Problems with Bates Saddles

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TracyJ

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Has anyone else had problems with Bates Saddles? I purchased a new GP one 2 months ago (not cheap, but it's the only one I could find to fit my horse). I looked after it like they tell you to - put the bates balsam on liberally, left it over night and it is cleaned weekly using glycerine soap and then the bates balsam. It is already showning signs of wear where my boots touch the saddle, in fact it looks worse than my old GFS saddle and that was 8 years old. My saddler has been fantastic and it got sent back to bates and returned after a week looking worse than it did before! Apparently there's nothing wrong with it and the soap I am using must be counter acting with something in the balsam. This saddle cost just over £1000, and I am now left with a saddle that looks years old and unloved. Not a happy customer and Bates just aren't interested in helping me out, making me feel that it's all my fault! :mad:
 
I have two bates saddles and love them. I think mine look even more lovely now they are a bit 'worn in'.

The leather on bates saddles is a lot softer/finer than most and I dont particularly think they need oodles of balming and conditioning products put on them.

That said I dont use any tack cleaning products with glycerine in now. I use a leather 'cleaner' which removes all sweat and past cleaning products and then follow it up with soft grease (sparingly!) and thoroughly let it dry in overnight before using my tack (amerigo soft clean and soft grease). Never had a problem using these. The saddles look great and the leather doesnt get that horrible claggy build up of product left on that glycerine can leave.
 
I would have used other products but followed their recomendations as per the care guide that came with the saddle. I have always liked Bates saddles and that was one of the reasons for spending the money on this one, just feel abit let down by Bates themselves, they don't really seem interested in finding out whats gone wrong
 
No :D daughter has had her Bates Caprilli for 4yrs & tbh, it only gets cleaned before PC rallies (so 6 times a year!) It's the only saddle she has so its ridden in daily & it still looks fab :D
 
I have had a Bates saddle for years and have been thrilled with it!! I have always used the Bates leather cleaner and balsalm on it to clean it (which isn't that often!!) and the saddle still looks as good as new :)
 
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