Saddle advice please

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marion95

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Hello,

I have a new 4yo WB who was in very poor condition when I got him - he's already put on 30kg in 4 weeks, so is improving all the time, but also changing shape. I need to get a saddle for him, but don't know what to get as he will obviously continue changing shape quite drastically. I was thinking about an adjustable gullet one, but haven't heard great things about them?

Will need to be second hand/cheap! Would obviously get it fitted properly, but just wondered if anyone else has had the same dilemma and found a solution...?
 
The Bates Caprilli is fab- I can't rate it highly enough. I have had it on my horse since the day he was backed and he has changed shape in every which way! I would probably have been through 3/4 saddles by now.

Changing the gullets is easy, once you get the hang of it it takes about 5 minutes to do- and it is easy for the saddler to adjust the flair on site.

It is very comfy and does the job!!
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I love the wintec saddles - they are nice and light so help prevent back problems and are adjustable. My mare changes shape allll the time and she goes through three different gullets generally by season, and we get it fitted for us. They are not too expensive first hand but you could probably get one second hand. My mare also has a gel pad etc to make it all more comfy.
 
Ive repeated this before, but all modern saddles are adjustable if there is the facility to reflock, and you have a good saddler behind you! The adjustable gullets just make up for the lack of adjustment in the cair panels. I have an Albion Dressage saddle, and a bates jump saddle, and neither is more adjustable than the other, aslong as you get a tree that fits the horse, any flocking can be adjusted to suit any muscle developement.
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ETS the bates I would recommend to have pro fitted anyway, so cost would only be marginally more to have a saddle adjusted than do the bates adjustment if your getting it checked.
 
Yes but getting a saddle reflocked costs about £80 + visit from saddler (that's what I was charged last time) so that's a lot more than being able to adjust it yourself. I can't afford to be paying to have that done every three months or even less if he keeps changing shape.
 
Fair enough, mine charges £40 for call out and adjustments, and call out is £30 anyway, so not much difference for me! I love my Bates jump saddle, but they dont fit all horses
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I want your saddler! Maybe I am being ripped off. Hmm the Bate's saddles do sound nice with all the talk of no pressure points etc. But as you say, depends on if it fits the horse I guess.
 
They are lovely, but bear in mind compressed air is going to be harder than flocking.... so isnt always the softer option!! But I have both, and my boy goes equally as well in either
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