The AUSTRALIAN STOCK SADDLE Co.
America's Original Source
Established 1979

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Customer Feedback.

Here are some of the feedback we get from customers regarding our Saddles, Tack and Service.

Click Here for our Whip Talk by Anthony DeLongis, one of Hollywood's top whip trainers, dialogues with one of our customers. Check out Anthony's questions to some very astute questions.

Please tell Colin thanks for talking me into a Tipperary vest: I'm out of the hospital, nothing broken but that would not have been the case if I hadn't had my vest on. ps. I was not using a stock saddle at the time! Learn a lesson the hard way....~Christina

Colin,

Sorry it took so long, but here is the picture of Sabrina riding in the
saddle you guys made for her to go along with the letter she wrote you. She
is still loving it.

Thank you,

Joe Alcala

Note from Colin: Sabrina Alcala is riding a deep carved Muster Master, that she uses for barrel racing, and high speed cross country riding, with her dad Joe, and her mother Kellie, both of whom ride Southern Cross saddles. Nothing but the best for this riding family in Norco, California!!!.

Hi Colin,

I rode my new Cordura Maverick today for the first time.  Thought you might like to read about my experience. 

Jake (the young man who is riding for me) and his mother rode this afternoon.  It's hot and VERY windy here.  Jake said Doc  (my new, young horse) gave a huge spook today.  He's never done that with me before.  Jake also had to keep Doc off his mother's horse's rear end and Doc reared up a small amount.  Also, never done that with me before.  When they got back to camp, I put my new Aussie saddle on Doc and rode out with Jake for short while.  I felt like everything was fine, so I turned to come back.  We were side by side when the wind suddenly came up and birds or something in the brush made a noise at the same time and Doc came unglued.  That Aussie saved me.  I lost my left stirrup and was canted to the right on him, but I stayed on.  A few feet farther, the same thing happened and he gave that huge twisting spook to the left.  I again lost my left stirrup.  But the Poleys kept me on the horse.  That's the only saddle I'll ride with from now on.  I got off and led him back to camp.  We were close.

Hi, Colin;

I met you at the Springfield, Mass. Equine Affair and thanked you for your help choosing and fitting a saddle for my horse, Whisper, who I ride here in the Adirondack Mountains, NY. Only the most extreme weather keeps us from going out with our good friends, Cindy and Apache. We've still got  too much snow and mud in the woods to venture very far, but we're ready! There are miles of back roads to choose from.

You mentioned there (or maybe it was John-thanks to you, too, John!) that I send some photos that you might post on your website. My Muster Master is close to a year old now, and my horse and I love it!!! I really like the halter bridle as well.

 Thanks again, 

 Beth.

Hi Colin,

My saddle arrived yesterday 5 minutes after I emailed you!!!
I couldn't wait to try it this AM.  It fits both me and Habeebee beautifully and we both were absolutely LOVING it!!!For the first time in his life, I truly believe that he was COMFORTABLE!!! ..and I felt very secure that I  could politely make requests of him that could potentially be met with an argument...without the trepidation of hitting the ground.   He was very willing...and didn't argue at all. Puts a completely new spin on my relationship with my horse.  I think this purchase was the best I've ever made!!!

Thank you and John so much for your time and attention at the Equine Affair in Springfield, MA!!

-Susan

...I'll send a pic when he's not so fuzzy!!!..but it looks GREAT!!

Just wanted to say thank you for helping me to fit my girth for my saddle.  I bought the converters, girth ,and the tackaberry.  It works so much better, and it is so easy!  Thanks again.

Share A Smile!
 
Julie Inversso

Hi Colin,

 I look forward to meeting you and it will be awesome to have the opportunity to show off your products. I enjoy my saddle very much and tell people all the time how enjoyable it is to ride in it. My stallion tripped the other day and went down on his knees. Because of your saddle I stayed with him as he recovered and moved on.

See you at EA and thank you sooooo much Kathy

Cloin's comment: Kathy is riding a supreme poley

That's April Smith, a trainer at River Run Ranch, in Harrisburg, Pa. "This style of saddle sure give me a lot of advantage. I want to sell them!" says April

Here we are mudding it with the Fox Poley

Tanner Smith of River Run Ranch, in Harrisburg, Pa., hits the barrel course in his Tagalong Poley. He blew the doors off the competition! Of course, under the watchful eye of his father Scott Smith.

Here is a pic of my son barrel racing with the tag along Poley

Hi There. My name is Patti and I am from Canada. I lived in Australia for a few years and worked on a Sheep/Cattle Station in NSW. I became a lover of the Australian Stock Saddles and upon returning to Canada I searched them out here. I looked specifically for The Australian Stock Saddle and thought that what I had ordered was exactly that. I have since learnt that what I bought was a stock saddle that claimed to be from The Australian Stock Saddle Co. But it is not. It has a fake logo on it. I was so disappointed when I found out and had spent a great deal of money on this saddle and I am now out that money that I had worked so hard to save. I just want anyone who is looking to buy on, to really check into the buyer that you are dealing with and the authenticity of the saddle that you are buying. Then you will not receive the disappointment that I have. The Australian Stock Saddle Co. makes the best saddle that I have ever ridden in and I really hope that one day I will get the chance to own a real one. Thank you for many years of great riding time while living in your beautiful country. I encourage all my friends out here in Canada to buy your saddles.
Patti - Saskatchewan Canada 

You were absolutely right when you said, go ahead, and spend the money (on an Australian-made , 12-plait kangaroo hide whip) The craftsmanship is awesome. The whip makes even me look like I know what's going on. I've watched your video so much it's getting fuzy. Thanks for everything. Donnie Hopkins, Charlotte Hall, MD

Hey Colin,

Dave Holliday here up in Auburn, WA. Still riding my Muster Master and lovin it.  My buddy Dave Haynes is still ridin his Survivor Poley and lovin it. Thinking about ordering some saddle cleaning supplies and a back cinch. Here is a recent picture so you can have a look at us.

 

Dave

 

 

 

 

 

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Kellie Alcala, of Norco, California,  tries out her new Sport Poley, from Southern Cross. Kellie has ridden and owns many Australian stock saddles, but, she says of this one: "Wow! I just LOVE the way this saddle feels! My horse is right here!"

The barcoo bridle I ordered for my draft/appy cross arrived today, it fits him well and I love it!  It's a nice bridle for a very reasonable price.  I've attached a picture of Rio modeling it.  Thank you!

                        After three years and 20+ saddles I have finally found the perfect saddle for my 10 year old Missouri Foxtrotter Banjo.   The Southern Cross Poley from The Australian Stock and Saddle Company.
                        I bought my perfect horse three years ago, but because of his very short back and one shoulder being larger than the other, I have had a problem with saddle-fitting.  I went so far as to have a saddle custom made, and that didnt even fit properly.  It not only did not fit the horse, but it was very uncomfortable for me.  I bought umpteen saddles on the Internet, tried them on and sent them back.  I bought at least 5 different gaited horse saddles that were way too wide for him (as he is only 14.1 and 750 pounds).  I tried endurance, barrel, Arabian, quarter horse and flexible saddles.  I tried different saddle pads as well.  Pads with built-ups, inserts, etc.  The list goes on and on. 
                        Not only was my checkbook feeling the pain, my horse and I both were as well.  I finally settled on a semi-quarter horse barrel saddle.  While it did not fit exactly right, with a special pad I tolerated it, as did my horse.  After riding mountain trails for one hour I would have to get off and stretch my legs as I was having knee and back pain.  I also noticed Banjo was turning his head a bit to the left when riding on a straight line.  After reading an article about saddle-fitting problems, I decided to try the Australian saddle.
                        My sister and two friends and I took a road trip to Malibu to visit Colin and his warehouse of saddles.  Wow!  Its overwhelming all the different styles and beautiful saddles to choose from.  Colin took my wither tracing and showed me a nice used saddle he had that he thought would do quite nicely.  Yes, he sells USED saddles too!  The price was very reasonable.  But, my sister happened to see a Southern Cross Poley on the shelf and said What about this one?  Well, needless to say after sitting in it,I decided I might as well get the best for my Banjo.  So off we went.
                        I was skeptical.  After all, I have had saddles slipping to the right, slipping backwards on the uphill, slipping down onto his neck on the downhill.  No kidding.  I had one saddle slip backwards so far that I was holding onto his mane going uphill, and yes, I was using a breastcollar!  The same saddle went down onto his neck on the downhill.  This particular saddle fit him like a glove as along as he was standing still like a statue.  As soon as he moved, the problems began.  And unfortunately, the saddle shop would not take the saddle back.                         Anyway, back to the Southern Cross We finally rode up and down the steepest trails in Griffith Park this past weekend.  I was shocked.  The saddle stayed right where it belonged on the uphill and downhill no problems.  I thought I might need a crupper, but I dont even need one!  I also noticed my horse is moving in a straight line and I know that after a few months his shoulders will even out!  After my rides I have absolutely no knee or back pain either!  Im no longer walking like an old beat-up rodeo rider after my rides thats what I used to feel like!
                        I am so thrilled with this saddle AND the comfort is second to none.  I know its a comfortable saddle and I think of it that way, but every time I get on my horse, I say to myself  Wow this is awesome!  I cant believe how comfortable this is!!  I am one very happy customer and my horse is happy too!!!

                         DISCLAIMER:  This is a TRUE story, and I do NOT work for the Australian Stock and Saddle Company!!!

                         Many thanks Colin, from Roberta and Banjo!!! 

Here is a comment from a Yahoo Group

>colin dangaard is there with his saddles. i did some looking but didn't get >to talk to him as he was busy with some other folks. the saddles look very >nice. i'm hoping to go back this weekend and get a chance to talk to him >personally. i just thought i'd ask you if you'd gotten yours yet and if so, >how you like it.
>lisa in ohio
 

I have 3 of Colin's saddles right now, and have bought/traded in 3 more, plus given him more referrals than you can count.  I've found him professional and easy to work with, and I love the saddles as they are comfortable, secure, and fit very well.

Can't say enough nice things about the Australian Stock Saddle Co. 

-Chellie in Iowa

We do adjustments that work

Colin...you are the BEST!!!! The saddle adjustment is working out wonderfully. I took a ride today and we boogied right along with no complaints from either of us!!! Thank you so much.

Jan

WHIP TALK

Dear Mr. deLongis,

  I sent the following to Colin over at Australian Stock and Saddle

  Company; I'd would be grateful for a response from you as well if you have the time:

  "Dear Colin,

  I bought an 8' (11' with fall and popper) two-toned (brown and black)

  12 plait kangaroo hide whip with the "deLongis" handle from you a few

  months back.  I couldn't be happier with it.

Again - thanks for such an excellent whip.  I'm having a lot of fun with it.

Best,

Steve Lamade

Anthony DeLongis Reply 

I'm glad you're pleased. My present project has me working with whips of different specifications. While a good whip will perform well in the hands of a proficient practitioner, I personally continue to appreciate and prefer my modifications for both mounted and ground work.

Steve Lamade Question

  So far I've put in about 5-6 hours of practice using Anthony deLongis'

  method (as shown on his DVD set), and I've gotten to the point where I

  can do the basic mechanic, i.e., an overhand cast or throw with the

  whip starting behind me, so that it unwinds "downhill like water

  flowing" (his metaphor on the DVD) and spills out straight ahead of me

  on the outsde of my arm.  I've found that the hardest thing to do is

  to keep my hand loose and to close it at the last moment just over the

  butt for that extra snap with the wrist:  it requires a little more

  hand strength than I had a first but I'm starting to get the hang of

  it.

Anthony DeLongis Reply

 I'm glad you find my methods helpful and working well for you. You're now ready for some fine tuning. The wrist has very little to do with "sending the loop." As a matter of fact, since the loop is above the handle, the whip literally "follows the handle" at whatever angle your grip has set. If you bend your wrist, you will always throw the whip towards the ground and not allow it to fully extend and give you the most efficient and accurate results.

The relaxed grip allows gravity to place the whip in your hand with the loop on top (the most efficient position since it works with the structure of the whip itself). The handle begins behind you in a horizontal position. With a relaxed grip, the loop will form as the handle passes through the vertical position as it moves past your shoulder and the arm extends fully in front of your body. This allows the whip itself to align your entire body with the target (and makes sure your arm and body are INSIDE the railroad track alignment). Then your grip tightens to "send the loop." That is the timing and the secret to making it all flow together in an effective and efficient manner.

Steve Lamade Question

  The whip has started to get softer and more responsive with use (I've

  found that a liberal coating of dubbin every couple of weeks or so

  helps as well).

  I have a question in this regard:  the whip seems to have a natural

  "belly" in one direction but so as much in other directions (that is:

  along

  the brown color axis around which it coils easily when I put it away -

  but NOT as much along the perpendicular black color axis (if you

  imagine it having 4 sides with alternating brown and black sides). 

  Should I try to work the whip along ALL the directions of its

  circumference that it could go or just practice my throws along what

  seems like the "better" brown side (this means I have to intentionally

  pick up the whip with my hand in a certain postition to use this side

  or its opposite, i.e. along the brown axis).

Anthony DeLongis Reply

The whip has a natural belly (the inner core or skeleton of the whip) that should never be violated. I encourage that belly to soften slightly so the loop forms earlier and flows easier. My loop is always on top of the handle (unless I'm violating the protocol for a specific result) and gravity places the loop in this position naturally if I relax my grip. Don't worry about the color, it's immaterial. Feel the natural belly of the whip and encourage it.

Steve Lamade Question 

  It seems as though it could soften in all directions over time but I

  just wanted to make sure before I try.  Someone also suggeted

  "softening" the whip by working it, bending it, and twisting it with

  my fingers but I kind of cringed when she did this.  It seems

  counter-intuitive since the whip will soften all by itself the more

  that I practice with it -and if it does have a natural belly in one direction then why would I want to do this?

Anthony DeLongis Reply

I do a bit of manual manipulation of the natural belly of the whip to encourage the whip to have "muscle memory" and always flow the same way.

This is very important.

Steve Lamade Question

I hope my question is not too naive (and that it makes sense!).  I'm

  going to write to Mr. deLongis as well for his take on the matter.

Anthony DeLongis Reply

It was an excellent question and makes perfect sense. When you are ready consider contacting me about private instruction at my ranch (www.delongis.com/indalo). You should also check out the whip chapter of my Action reel on line at my web site. My Fight reel is found on his http://www.delongis.com/ADLfightresume.html.

    It's broken up into the Introduction and Skill Chapters. Each chapter is located under its heading.

SWORD MASTER begins with my sword fight with Jet Li from FEARLESS.

WHIP MASTER shows clips from films that I either performed with the whip or trained others and includes a section at the ranch showing multiple ranges and suggesting a variety of previously unexplored options. This only scratches the surface of what can be done.

Good luck.

Anthony

More comments on the use of Whips as Weapons

I find your FAQ on thewhipstudio.com very interesting, Gery. But I have to mention a couple things. First, Anthony has actually DONE demonstrations where he asked 2 martial artists (one is James Houston --www.jamesdhouston.net -- who has multiple titles and awards) to charge him with weapons. They wore stunt pads, leather cycle gear over them, and motorcycle helmets. They couldn't come in. Why? Because when you able to focus the tip of the whip on your selected target, in this case a head (you can hit with the fall, too), it is (as James says) like being hit with bat, and you see white light -- this with a motorcycle helmet on. If you get closer, it can still be used as a weapon to pummel, envelop, garrot, etc. Of course, you WOULD have to know some martial arts. We shot some video of this at the ranch and I have asked him to make the video available on Youtube.


The use of selective targeting allows one to slice skin, blind eyes, etc. and take what the perp makes available. It is hard to continue a charge unabated when one has blood pouring from his face or has his hand cut to the bone. I think at that point, the person will drop his knife, spoon, fork, etc. IN INTENSE PAIN. Of course, as you know, this takes skill developed over years of studying the whip - and perhaps also a martial art or two.


I know directly about this. During a Wild West show, our friend Colin's horse spooked in mid-charge, changing the trajectory of Colin's stockwhip. It cut my thumb to the bone. It was intense, blinding pain. I continued the show, but I'll tell you, the blow stood me frozen for a few moments, and a few moments is all one needs to get away to take out an attacker.