Saddle reccomendations please

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Laura2408

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:) Hi.

I am looking for a new saddle for my horse (high withered arab) hopefully in the next month or so.

I have been looking at the Bates Caprilli saddle to start with but I am bit confused as they dont seem to have widths, so are they bought one size and then adjusted or am I just being silly? Could my normal saddler adjust it for me once bought?

This is the one I am talking about:
http://www.rideaway.co.uk/bates-caprilli-all-purpose-saddle-with-cair/default.aspx


He will be coming out and bringing a selection with him but I am not sure what makes to go for and what makes to avoid?
Ideally I want to pay no more than £800 inc fitting so I am thinking second hand is more likley?
Most second hand I have seen look all faded and rubbish though, is there a way to prevent this!

Others I have looked at are GFS pro event, has anyone got one of these instead?

Saddle will be used for a bit of everything (hacking, pleasure rides, schooling, bit of jumping and some local level showing, so must be smart enough to scrub up well)
I also would much prefer black, but would this be marked down locally when showing?

I also would like one that can be adjusted as he is forever changing shape, are most saddles adjustable?

Thanks!
 
Have a look at the Classic Saddlery (CS) range: http://www.classicsaddlerywalsall.co.uk/

I have the Classic Bavarian from the GP/Jumping range - it is more of a jumping saddle than a GP I would say, but I love it to bits and on the odd couple of occasions I have taken my mare showing, I have used it with no problems. It is SO comfortable - it was custom made for both of us about five years ago, and with the cost of fitting as well it came to £850 - amazing value.

Have a look through the range - there are lots to choose from! But I cannot recommend them enough - I'd never buy anything else now!
 
Adjustable saddles have a gullet bar that can be changed for any width (screws in) so they don't show a width.

However 'adjustable' def doesn't mean it will fit - the width is only a small part of the fit.

If you're arab has typical arab loins (wide and flat) then the wintec/bates (same brand - wintecs the synthetic, bates is leather) is unlikely to fit - they don't suit many horses due to their stupid tree and panel design (though the newer models have sorted it a little)

I'd be more inclined to try Thorowgood saddles. The T6 looks exactly like leather (really, it's hard to tell even once you've touched it), the Kent and Masters are all leather and the Fairfax are the superior leather version. They too have changable gullets but unlike wintec the tree is a better design (and there's a couple of models for different back types (cob, standard, high withered etc)). Like any saddle, they don't fit everything, but they are a good fit on many. The Thorowgood T6 are about £400 new, the Kent and Masters about £600 and the Fairfaxes are about £700 (I think).

If you want black, go for it. Only at higher levels is it frowned upon, and even then it's acceptable if it suits the horse's colour.
 
If you search for the Bates saddles threads on here, it sounds like quite a few people dislike the cair system that is used.

I also like the GFS pro event, not used one, but my previous arab mare had a fitted GFS Haflinger and it was soooooo comfy.

For showing brown tack is "correct" however I am of the opinion that for small local shows then it should not matter, and because I ride a black horse and black tack would look silly on him :)

Agree with above, you could try Thorowgood as they make saddles that fit a range of horse shapes, have adjustable gullets etc. They are synthetic but the newer range does look like leather and would be well within your budget.
 
Last edited:
Kallibear said:
Adjustable saddles have a gullet bar that can be changed for any width (screws in) so they don't show a width.

However 'adjustable' def doesn't mean it will fit - the width is only a small part of the fit.

If you're arab has typical arab loins (wide and flat) then the wintec/bates (same brand - wintecs the synthetic, bates is leather) is unlikely to fit - they don't suit many horses due to their stupid tree and panel design (though the newer models have sorted it a little)

I'd be more inclined to try Thorowgood saddles. The T6 looks exactly like leather (really, it's hard to tell even once you've touched it), the Kent and Masters are all leather and the Fairfax are the superior leather version. They too have changable gullets but unlike wintec the tree is a better design (and there's a couple of models for different back types (cob, standard, high withered etc)). Like any saddle, they don't fit everything, but they are a good fit on many. The Thorowgood T6 are about £400 new, the Kent and Masters about £600 and the Fairfaxes are about £700 (I think).

If you want black, go for it. Only at higher levels is it frowned upon, and even then it's acceptable if it suits the horse's colour.
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Ah I didnt realise Bates was Wintec, I hate wintecs so thats out!

I already have a thorowgood T4. It is actually a lovely saddle but unfortunatley it dosent fit me very well, I find the seat a little big the saddle dosent allow me to sit right if that makes sense, I feel as though I am perched on top. I also want something a little smarter for showing etc as the suede dosent look right in the ring really. I will still keep it as an everyday saddle though as it fits horse well. I was also concidering a VSD rather than GP.

I have looked at the T6 but didnt know exactly how 'leather like' it was. I really wanted a leather that I could shine up for the ring. I would definatley concider it though if saddler was willing to fit one!

The makes I have had good reccomendations for are the GFS pro event and also ideal saddles. I would have just just wait and see what saddler is willing to bring out though.
 
I have just bought a GFS pro event saddle and its brilliant!! its so comfy looks super smart and is close contact so you can feel the horse!!! Its really soft leather too so didnt need loads of oiling it was £895 inc a saddler fitting it.

Would definately recommend you try one I think they are great! :D
 
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