddle without requiring a rear cinch.
That means less bulk and less tack while still providing the stability needed for serious trail riding.
Both TW Australian models can also be ordered with English or Western rigging, allowing riders to choose the setup that best suits their preferences and riding style.
A good day on the ranch! Tenney Blouin shows off an elk antler she found while riding her Colorado ranch with her horse outfitted in a TW Ultra Secure Aussie Light.
Designed for Horse AND Rider
A secure rider is only half of the equation.
Both TW Australian saddles are built around TW Saddlery’s patented 3-D Adjustable Fit System, which allows the saddle to be adjusted for width, angle, and arch/rock rather than relying on a single fixed tree shape.
Adjustments can even be made independently from side to side to accommodate asymmetry.
This makes our Australian saddles an excellent option for a wide variety of horse breeds, shapes, and toplines—and allows the fit to be modified as the horse changes condition over time.
Combined with the short skirt and open spinal channel, the adjustable fitting system provides the freedom and versatility needed for everything from everyday trail riding to long miles through challenging country.
When the Trail Gets Western
Some trails are easy.
Others involve steep climbs, rocky descents, creek crossings, wildlife, sudden spooks, questionable footing, and that one moment when your horse makes a decision you definitely weren’t included in.
That’s where the Australian saddle shines.
The forward-flared poleys allow you to ride naturally when everything is going smoothly. When you need additional security, you can bring your thighs behind the poleys and use them for support to help keep yourself centered in the saddle.
It’s freedom when you want it and security when you need it.
Samantha Ellis of Crater Hill and one of her junior riders hit the trail with their horses outfitted in Specialized Aussie Ultralight saddles.
Who Is an Australian Saddle For?
Our Australian saddles are a great choice for riders who:
- Trail ride through steep, rocky, or difficult terrain
- Want more security than a traditional trail saddle provides
- Want the choice of a short equitation horn or a hornless Aussie design
- Want the added support of poleys
- Ride long distances or spend hours in the saddle
- Need an adjustable saddle for a difficult-to-fit horse
- Ride horses whose shape changes with conditioning or seasons
- Want a lightweight saddle without giving up rider security
From gaited horses and Arabians to Quarter Horses, Mustangs, Morgans, stock horses, and crosses, the adjustable fit system allows these saddles to work with a wide variety of breeds and body types.
Not Sure Which Australian Saddle Is Right for You?
The Ultra Secure Aussie, Ultra Secure Aussie Light, Specialized Aussie Light, and Specialized Aussie Ultralight can all be excellent options. The best choice depends on whether you prefer a horned or hornless saddle, a traditional or adjustable seat, and the amount of weight and bulk you want in your saddle.
All four give you the added security of forward-flared Aussie poleys, making them excellent choices for riders tackling challenging trails and varied terrain.