Bates innova Mono reviews

[Darcey22]

Hi all
I have a bates CC saddle and have decided I want to buy a dressage saddle. Really like the idea of the adjustable knee block so looking at a bates innova mono. Has anyone got one and what are your thoughts?
Also, my saddle fitter only fits new saddles. Would it be right to have it fitted and then buy the same saddle from saddle bank? Don’t want to blow my budget on a brand new saddle to be honest.

 

[sbloom]

Hi all
I have a bates CC saddle and have decided I want to buy a dressage saddle. Really like the idea of the adjustable knee block so looking at a bates innova mono. Has anyone got one and what are your thoughts?
Also, my saddle fitter only fits new saddles. Would it be right to have it fitted and then buy the same saddle from saddle bank? Don’t want to blow my budget on a brand new saddle to be honest.

I wouldn't be fair. Ask her to do a consultancy for a used saddle and she can charge accordingly, just be straight with people about your budget, or use a different fitter. Do make sure you use someone experienced in Bates saddles, I'm not a particular fan but that's true of so many brands for me lol, but a fitter who knows and loves them will have the right approach and most likely to be successful with them.

Personally I'm generally against big blocks and high cantles, the physical forces they put through the human and equine bodies are not always helpful.

 

[Elno]

I used to have one, a brief period, for my previous horse.

I'm honestly not a huge fan of Bates or Wintec, having had several different models previously for different horses.

The Innova Mono is a tiny bit different since it's one of their more expensive, and perhaps more thought through saddles. The leather for instance, compared to their regular leather is much, much softer - but in return more fragile. The panels in front attach a bit differently and giving a bit more space for a broader wither, than say, their Bates allround which is as "A" shape as they come, and the panels were broader and softer than, again, the Bates allround. The blocks on the mono are very soft and adjustable (and HUGEEEE) compared to other saddles.

I really, really, really wanted to like this saddle. Unfortunately it gave me THE WORST pain in my hips if I rode in it for more than 10 minutes, so it had to go. Also, it was not the best fit for my horse (like every darn Bates/Wintec I've tried, no matter the horse).

I would looove to try the Artiste, but I suspect it will be exactly the same thing unfortunately - it won't fit either me or the horse or both, and it costs a bloody kidney

Edit: I forgot to add- the saddle it self is really big and blocky. My previous horse was enormous, and on her the saddle actually looked decent compared to other saddles which looked like a fez on a too large head. On a smaller horse...it would probably look like the the saddle is wearing the horse, not the other way around.

 

[sbloom]

The panels in front attach a bit differently and giving a bit more space for a broader wither, than say, their Bates allround which is as "A" shape as they come, and the panels were broader and softer than, again, the Bates allround.

There's only so much you can do with such a narrow headplate, the rigid structure is so important, panel shape and attachment can't really change that.