ideal vs bates (dressage)

[HerbiesHuman]

Hi

I'm about to embark on the road of getting a dressage saddle (woop finally!!)

going to attempt to get a 2nd hand and saddler has reccomended that the ideal suzannah or the bates isabell werth would suit the both of us best.

just wondering what you guys would go for out of the two?

cheers

Layla

 

[Matafleur]

Haven't tried the bates but have just ordered a Suzannah and love, love, love it! Could finally sit on my 4 yr olds canter properly in it!

V reasonably priced too...

 

[Sneedy]

I loved the Suzannah on my friends horse but when I tried one on mine I hated it!! So, probably best to keep an open mind and try as many as you can and go with whats best for the horse and you. I've spend my life not liking Albions but have ended up with one and it is fab....fits the horse and me really well!! I got told off by my saddler for being 'narrow minded'

.....looking back she was right and I just needed to try lots to find one I loved

Good luck

 

[HerbiesHuman]

well i have now sat in a suzannah (just on a stand) and loved it, havent sat in the isabel yet although i did sit on a innova yesterday and have to say i dont think it was as good as the ideal.

sneedy - what was different about it when u tried one on your horse to your friends?

cheers

 

[Sneedy]

Goodness only knows

, I thought it was really bizarre that it didn't feel as good on my horse as my friends! Maybe the Ideal just suit him so he wasn't comfortable?? I suppose they're all different and should be treated as individuals! I thought I knew what I wanted but it wasn't until I actually got to 'test ride' the saddles that I appreciated that what I wanted wasn't necessarily what was right for the horse!!

Buying a new saddle is a mine field and quite stressful as they're not cheap! Make sure you're saddler gives you plenty of time to 'play' (mine left me for 30mins so I didn't feel pressurised at all!), and you'll soon know what's right!!

 

[StinkiPinki]

Ideal suzzanah, ive got one and its the best dressage saddle ive ever had, and ive had a few!!

 

[kerilli]

ditto, i have an Ideal Suzannah and it is a lovely saddle, feels perfect in every way.