Saddles

Choosing the Right Type of Saddle

The right saddle depends on the type of riding you do, how often you ride, and the shape of your horse. A saddle designed for dressage won't perform well over jumps, and a western saddle isn't built for showjumping. Matching your saddle to your riding discipline is the first step towards better comfort, performance, and communication with your horse.

Dressage Saddles

Dressage saddles place the rider in a balanced, upright position with a deep seat and long, straight flap that allows the leg to hang naturally and apply subtle, effective aids. The tree is designed for sustained collected work, while broad panels distribute the rider's weight evenly across the horse's back. Browse our Dressage Saddles.

Jumping Saddles

Jumping saddles feature a forward-cut flap, a flatter seat, and supportive knee and thigh blocks that help keep the rider secure over fences. Their design allows the rider to move freely into a two-point position without restriction, making them ideal for showjumping and cross-country. Explore our Jumping Saddles.

All Purpose Saddles

All purpose saddles are the most versatile option and an excellent choice for riders who enjoy a variety of disciplines. With a moderately deep seat and a slightly forward-cut flap, they provide a comfortable balance for flatwork, trail riding, low-level jumping, and everyday schooling. Shop our All Purpose Saddles.

Stock & Western Saddles

Stock and western saddles are designed for comfort and security during long hours in the saddle. Australian stock saddles feature a deep seat, high cantle, and knee pads that provide excellent stability when working livestock or riding over challenging terrain. Western saddles offer exceptional comfort for long rides View our Stock & Western Saddles.

Half Breed Saddles

Half breed saddles combine the comfort and security of a traditional stock saddle with shorter, lower knee pads, making them easier to mount and dismount while still providing excellent rider support. They are a popular choice for trail riding, station work, pleasure riding, and riders seeking extra confidence without the larger knee pads of a full stock saddle. Browse our Half Breed Saddles.

Saddle Brands We Stock

We carry the saddle brands trusted by Australian riders across every level. Each brand has its own strengths.

• Bates Australian-designed leather saddles with the CAIR cushion system and adjustable Easy-Change gullet for changing fit as your horse develops.
• Wintec Synthetic saddles built tough for everyday riding, weatherproof and easy to clean. Same CAIR and gullet technology as Bates at a lower price point.
• Pessoa Premium leather jumping and all-purpose saddles built in Argentina , favoured by professional showjumpers.
• Thorowgood British-made synthetic saddles, especially strong on dressage and pony fit ranges.
• PDS Crafted in Argentina , known for close-contact dressage designs and the innovative independant panel for maximum adjustablity
• Ammo Excellent value half breed saddles for Australian conditions.
• Trainers Affordable saddles for kids and beginners.
• Toowoomba Heritage Australian saddler producing stock and half breed saddles built for station work.

Saddle Fit: Why It Matters More Than the Brand

A correctly fitted saddle is far more important than the brand stamped on the flap. Even the most expensive saddle can cause discomfort if it doesn't fit your horse properly. Poor saddle fit can lead to back pain, behavioural problems, uneven muscle development and resistance under saddle, often long before obvious signs appear.

Many riders don't realise their saddle is causing an issue. Bucking, hollowing through the back, reluctance to stand still for mounting, difficulty maintaining rhythm, white hairs appearing beneath the saddle area and uneven sweat patterns after riding can all indicate that your saddle no longer fits correctly.

The three most important aspects of saddle fit

Tree width The tree is the internal frame of the saddle and determines how it sits over your horse's withers and back. A tree that is too narrow will pinch the withers and restrict movement, while one that is too wide will drop too low and place pressure along the spine. Most quality saddles are available in multiple tree widths or feature adjustable gullet systems to accommodate different horse shapes.

Panel contact The panels are the cushioned sections underneath the saddle that rest against your horse's back. They should make smooth, even contact from front to back, distributing the rider's weight evenly. Bridging, rocking or concentrated pressure points can all lead to soreness and muscle damage over time.

Balance A correctly fitted saddle should sit level on the horse's back, allowing the rider to maintain a balanced position. If the seat tips the rider forward, the saddle may be too wide. If it tips the rider backward, the tree may be too narrow or the saddle may not suit the horse's shape. Correct balance helps both horse and rider move comfortably and efficiently.

Saddle fit changes over time

Horses rarely stay the same shape. Age, fitness, muscle development, weight changes and seasonal condition can all affect how a saddle fits. A saddle that fitted perfectly two years ago may now be creating pressure and discomfort.

For most horses, having your saddle professionally checked every 12 to 18 months is a sensible investment in their comfort, performance and long-term soundness. A well-fitting saddle allows your horse to move freely, develop correctly and enjoy their work, while helping you ride in better balance and comfort.

Personalised Saddle Fitting at Our Flemington Store

Choosing the right saddle is a significant investment, and expert advice can make all the difference. At Ascot Saddlery, saddle fitting is one of the things we do best. We've been helping Australian riders find the right saddle for both horse and rider for almost 50 years, combining practical experience with an extensive range of leading brands.

How we can help

In-store saddle fitting Visit our Flemington showroom and compare multiple saddles side by side. You can sit in different models, seat sizes and price ranges while our experienced team assesses the fit for both you and your horse, helping you make a confident, informed decision.

Expert advice for online customers Not everyone can visit us in person. If you're buying online, simply send us photos of your horse's back, a few basic measurements and a short video of you riding. Our saddle specialists will recommend the models most likely to suit your horse's conformation, your riding discipline and your budget.

Knowledge across all major brands We stock and fit a wide range of premium saddle brands, including Bates, Wintec, Pessoa, Thorowgood, Prestige, PDS, Arena, Amerigo and many more. Because we aren't focused on just one manufacturer, our advice is based on finding the best saddle for you and your horse—not simply selling the brand you walked in asking for.

Whether you're buying your first saddle, upgrading for competition or solving a saddle fit problem, we're here to help.

Call us on (03) 9376 5444 or visit us in Flemington, Victoria, and let our experienced team help you find the perfect fit for both you and your horse.

Why Trust Ascot Saddlery for Your Saddle Purchase

When you're investing in a saddle, experience matters. At Ascot Saddlery, we've been fitting saddles for Australian riders since 1977. Nearly 50 years of hands-on experience has given our team the practical knowledge that only comes from fitting thousands of saddles to real horses and riders across every discipline.

Whether you're buying your first saddle or investing in a top-level competition model, we'll help you choose the right saddle for your horse—not simply the most expensive one.

Award-Winning Expertise

Our commitment to customer service and professional saddle fitting has been recognised throughout the industry.

• Saddleworld Store of the Year – 2007 and 2010
• PDS, Pessoa & Trainers Dealer of the Year – 2024 (inaugural year) and 2025

These awards recognise excellence in customer service, product knowledge, range and saddle fitting expertise.

Advice You Can Trust

When you contact Ascot Saddlery, you're speaking with experienced saddle specialists—not a call centre or order-taker.

Our team has fitted saddles for everyone from Pony Club riders purchasing their very first saddle through to experienced riders competing at FEI level. We take the time to understand your horse, your riding goals and your budget before recommending suitable options.

If the best saddle for your horse happens to be a more affordable model, we'll tell you. Our goal is to find the saddle that fits both horse and rider, not simply sell the highest-priced option.

If you're buying your first saddle, upgrading from a synthetic to a leather saddle, or trying to solve an ongoing saddle fit issue, a conversation with our team could save you the expense and frustration of purchasing the wrong saddle.

Buying a Saddle Online with Confidence

Buying a saddle online doesn't have to be difficult. We've helped riders across Australia purchase the right saddle without ever visiting our store by providing expert advice before they buy.

When you purchase from Ascot Saddlery, you'll benefit from:

• Free Australia-wide shipping on almost all saddles.
• Flexible finance options to spread the cost over manageable repayments.
• Comprehensive product information, including seat size, tree width, saddle weight and detailed photography.
• Expert phone and email support from experienced saddle fitters before you place your order.
• Returns and exchanges in accordance with our published policy should the saddle prove unsuitable.

We can also guide you through selecting the right accessories to complete your setup, including saddlecloths, girths, stirrup irons, stirrup leathers, replacement gullets and leather care products, ensuring your new saddle performs at its best for years to come.

Whether you shop online or visit our Flemington showroom, you can purchase with confidence knowing you're backed by nearly five decades of saddle fitting experience and a team dedicated to finding the right fit for both horse and rider.