bates saddles

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cellie

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What are your opinions.Saddle doesnt fit new mare had her back checked last night because I felt she was unhappy.Back lady said she will probably change shape again in next 6 months so to go for wintec or similiar maybe treeless.I wondered if the bates would be a good option then I wont need to invest in two saddles but can change the gullett in caprilli.I have a saddle fitter coming out on friday who has offered to bring thorogood as well ,she does made to measure if I want to buy synthetic and trade in for leather made to measure in 6 months.
I wondered if anyone had bought bates and how they found it.thanks
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We have a Bates event and a Wintec pro jump and love them both. They both have interchangeable gullets and we just have to occasionally change between 2 widths depending on the time of year usually. Would have no qualms about having either again. But the Bates was really hard when it was new - as in the seat was hard, maybe because it is quite a flat seat.
 
My daughter had the Bates GP, Close Contact & the Dressage & found them to be comfortable to ride in. The gullets are very quick & easy to change, only cost about £15 each & you can get them even cheaper on ebay.

For a young horse or a horse with not a lot of condition & whose shape is bound to change they are a good economic choice.
 
I think we will go for the gp its my daughters horse and she does pc and local comps.I think this would suit their needs.She was in a stubben jumping saddle but I noticed this tipped my daughter forward she normally has a very upright seat .It seemed strange seeing her in a different position . I have a barnsby and really like it but I cant afford to keep changing the saddle if her weight and muscle keep improving.The bates would be the most economical if its a good fit.thanks for feedback
 
I am not very good at fitting saddle so had a bates caprilli dressage and a wintec 2000 gp professionally fitted.

Then the problems started - not working through from behind, resistance when getting on, eventually nipping when tacked up.

Got two other saddlers in, both said the same - high whither, saddle tipping back etc.

Ended up having a saddle made for him. Took 9 weeks but fits perfectly - and he is working so much better.

Anyway, I have a Bates Caprilli Dressage for sale if you are interested...
 
I have pro fitter out on friday but take on board what you are saying thanks.What price do you want and what size is saddle.Could you tell me what gullett you have fitted at the moment.You can pm if you prefer ta J
 
I love my Bates Caprilli saddle, it's very comfy and fits the horse well. I have it checked by a saddler regularly and have had to change the gullet from med, to med wide as he has built up. Saddler also said the cair panels help to build the horse up. So, you can not only change the gullet but a saddler can also alter the fit.
 
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