Austrailian saddles

Question
I am just starting to ride.  I have been looking at austrailian saddles.  I would like to know what the difference is between an aussie and a western saddle.  My knees seam to bother me riding western.  I believe something is differnt with aussi saddles.

Thanks for your help.

Answer
Aussie saddles are very comfortable and secure to ride if they fit you properly.  If your knees are bothering you take a look at how long your stirrups are.  Too much bend in the knee will make your knees hurt.  Aussie saddles are based on the English style.  They are making them now with fenders, the original ones didn't have them and you really needed to ride with chaps or half-chaps.  The tree is similar to a Western tree but the rigging is different.  The stirrups are generally hung a little further back than on Western saddles.  Try one, if you can.  You may well like it.  But take a look at your stirrup length.  That may be the problem.