Opinions/experiences on Bates saddles?

Uraeus

Uraeus

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I'm at my wits end!

My boy is now 3 1/2 and I'm starting to look at saddles for him. He's a competition horse so my thoughts were buy a Bates Elevation DS+ for him as his main jump/schooling saddle and then get a dressage saddle a little later on. He's coming along superbly but the saddle I backed him in doesnt fit anymore so.... I need a new one!

I've been looking at various Albions, Kent and masters, GFS, Bates and have decided to try a Bates saddle. I have been told (by the Bates stockiest) that the Elevation will last him his whole life long. It doesnt matter how much he changes, it will always be able to be adjusted to him. Now I don't mind paying 1600 for a saddle, if it's true and it will fit him forever (obv with adjustment along the way) but are they as good as they seem? I went to a normal saddler and asked and she basically said its bull. No saddle can be completely adjusted and just buy a normal one from her and she'll fit it for him as he changes.

I'm so confused. I thought the Bates was an excellent idea but now I'm not so sure.

Anybody with experience of a Bates saddle on a young or old horse, good or bad I'd just like to know. Get an unbiased opinion.

Thanks for reading my rambling :)
 
Also love my Isabell. It took a while to get used to it but now I wouldn't trade it for anything!
 
If you want something that will last a long time and you aren't too worried about cost what about the Barnsby Itree?
 
I'm currently riding a friend's horse and he has a Bates Caprilli saddle, the leather work is really good, it's one tough cookie of a saddle, but at the same time is really comfy for both of us!
 
Hi, I have an elevation and I adore it, I've used wintec and bates for the last ten years (different styles) and have found them to be exceptional. I bought my elevation forms girl ebony, she was PTS last year, since backing Ben at three a year ago he has been in the elevation. I've ridden regularly in it and its just so comfy. Plus sides, very versatile in terms of fit, I'm always happier with cair rather than traditional flocking, adjustability for babies especially is key. I felt really really safe in it while riding and getting to know my baby. Sadly I'm now finding some negatives although I think you plan to just keep this for jumping so it may well not be relevant, because it is so forward cut, it needs to sit further back to clear the shoulder, you will therefore notice that the girth sits further back... Don't try and amend this, just go with it. Because it is so forward cut, I now need to sell it because it is my only saddle and Ben has built up beautifully in every area apart from behind his shoulders, I need a straighter cut saddle that will not restrict such development and movement. Again, because it sits further back... It therefore sits further back on the spine, I'd suggest strongly looking at a smaller saddle than you normally would go for unless your horse has a longer back that can accommodate this. All my above negatives are purely because I'm using an elevation for everyday riding... It doesn't suit that, but were I jumping and eventing at a decent level, I'd not be selling it, I'd also definitely get one again in the future. I've never had one slip, or even move a smidgen :) the only thing I would say is that yes, these saddles go on for years, but do not forget that there is flocking under the pommel, this will need to be plumped up as time goes by. If you've got the cash, and plan to have an everyday/schooling saddle too, go for it, you will not regret it :)

I'd also say that he has regular massage sessions and the other week when his back lady came out there were absolutely no problem areas from the saddle, its always fab to know that your horse is really comfy in his/her tack
 
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My budget does not allow , sadly :(

But friends who have them have used them from the youngsters up!

With regular fitting and tweaking ( minimal price ) they would never have another saddle :)

Luckily for me all of mine have fitted a thorowgood perfectly ?
 
Uraeus said:
Has anyone found an instance where they don't fit? Or have had trouble with slipping?
Click to expand...

Yes, as with Bates & the other makes of adjustable saddle they are advertised that they will fit any horse but they won't. The gullets are adjustable, which is useful but that isn't the only part of a saddle that needs adjusting to make a good fit. I've known quite a few horses that they didn't fit. If you can borrow one & try it on your horse before you commit to buying one, then that is a good way to go.
 
I had a Bates Caprilli dressage saddle that now doesn't fit my horse (Arab/TB/Welsh/English Riding Pony mix) as it slipped forward onto his shoulders regardless of how wide or narrow it was. I then bought him an Wintec Isabell and now that doesn't fit as the horse has lost too much weight (a good thing!).

In saying that, I liked both of the saddles, and still have a Bates Caprilli flat seat saddle for jumping which is wonderful and sits really nicely.
 
I have a bates caprilli it didnt fit my boy vey well some thing to do with big shoulders? Shape of tree just didnt suit him I bought it new thinking the same as you! I now have a kent and masters gp because every pannel can be adjusted so for now thats waht we jump in etc i also recently bought a second hand dressage knowing full well it wont fit forever my boy just turnrd six. Have kept the bates hoping it may fit my yearling in a few years hears hoping x
 
I honestly think they're better for riders than horses, for many reasons, this being the main one:

http://saddlefitter.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/changeable-gullets-details.html

This causes pressure spots under the rails of the tree that run behind the stirrup bars, and where these saddles DO cause problems (some horses seem to be fine in them) this is where they'll make your horse sore.

Most wooden treed saddles can have the tree adjusted a handful of times, which can be enough for the mjority of horses, until they change shape so much that the tree or panel is no longer right, which doesn't always happen. So there's less of a disadvantage than you think, it buys you access to a lot more saddles to find one that fits, but you do need to find a fitter who will work that way, some won't adjust trees at all and insist on you paying for a new tree or a new saddle!
 
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