What are your thoughts on Bates saddles?

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saddlesore

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Just wondering as I realise that there is not a huge amount of support for wintec saddles on here - is the opinion of bates saddles any better? Currently got my boy in a wintec gp and it fits nicely. Considering upgrading to a bates, any thoughts? :)
 
We used Bates a few years ago & they were fine. They say they can be adjusted to fit any horse, but to be honest there are some horses that they won't fit. They fitted our horses well though & caused no problems. The leather is soft, saddles are comfortable but only use Bates leathers on them. If you use other leathers they really mark the saddle flaps.
 
Got 2 bates - Caprilli dressage & jumping saddles. Great leather, really nice saddles overall in my opinion. Mine are cair and I wish they were flocked tbh, so they would be more adjustable but didn't think about it before hand! Just hoping they'll keep fitting my lad as I think they're brilliant! :D
 
Great thread! I've currently got mine in a Wintec that fits, but at some point want to get him a leather saddle- but I don't have a blind clue about saddle fitting! Maybe I should give bates a go, and then get a fitter out to check :) xx
 
Make sure you check whether you need the cair or not. My boy is very flat-backed and so the cair is no good as it doesn't sit on his back and 'rocks'. Flocked for him is much better.
 
Have 2 Innova's and my horses both love them, they feel so much looser and freer in them, relatively easy to fit too. They have had theirs since Christmas time ish and their muscle and topline has improved greatly!
 
I had a Bates previous to the saddle I have now - unfortunately it wasn't a great fit on the horse, so sold it for an Albion.

But I found it very comfortable - and would definately have one again if it were the correct fit on the horse.
 
I had the bates isabell dressage saddle and it was beautiful, a really comfortable saddle that me and my horse both loved. Sadly I had to sell it as my horse changed shape and I couldn't get it to fit again :(
 
I had a Bates Caprilli fitted to youngster by saddler and I absolutely hated it. Thankfully horse did too so we sent that back pronto!! The CAIR felt so hard and unforgiving. Far prefer flocked saddles.
 
The good thing about Bates is they hold their value relatively well if you decide to change. Also with the newer bates you can add flocking to the cair if necessary (which I have had done for my boy as he is quite flat backed.

My horse is still growing so going to stick to the bates for the middle term, but would invest in the 'forever' saddle in a couple of years.
 
Thanks guys :) Those that changed to flock - was it expensive? My boy is in a flocked wintec and he is pretty flat backed so judging by a couple of your comments would probably need the cair removed. Glad everyone seems to think they are comfy though! :D
Is the fitting of them pretty similar? I think they are built on the same tree is that right?
 
I have a Bates for my TB. Fits him well and I find it really comfy - great for long hacks! I've also had the cair replaced with flock - cost about £50 I think.
 
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