I CHAT WITH BEV FROM BATES SADDLERY! - She answers YOUR questions about BATES saddles!

[@bobbi0513]

Extremely informative. Thank you.

[@isanybodyoutthere9694]

Thanks so much for this video. I've been looking forward to this one! This has answered all my questions concerning this type of saddle.

[@kendraweiland9202]

I am the Kendra who’s question you answered. Very helpful! I’d love to go sit in a few bates/wintec saddles now! I’m in need of 2 new Dressage saddles at the moment.

[@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter]

Glad it was helpful! xxx

[@lunamrkovacki1025]

I've had the Bates Hunter Jumper for 5 years now, and absolutely love it! It was a game changer for me, and I highly recommend it

[@reidequi3976]

Love your videos Poppy! Please never stop! 💕

[@suebraun374]

Great video. I am contemplating making a purchase of Bates dressage saddle. However I don't have saddle fitters close to me so I have to figure out on my own what will work best for me and my horse.

[@emmalink6249]

Hi! I know you posted this comment long ago, and if you have found a solution thats great!, but if you havent, have you tried contacting a saddle fitter and sending pictures and measurements of your horse, the saddle and yourself? Maybe the saddle fitter could at least give you some tips and guidance!

[@suebraun374]

@@emmalink6249 I did make a purchase of a Bates Dressage + through Bahr Saddlery here in Canada. They were excellent to deal with. I did have a bit of a wait as the saddle had to be ordered in but well worth it. It is working out well for the horse and myself. Great product!

[@bronxxx9479]

Thanks so much Poppy and Bev! I finally have an answer to the gullet bar issue! It totally makes sense and I am so happy they are not an issue as I just invested in a Wintec Wide!!! Its so confusing in the horse world, coz everyone has an opinion - love hearing advice from professionals! I just want what is best for my boy!

[@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter]

So glad to have helped xxx i hope you LOVE your new saddle!!

[@sunnyruth8575]

So say if I get a bates and shim and adjust the fit do I use a finer saddle pads because saddle pads do take up shim room

[@BEE-cd8zk]

Is it worth investing in a Bates saddle for the interchange gullet system ? I ride a young horse who has a difficult time with saddle fitting , as a 4x + a week leaser I was wondering if I should invest in a saddle for him that could be adjusted as he needs it . However upon reading the probability of the gullet interchangeablility fixing the problem is like 65%…? Considering all of the other points of measurement on the horses back ?

[@Senapsdesign]

What if you use them in a really cold environment?like here in Norway we have minus 20 in winter and +30 in summer. Air will compress with the cold...so what then happens to my saddle?

[@Lyndengeo]

Very helpful. In a way you do do a wide pony saddle in the form of the Arena. I have one. I had issues finding a saddle flocker here in Tasmania, Australia. It's a lovely little saddle. I am thinking about Bates differently now. The shims are a good idea to customise fit. I think it makes u more educated about fit. Thanks.

[@emileeketler4978]

Hi! Just wondering- I thought Collegiate saddles were also made by wintec-bates. Is that not the case anymore? Thanks so much!

[@NoThankUBeQuiet]

Definitely not too much quality in the collegiate and this is from someone who has owned many

[@NoThankUBeQuiet]

My horse isn't symmetrical why would I want the saddle to be

[@sunnyruth8575]

And do pads styles depend on horse styles I'm getting a fjord. And I have a short stout Oldenburg. Two different backs. They will have two different saddles

[@kemosobifriend4895]

How do I measure the gullet on my saddle?

[@annafereday1918]

What’s your opinion on humane girth’s? All I’ve heard about them is good

[@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter]

oooh they're a controversial topic... and my view isn't always shared by all the other fitters in the world - so bear that in mind... so... are you sitting comfortably? I think it depends on the girth. There are loads of good things about them, they have help equalise and distribute pressure. The girth can take up some of the movement before the saddle does. They can be brilliant for horses who puff out and who otherwise you can't fit the girth round (and avoid going to the top hole when on).... but.... a bit but... they can REALLY cause pressure points where the little D ring thing is, that the webbing slides through. Many of them have little or no padding there - try running your hand behind there when the girth is done up tight. OUCH. Also, if a girth strap snaps, your girth instantly loosens. So, if you're considering one, make sure it's SUPER well padded behind that D ring.

[@annafereday1918]

@@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter Thank you! I’ll have a look 👀 !

[@megandonovin8329]

My saddle fitter mentioned how she wasn’t a fan of the thinner area of padding sorta in the middle of the panels. I thought this was due to creating a closer contact saddle but my saddle fitter said it’s best to have wider panels to distribute weight what are your thoughts or opinions on this? I can send a photo of the area I’m talking about if needed :)

[@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter]

It VERY much depends on the shape of your horse - whilst we all like the idea of nice wide panels, some horses simply cannot support them so they don't have the correct pressure distribution. The older Bates saddles were much narrower in the middle of the panels - they're wider now and also flatter. Plus they compress/spread out with rider's weight on as the CAIR panels sort of squish down. Hope that makes sense?

[@seacucumber703]

How do I measure how many inches my gullet is?

[@saltwaterpurl]

I think Bates saddles have amazing features and they are on an impressive innovation journey. I am hoping for a few more changes as a non-competitive rider: 1) wider/larger panels to increase surface area for weight distribution and 2) fenders instead of fussy stirrup leathers. By increasing the panel size the pressure on any one spot is reduced, and horses can have more comfortable, longer, more sustainable riding lives. Providing a fender option will allow countless riders to comfortably wear their normal pants and without half chaps or tall riding boots! These two changes will save riders so much heartbreak, money, and time. I believe Bates is the right brand to pioneer these changes because of their Aussie lineage. Bates is the ideal company to take the best endurance features of saddles from the Americas, while maintaining the lovely aesthetics and tradition of Aussie saddles.