What Saddle.....arrrggghh

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gibsylee

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8 November 2010
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Hey, was looking at getting a dressage saddle, actually I have booked the guy to come out with the Kent and masters S series, however I was having a look and have found a Bates Caprilli cair in the sale at the same price, only problem is that the only have it in an 18inch and I would normally take a 17.5inch. I have the K&M in GP and have ha no problems but I don't think the leather is great quality. So my question would be, am I better off getting the Bates? My horse is 17.2 so an 18inch shouldn't make much difference. Any advice would be great. Ps I have a budget of about £800. Thanks for your help :0)
 
It isn't the height of the horse that determines what size tree they can take but the 'available' space on their back. My 16.3 can only take a 17" tree due to his sloping wither and length of back (he takes a 6'9" rug) whereas my 16.1 can take a 17.5" saddle but he only takes a 6'3" rug
 
I firstly wouldn't consider cair ( obv personal preference) but have known problems with them. If I were spending £800 I would go for a 2nd hand ideal suzannah with you can get on eBay for around £700 or otherwise it would be a jaguar. Dont know if you have tried either but both are lovely :)Either way I would go for flocked.
Also ditto other poster you need to consider length of back of the horse as well.
 
Oops, I thought that the inch was the seat size? I would obviously go for which ever one fits him better but is the quality of a Bates better than a K & M?
 
gibsylee said:
Oops, I thought that the inch was the seat size? I would obviously go for which ever one fits him better but is the quality of a Bates better than a K & M?
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The inch is the seat size but your horses back will determine what inch saddle it can take.
 
Check available length by feeling/looking where his last rib is & the saddle should not sit past this point. I agree re Flair feels like trying to sit an overinflated spacehopper: flock much nicer.I would also look for a second hand Ideal jessica or susannah rather than a Bates unless horse is young or likely to change shape an awful lot in which case the bates is prob a good idea.The newer Bates & Wintecs are much nicer than the old ones: headplates are different & stirrup bar far better sited so less likelihood of chair seat as with older models.
 
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