bates sadlles...

[Hemirjtm]

I am going to buy myself a new leather saddle, I have a synthetic one at th moment (wintec 2000) which i like but i would love to have a leather saddle....so a couple of questions!!!

Are the bates saddles good quality/price...confortable....etc?
Are there any other leather saddles that you would reccomend (if so, a price range?)?

Thankyou

 

[KatB]

Love mine, but I spent alot on mine. Is very good quality, beautifully designed and very comfortable. Seem to fit a large range of horses too.

 

[miller]

Think it's all down to personal opinion - OH had a Bates GP and hated it that much he threatened to throw it ot of the car window on the A1 so a lorry could run over it! Loves his Kieffer though and I'm not keen on that!
Best thing with saddles is to have a godd saddler out and try as many as you can that fit the horse

 

[fizz-tally]

i got the bates gp 1st day it came out,biggest waste of £800 ever & when i sold it i got £350 for it

hated the blasted thing.

saddle co saddles are fab

again it depends on your horse

 

[I_A_P]

i tried the bates moentum saddle..and realy liked it, but it wasnt right for my horse... but i would definatly consider one in the future !!

 

[Hemirjtm]

As I live in France it is very difficult to get a saddler, thats good....which is why i wanted to ask for opinions here.....Thankyou for answering, its very interesting

 

[CrazyMare]

I find Ideal saddles very comfortable, and my mare goes so well in her Ideal Working Hunter, her shoulder is so free to move

 

[KatB]

That the one ive got, I love it

 

[piebaldsparkle]

I have a bates dressage saddle - Lovvvvve it

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Love the Bates Saddles. Got the GP, CloseContact & just got the Dressage. Beautifully made, very comfortable & easily adjustable to fit most horses. There are a few horses that they won't fit but on the whole they can be adjusted in about 5 minutes with a screwdriver. Great Saddles!

 

[Hemirjtm]

what sort of horses don't they suite?

 

[KateStartin]

I got a bates event saddle second hand, my horse loves it and goes so well in it that i have since sold my albion dressage saddle as he is so much more forward going in the bates.

It is fab for me to jump in but has a very hard seat for hacking, i have invested in a seat saver so now we are both happy!

 

[so03]

I've got a Bates GP with Cair, it's very nice, comfy and the gullet system is superb.

My Saddler doesn't like them, he says they are not suitable for all horses, so best to get a saddler to bring some for you to try.

I've had lots of people (when I'm out competing) comment on how nice the saddle looks.

I've owned it for 9 months now, and have no complaints as yet.

 

[SJ_06]

Bates are lovely saddles