Dressage saddle, opinions please

[blakesmum]

Anyone got a Bates Isabell Dressage Saddle (leather not the synthetic) if so what are your opinions of them?
link

Am trying one on my horse over the weekend to see what we think but would appreciate any inmput good or bad

 

[gerrygiraffe]

I have never been a fan of Bates saddles I am afraid- prefer Ideal at that price.

 

[Tiffany]

Never tried one but looks very nice on link

 

[blakesmum]

Thanks one of my friends is getting rid of hers (her horse is out of action, possibly permanently and she needs the cash) and it's hardly had any use and she only wants £500 for it.

 

[CastleMouse]

I tried one and didn't like it... Surely she'd let you try it out before you consider buying it...??

 

[CBAnglo]

What breed is your horse?

 

[blakesmum]

He's a Bavarian Warmblood.

As I said in the first post I'm having over the weekend and it will be fitted by a saddler first. She just needs the cash and needs an answer by monday.

I just wanted to know if anyone had anything to say with regard to how they wear etc.

 

[CBAnglo]

Th reason I asked what breed your horse is, that no matter how good the saddle fitter is, if the tree doesnt fit your horse's back the saddle wont fit.

Bates are built for tb types - very similar to the wintec.

I used to only ride in Bates (old style wool flocked no changeable gullet), but that was when I rode quarter horsesxTBs and these saddles are designed for their shapes. I wouldnt use them now.

The position is very extreme - the stirrup bars are set back and can put you in either a good or bad position. For example, I rode in one on a big moving dressage horse - she went well in it and I had a good position. Tried one on my CBxTB (just to see - the tree didnt fit) and it brought my leg too far back and I was leaning forward. Horrible.

Depends on the horse and rider. I will say that the seat is very deep, so can feel about 0.5" smaller than other saddles.

The gullet system is effective in changing the size of the gullet and not the shape of the tree. I dont like Cair - would choose wool flock.

 

[Dressagebabe]

I have used the Equisuede Isabell Werth for 4 yrs now and absolutely love it, it is for my Warmblood x ID big chunky dressage horse with not much wither and big shoulders. I also used it on my skinny Anglo Dressage horse by just changing the gullet plate and a slightly thicker numnah for a while. I have had WOW, Kiefer, Frank Baines & Jaguar and none of them fit or ride like the Isabell. I have had a leather one on trial for 2 wks and although not quite as comfortable as the synthetic (like a comfy old chair!!) it fits both my horses superbly and I WILL be buying it. Good luck and enjoy it.

 

[blakesmum]

Thanks for the feedback. Saddler was more than happy with it's fit. As for them being designed for TB types I can't comment on that except to say I'd never heard that and he's been in a Wintec for years

It's already helped with my position, I am really happy with it and think it's £500 well spent.