Saddle fitting help please!

[saddlesore]

As above. Recently bought a bates GP (old model) with Cair. Saddle was fine initially but as flocking settled it started to come down in front and lift at the back. Saddler flocked up front of the saddle and fitted point straps to help stabilise the saddle. Its better BUT its still lifting at the back.

Any thoughts? Incidently his wintec flock is a perfect fit! Could it just be the cair or are the bates a different fit?

 

[Kmmilner]

A Cair saddle is filled with air and is not traditionally flock so the flocking doesn't settle as the air is designed to move to spread the riders weight. I have one of these saddles and experienced a similar problem with it dropping in front. The cause was a burst air bag which had been caused but someone trying to add extra flocking to the front of the saddle and busrting it with the flocking needle. I sugest you get it checked by a qualifed master saddler.

 

[saddlesore]

Thanks for your reply.

How did you solve the problem? Did you replace the cair or get the saddle flocked instead?

Will a Cair saddle not settle and mould to the horse the way a flocked one does?

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I have been told by my saddler that CAIR creates pressure points infront of and behind the rider. When you sit on the saddle, your weight pushes the air away from you (infront and behind). He said that it was tested with one of those pressure numnahs. He also added that FLAIR didn't cause pressure points in the same way, but the correctly fitted flocked saddle came out best.

I would suggest that you have the CAIR taken out and have it flocked and fitted again.

 

[saddlesore]

Thanks for your reply! That makes sense I guess. Its a lovely saddle but doesn't feel well balanced anymore. Think I'll give saddler another call and talk about cost of removing cair.