Saddle dilemma WWYD

[JulesRules]

Had the saddle fitter out yesterday as I want to buy the pony a Dressage saddle.

Tried a couple of Wide/Cob options as said pony is built like a coffee table, and my favorite option was the Bates Wide DR.

But this is where my problem lies. I'm set on having the saddle in Brown and this raises 2 issues - 1) to get the saddle made in Brown if I order now I'll get the saddle Sept or Oct, 2) to have saddle in Brown I have to have the upgraded leather which takes the saddle over budget. This isn't ideal as I'm about to get a new car so pennies are a bit limited.

The Wintec version is available in brown right now, and comes in under budget. I'm a fan of the new wintec's and pony is ridden in the Wide GP. If I hadn't sat in the Bates I probably would have been totally happy with the Wintec, but the DR will probably end up being the one he's mostly ridden in and my ❤ kind of wants the Bates..... but the Quest season will be over by the time I get it. I've managed this long ( over 2 years) with the GP but now I've got the ££ for a DR I'm feeling impatient.

My other option would of course be, just to have black. I could have it quickly and could have the standard leather which is closer to my original budget. The issue with this is the need to buy a new bridle, new webbers and new stirrups, which would take me back over budget ?.

The answer to my prayers would be to find a second hand one in Brown that I could have quickly and which came in under budget, but having scoured the internet I can only find an 18" which is too big. I did find a used Wintec in black for much cheaper and I'm tempted to buy it and then order the Brown and use the Wintec while I wait and then sell on...

I'm just so confused by my options! After sleeping on it I'm no closer to an answer

WWYD? Does anyone have any perals of wisdom that might help me to decide??

 

[rextherobber]

I'd suppress my loathing of black tack and buy a secondhand black Bates, and keep an eye out for a brown one coming up for sale secondhand.

 

[paddi22]

I'd get the cheap black Wintec and then sell it on when the brown one arrived in autumn

 

[Tiddlypom]

A black dressage saddle will be easier to sell on later, as dressage peeps prefer black tack. Get the saddle you prefer and is available now. Unless black would be a colour clash with your horse?

You could likely get a nice black bridle second hand.

Disclaimer - I prefer black tack (which offends the purists ).

 

[Fluffypiglet]

I would stick with your current saddle and order the one that you want, with ??that it turns up earlier than expected. Buying an interim saddle would just be spending money for no reason and you might as well go for the one you love. Delayed gratification is a thing isn't it? Albeit very delayed!!

Eta given the three different responses given so far, I'm not sure we're going to help with your decision!

 

[Jeni the dragon]

I got a brown Wintec dressage on ebay, a few years ago now, for about £100! I wasn't particularly looking for brown as it was a stop gap!
I'd order the brown, and keep an eye out for a second hand Wintec.

 

[JulesRules]

Eta given the three different responses given so far, I'm not sure we're going to help with your decision!

Oddly, you kind-of are as it's making me work each scenario through in my head.

1st world problems eh!

 

[milliepops]

I'd get the cheap black Wintec and then sell it on when the brown one arrived in autumn

Yup agreed.

 

[Roxylola]

Buy the cheap wintec. Give it a month, see if you can live with it. If you just need the brown Bates still after that then order the Bates

 

[asmp]

https://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/...llet.html?link=/search?keyword=Bates+dressage

No idea if any good

 

[lottiepony]

I agree with Fluffypiglet, be patient and get the brown Bates ordered. No point in spending extra money when it's really not necessary and you will end up with the saddle you want.
I was recently in the same position as was on the hunt for a brown Ideal Impala Pro dressage saddle as no way could I afford new. Luck was one my side as after waiting about 2 1/2 months the most beautiful one appeared on ebay so managed to get that. I was getting to the point where I thought I'd have to end up with black.
May be worth checking Facebook for used saddles pages specifically Bates and putting a wanted post up?

 

[JulesRules]

https://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/120563460/17-bates-dressage-saddle-adjustable-gullet.html?link=/search?keyword=Bates+dressage

No idea if any good

Unfortunately it needs to be the Wide version that takes the lilac bars. They are quite hard to come by anyway, but once you add in the brown they are like hen's teeth ?

Thanks though. Feel free to keep looking ?

 

[Frumpoon]

If you want a 16.5 i've found one on facebook

 

[Northern]

I would suggest looking at the Australian market, Bates is an Australian brand after all. They are dime a dozen here so even with postage should come in under budget.
What are the specs you're after? I can have a look on the FB sites I am part of
Feel free to PM if you like.

 

[JulesRules]

If you want a 16.5 i've found one on facebook

If only my fat ass would fit into it. I need 17 or 17.5?

Thanks for the heads up though. Gives me hope there is one out there ?

 

[sport horse]

Put a wanted advert all over everywhere for what you want secondhand and see what happens. You may be lucky.

 

[Widgeon]

I would suggest looking at the Australian market, Bates is an Australian brand after all. They are dime a dozen here so even with postage should come in under budget.
What are the specs you're after? I can have a look on the FB sites I am part of
Feel free to PM if you like.

Is that really true, do you think? I'm also thinking about a Bates (currently got a Wintec) but it had definitely never occured to me to ship a saddle all the way from Australia! Do you know what it would cost - have you ever sold and shipped one to the UK?

 

[ester]

what paddi said.

fwiw I have a brown dressage saddle and do love it which is why it's been sat in the loft for 4 odd years now as they don't come up 2nd hand much.

 

[buffy2]

I've got a brown bates isabell welth dressage saddle 17.5 inch, Im thinking of selling, only used a few times x

 

[eggs]

I've got a brown bates isabell welth dressage saddle 17.5 inch, Im thinking of selling, only used a few times x

I tried selling my brown IW Wintec dressage on eBay a few years ago and got no interest at all but the black one that I put on at the same time had a bunch of bids.

To be honest if you have set your heart on a brown Bates then wait for that one but I wouldn't worry about buying a matching bridle as once you are sitting on the saddle no-one is going to notice if the colours are not the same.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

I'd get the black Bates, no one will ever notice you have a black saddle and brown bridle (no one ever notices it on mine). You can always get a new black bridle later.

If you got the Wintec you'd be always looking for it's replacement.

 

[ester]

I'd notice ?

 

[AUB]

Buy the saddle you dream of and f... the budget! You’ll be happy every day in that saddle.

 

[DirectorFury]

Buy the dream saddle and continue using your GP until it turns up - you've managed 2 years, another 5 months should be doable *.

* the 4 months I had to wait for my custom saddle were utterly torturous but well worth it

 

[sbloom]

October? Seriously, wow, most manufacturing schedules are back on track, everything I'm working on is 2-3 months at the most. I totally understand if you only want to use that fitter but there will be other options.

 

[Britestar]

Many years ago I wanted a brown wintec dressage, wool not cair.
It is not a UK line, so had to be ordered from Australia specially.

I waited a long time for it too - probably it comes seafreight, and they will wait until the next shipment leaves.

The alternative is to get someone in Australia to buy it for you, and then send it across. The cost will be higher, but you'll get it sooner.

I still have mine, love it and secretly pleased it's probably the only one in the UK.

 

[JulesRules]

Sorry, been out jumping with the other horse ( in her black Bates GP ?)

I have an update!!

I've found a second hand one in the right size and colour with a saddler down south. I've made an offer. I'm awaiting the reply......

 

[Northern]

Is that really true, do you think? I'm also thinking about a Bates (currently got a Wintec) but it had definitely never occured to me to ship a saddle all the way from Australia! Do you know what it would cost - have you ever sold and shipped one to the UK?

Yep, pretty much everyone has/has had a Bates here. Shipping over is easy, shipping TO Australia is harder with extra customs requirements. Honestly whether it goes to the Northern Hemisphere or Western Australia (for example) doesn't make a difference, the only difference is price. From what I can gather, overseas shipping to the UK is between 40-60 pounds, depending on whether it's going by air or sea freight. I've never shipped one to the UK but I would not have a problem doing so

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Unfortunately it needs to be the Wide version that takes the lilac bars. They are quite hard to come by anyway, but once you add in the brown they are like hen's teeth ?

Thanks though. Feel free to keep looking ?

Hi just asking how do you know what gullet bars they take do they not all fit every saddle then?

 

[JulesRules]

Hi just asking how do you know what gullet bars they take do they not all fit every saddle then?

They both take the white xw

The standard fit takes everything narrower eg blue red green yellow black

The Wide takes everything wider eg lilac , purple, dark purple