Bates Innova Saddles

[yaddowshad]

Hello, I am about to buy a Bates Innova Saddle but am confused on the sizing. I am 5ft 7 and a size 14, my horse is 17.3hh not overlly long backed but a big ID type, the saddle I use now is a Isobel Werth wintec synthetic saddle 17.5 which fits me and him. What size Innova is best as ive heard they are cut bigger than normal saddles? The Innova i want has extended blocks. I also want to know about how secure they are please.

 

[skippyduke]

they are amazing!!! your best bet would be to get your local stockist to come and try some x

 

[dressager]

Tried one and I hated it! The extended blocks extended way way further out than my legs! When they're that large you end up gripping into them with your knees which might make you secure in one sense, but not through your seat or lower leg. I guess try it out and see, doesn't feel like any other saddle I've tried so I guess its a bit of a marmite one

 

[K27]

Hi,

I have 2 Innovas, each in size 1, extended block, I have a huge 17.2 I.S.H (in fact he's prob taller than that!) and a 16.2 I.D x T.B, I'm 5ft5 not particularly tall, size 10, and they are perfect size wise for the horses(who are both short coupled) and me. The innova's do seem to be like Marmite, you either love'em or hate 'em, and I think horses seem to be like that too with them. My 17.2 has a wide fit and my 16.2 has a med-wide fit (although he lost a bit of muscle in the january snow-in when he couldn't be exercised so as a temp measure I have fitted a merino sheepskin pad underneath too, as was just sitting a bit close at the back).

I really like them and so do my horses,one of mine had saddle probs last year and he loves his innova and is much freer moving and happier in it, the difference in him the first time I rode him in it was quite remarkable, he is v reactive to the Cair, but in a good way, if that makes sense and my other horse is going better in his too.

I've ridden in the standard block Innova, but found they are prob better suited to longer legged riders, if you have shorter legs and a taller body then the extended block may be better.

I'm very fortunate in that I found a hardly used one secondhand for a very good price, and I managed to get the other one brand new for a good price too as it was an ex demo saddle and had been sat in a couple of times, I fitted mine myself and they are very easy to fit, but I only did that as no saddle fitter is capable of fitting my tricky sensitive horse, but I'm sure there are plenty of fitters who stock them and will have demo saddles for you to ride in.

Oh, and I feel v secure in mine, esp when one of my cheeky horse could start being ridden after the snow, he was trying to dump me anywhere and everywhere, broncing as he was so excited to do something, but he couldn't get rid of me esp in the Innova!. I would say the size 1 is the same as a 17.5.

Hope that helps!