Mattes Fur Saddles?

These remind me of the christ lammefelle bareback pads, they're sheepskin too, treeless with no structure except the padded pommel and cantle. I've ridden in one and they're very comfortable, though impossible to mount from the ground without doing the girth up far too tight. I agree they're not for rainy days though.
 
I have one:
B54816B7-52D2-4C9F-AAFF-4D27C0B6D535.jpg


The bottom layer is a standard Mattes fully lined saddle pad. Then you have a correction type pad, then you have the "tunnel", then you have another layer of sheepskin, before you get to the seat.

As I was only walking with bits of trot, I took the tunnel out, though it is needed of you are doing cantering/jumping where you are applying pressure to the stirrups.

There is a *lot* more structure to these than the Christ bare back pads.
 
ycbm said:
If they were advertised in Britain, with our climate, most people would think it was an April Fool :D
Click to expand...

Pretty sure they wouldnt as I had one for quite a while and theres at least 2 other regular posters who also had them.

They are a cross between a bareback pad and a saddle. Very comfortable once you get used to them.

I had a Christ Lamfelle one and the quality was amazing. I sold it on after about 9months and it still looked like new.
 
Casey76 said:
I have one:
B54816B7-52D2-4C9F-AAFF-4D27C0B6D535.jpg


The bottom layer is a standard Mattes fully lined saddle pad. Then you have a correction type pad, then you have the "tunnel", then you have another layer of sheepskin, before you get to the seat.

As I was only walking with bits of trot, I took the tunnel out, though it is needed of you are doing cantering/jumping where you are applying pressure to the stirrups.

There is a *lot* more structure to these than the Christ bare back pads.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the reply, that's exactly the kind of information I was after! I was trying to work out if it was just a glorified bareback bad or a bit more structures which is what I am after.
 
I have a Christ lamfelle which from the riders point of view is the same on a wet day. It's actually fine. Regardless of what you're sitting on the same amount of rain is going to land on you - the wool is warm even when wet so it's actually better than sitting on a leather saddle.
 
fawaz said:
I don't understand what you mean by 'our' climate?
Click to expand...

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.
 
Last edited:
ycbm said:
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.
Click to expand...

With Facebook killing forums the world over, it's hard to find a forum with a pulse and knowledgeable members. I personally would be happy if this forum became much more international. :)

RE wool saddles, (Christmas) Sparkles rode her cob in one for a long time and competed in to too IIRC.
 
ycbm said:
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.
Click to expand...

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?

I have never seen one not heard of them either but my Google Searches seemed to point to more European users/owners so figured I could post and get some real life reviews as seeing one in the flesh before buying isn't possible.

We get alot of rain here too, most of Australia only has two seasons monsoon season and dry season. Monsoon season is about 5 months of 35-45 degrees day which include torrential rain causing extensive flooding...
 
fawaz said:
I sort of thought as much. It's also cooler in the heat and would be comfortable over long distances I imagine...
Click to expand...

Yes it was fine. I only had the lowest spec one and I don't use it now as I can't plug my air jacket into it. My horse is very picky and if she had any objections I would have got them in wiriting :D
 
ycbm said:
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.
Click to expand...

Faracat said:
RE wool saddles, (Christmas) Sparkles rode her cob in one for a long time and competed in to too IIRC.
Click to expand...

She had one, FW has one, Casey has one, I had one. Thats 4 regular posters all of who have posted about them on here more than once. I would imagine that some of those posts would come up on a google search as well.

There are as many people using these type saddles as use WOW saddles.
 
I have a Christ lamfelle one - really love it but would only ride in it around once a week as not enough protection with long term use for the spine and spinal ligaments IMHO. I'm sure some horses would have no issues but I wouldn't risk it personally. It also concentrates all of the riders weight in one area so for me it's useful for short periods of time and it gives great feel for lateral work but I wouldn't have one as my only saddle.

I haven't tried the mattes one but I would imagine there may be similar issues
 
Wheels said:
I have a Christ lamfelle one - really love it but would only ride in it around once a week as not enough protection with long term use for the spine and spinal ligaments IMHO. I'm sure some horses would have no issues but I wouldn't risk it personally. It also concentrates all of the riders weight in one area so for me it's useful for short periods of time and it gives great feel for lateral work but I wouldn't have one as my only saddle.

I haven't tried the mattes one but I would imagine there may be similar issues
Click to expand...

Thank you for the honest opinion.
 
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'
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top