Mattes Fur Saddles?

[LordeeLordee]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but really want to buy a mattes felsattel and finding it tricky in the UK. Expecially as need to measure for their 'tunnel'

I have one, managed to pick it up second hand off eBay for a very good price... just keep checking if looking second hand. Otherwise can you get it shipped to you from somewhere else or directly from mattes if you haven’t already purchased one.

the tunnel measurement is really easy! You just trace the wither and then measured it down 6? CM and then the width and retract I think it’s 2cm (all from memory so I could be mistaken!)

If you look on HEST Australia Di has some videos on there of the structure etc incase you are interested, along with instructions how to measure the tunnel-she recommend going down a size to me... would be worth emailing her and asking or finding someone in the UK... although I’m pretty sure Di would help you if you ask!
The tunnels usually come in 22cm as standard, i believe.
I have a tall QH (nearly 17 Hand) and he measures at a 20cm tunnel so I bought him a 18cm and he has a cob size which still doesn’t look small (I was worried it would) -goes to show really depends on the horses build!!!

 

[LordeeLordee]

 

[sbloom]

I know it's an old post but I didn't catch it first time around!

We get a lot of rain. I'm really surprised that it feels no different than leather to sit on sheepskin full of water.

I'm idly wondering why you posted on a UK forum to ask from Australia about a saddle made in Australia? They are so uncommon here I've never seen one or ever heard of them.

Sheepskin will somewhat draw the moisture down, and may feel drier than soaked leather. If you've not conditioned leather (or have a suede seat!!) it's going to feel wet pretty quickly.

EA Mattes is not an Australian brand nor is it made here. It's European which I believe the UK is a part of making it a hell of a lot closer to the origin of manufacture?

German, with Polish manufacturing plant. Obviously with Brexit the latter part has, sniff, somewhat changed!

Yes it is a German company with a UK offshoot for want of a better word!

Mattes UK used to be a thing, now distributed by Zebra, one of the big industry players.

I've never had one in stock, and they don't come up on the regular Mattes site. I'd always wondered why they were so much pricier than Christ Lamfelle, so this has been an interesting thread. Both good products I would say, but I'd not use stirrups on the Christ Lamfelle and am not convinced the Mattes one should be used with them either, I'd like to see the structure in the flesh as a minimum before being sure.

 

[ester]

Prob still existed in 2017 ?

 

[LordeeLordee]

I've never had one in stock, and they don't come up on the regular Mattes site. I'd always wondered why they were so much pricier than Christ Lamfelle, so this has been an interesting thread. Both good products I would say, but I'd not use stirrups on the Christ Lamfelle and am not convinced the Mattes one should be used with them either, I'd like to see the structure in the flesh as a minimum before being sure.[/QUOTE]

Just wanted to note that the Christ bareback pad and Mattes saddle are not alike at all and I have seen both in the flesh.

The mattes is not just a fancy bareback pad, it has shims, a tunnel, and pressure distribution and is made for use with stirrups (safe for horses as far as my research has allowed-and I did hours upon hours before placing it on my horses back!) puts you in good dressage position, don’t think I’d be comfortable jumping in it although I have heard some do.
It may look super comfy and it is but it’s not a arm chair that’s for sure!
Mattes has no limit on riding with stirrups like the Christ.

I bought the Christ (which I wouldn’t personally/or planned to with stirrups) and returned it and bought a mattes saddle.
nothing against the Christ, it was lovely-the Mattes is just very differently structured.

Worth looking into both, personally my horse and I are very happy!