Collection: Saddles

The right saddle depends on what you ride, how often you ride, and the shape of your horse. A saddle built for dressage won't perform well over jumps, and a western saddle isn't designed for showjumping. Matching the saddle to the job is the first step.

Dressage saddles sit the rider deep, with a long, straight flap that helps the leg hang naturally and apply quiet aids. The tree is built for sustained collected work and the panels offer broad weight distribution across the horse's back. Browse our Dressage Saddles.

Jumping saddles have a forward-cut flap, a flatter seat, and knee and thigh blocks that hold the rider's leg secure over fences, allowing a clean move into a two-point position. See our Jumping Saddles.

All purpose saddles are the most versatile option, and a sensible first saddle for riders who do a bit of everything. The flap is cut slightly forward, the seat is moderately deep, and the tree suits flatwork, low jumping and hacking. Shop All Purpose Saddles.

Stock and western saddles are built for long days in the saddle and for working stock. Australian stock saddles have a deep seat, knee pads (poleys) and a high cantle for security at speed. Western saddles are ideal for pleasure riding; add a horn for rope work. View our Stock & Western Saddles.

Half breed saddles combine the deep seat of a stock saddle with shorter knee pads, giving riders the security of a stock saddle without the deeper poley. They suit trail riding, station work and casual riders who want comfort and security.

Also worth a look: our Ex-Demo Saddles, lightly used demonstrator stock at reduced prices.

We carry the saddle brands trusted by Australian riders across every level, from entry-level synthetic through to premium leather. See our full range of brands, including:

• 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, with the same CAIR and gullet technology as Bates at a lower price point.
• Pessoa: Premium leather jumping and all-purpose saddles favoured by professional showjumpers.
• Thorowgood: British-made synthetic saddles, especially strong on dressage and pony fit ranges.
• Prestige: Italian leather dressage and jumping saddles with a high-end finish and a wide range of tree options.
• PDS: Known for close-contact dressage and jumping designs and an independent panel system for maximum adjustability.
• Ammo: Excellent value half breed and stock saddles for Australian conditions.
• Trainers: Affordable training saddles for kids and beginners.
• Toowoomba Saddlery: Heritage Australian saddler producing stock and half breed saddles built for station work.

A correctly fitted saddle is more important than the brand on the flap. Poor fit causes back pain, behavioural issues, uneven muscling and resistance under saddle. The signs are not always obvious: bucking, hollowing through the back, refusal to stand still for mounting, white hairs developing under the saddle area, and an uneven sweat pattern after riding are all red flags.

The three things that matter most:

• Tree width: the internal frame of the saddle. Too narrow and it pinches the withers; too wide and it sits low and pressures the spine. Most modern brands offer multiple tree widths or adjustable gullet systems.
• Panel contact: the cushioned strips that sit against the horse's back need even contact from front to back. Gaps, bridging or pressure points all create soreness.
• Balance: the seat should sit level, not tipping the rider forward or backward. A saddle that throws the rider forward usually means the tree is too wide; tipping back usually means too narrow.

Horses change shape with age, fitness and season. A saddle that fitted two years ago may not fit today. Booking a fit check every 12 to 18 months is sensible for any rider.

Saddle fitting is one of the things we do best. Our team has been fitting saddles for Australian riders for over four decades. We offer:

• In-store fittings at our Flemington shop, where you can sit in multiple saddles in your size and price range before committing.
• Phone advice for online buyers. Send us photos of your horse's back, measurements and a short video of you riding, and we'll recommend the saddles most likely to suit.
• Brand expertise across Bates, Wintec, Pessoa, Thorowgood, Prestige and the rest of our range, so we can match you to the right model, not just the brand you walked in asking for.

Call us on (03) 9376 5444 or visit the store in Flemington, Victoria, to talk through your options.

We've been fitting saddles for Australian riders since 1977. Forty-nine years and three generations of staff have built the kind of practical knowledge you only get from putting saddles on real horses every week. Two reasons to trust us with the decision:

• Saddleworld Store of the Year, 2007 and 2010. PDS, Pessoa and Trainers Dealer of the Year, 2024 (inaugural year) and 2025. Industry-recognised twice in three years, awarded based on customer experience, range and saddle fitting expertise.
• Real saddlers, not order-takers. When you call our Flemington store you speak to someone who has fitted saddles for everyone from Pony Club beginners to FEI dressage riders. We give you straight answers on what suits your horse, even when that means recommending a cheaper saddle than the one you came in asking about.

If you're buying your first saddle, upgrading from synthetic to leather, or trying to solve a fit problem that's been bothering your horse, talk to us before you commit. The hour you spend on the phone with our team could save you the cost of a saddle that doesn't fit.

We know buying a saddle online feels different to walking into a store. Here's how we make it easier:

• Free shipping across nearly all saddles, Australia wide.
• Finance available to spread the cost of a new saddle over manageable payments.
• Detailed product photos and measurements on every listing, including seat size, tree width and weight.
• Phone and email support before you order. Talk to a real saddle fitter before committing.
• Returns and exchanges within our published policy if the fit isn't right.

You can also browse related riding gear while you're here, including saddle accessories and gullets, stirrup irons, stirrup leathers, girths and wither & back pads to keep your new saddle in top condition.