Arena or Bates saddles

[pinkpikeurs]

I am currently horse shopping for my first horse and am trying to figure out what I am going to do for the saddle. I have basically everything else I’ll need from having lease horses, but I was always lucky the leases came with a saddle so I don’t already own one. Unless I find a horse significantly under budget (unlikely) I won’t be able to afford the custom county saddle I really want (and I will eventually need a dressage saddle too!) for probably a year or so. I’d also like to make sure the horse works out before I spending a lot on 2 saddles. I looked at the used market, and almost everything under 3k is in rough shape, and at that price point i’d rather put the money toward the dream saddles. So I started to look at cheaper saddles I can get new (under 1600 ish). I do not like synthetic.

So does anyone have experience with Arena saddles, specifically the jump or AP? Better yet if anyone has pics of how theirs held up. How do they compare to the Bates? Is it worth spending a few hundred more for the entry level bates? Not going to be a forever saddle but will it be decent enough, and comfortable? I have been very spoiled being able to take lessons in relatively new high end saddles.

Also interested in any other recommendations for affordable leather jump saddles. But I do like the adjustability of the Arena and Bates as my new horse builds muscle and changes shape (another reason I don’t want to spend on the high end saddle right away)

[OTTBs]

Kent and Masters saddles are under $1600 new and adjustable. I have the partially synthetic Thorowgood saddles made by the same company.

[DiamondJubilee]

I had a bates many years ago and really liked it. I found it comfy and it fit my wide ponies and it was easy for me to change to my smaller ponies.

[NC001]

Our saddle fitter recommended both the Arena and Bates for our new horse. We went with a Bates jump mostly because it was available close by 9Ive heard many shipping delays with orders lately). I was unable to find the size and flaps we needed used and we needed something. I hope to get a Bates dressage as well. Eventually we hope to upgrade but for now this works. My daughter likes it - it is a little narrow for me but otherwise fine.

I know many people say go used to get more for your money and trust me we tried but we couldnt find anything that fit both my daughter and the horse - we tried multiple saddles and had the saddle fitter out a couple times (and its not a hard to fit horse) and we needed something so we went with the Bates.

[tbchick84]

I tried two different Bates saddles and both tipped me forward. Neither fit the horse particularly well. I ended up with Thorowgood (lower end of Kent & Masters) until I finally spent the money on a used Black Country and realized you can’t beat a higher end saddle. The balance for the rider is just so much better. You sit in them instead of on them if that makes sense.

[Laurierace]

I have never even heard of Arena saddles so can’t comment on that. If you do get a Bates make sure you get an old one because the newer ones ie less than 10 years are practically made out of plastic. The leather never softens up or takes any oil.

[Jorja_K]

I have a Bates dressage and jumping saddle and they are really nice and comfortable. They fit all my horses. If your budget allows get it in LUXE leather

[frugalannie]

Arena is made by Bates. If it’s the right fit for you great. The one I tried had CAIR panels which get mixed reviews. Many folks love them but some don’t. I ended up not getting it because it didn’t fit me.

[LittleMare]

I also dreamt of a custom County. However I found a Black Country Tex Eventer basically new (had been a trial saddle) for $2500. I didn’t know I would love it so much, but I adore that saddle. It puts me in a great balance, much better than the couple of bates I have ridden in.

[RizenPhoenix09]

@Laurierace, I have owned several Bates of all ages (from 15 years to new) and there are definitely differences across the years. I was surprised you found the newer Bates to have lower-quality leather than the current ones.

My newest is the Advanta which I love. In fact, I sold my custom Devoucoux to buy the Advanta. The leather is lovely and the adjustability makes it an ideal saddle for my young horse. Before the Advanta, I had the Elevation which was 4 years old and it was very nice although the leather was not near the same quality as my Advanta. I agree that it did not seem to truly soften, but the leather was still good. My ten-year-old Isabel was nice. My six-year-old H/J was not nearly the quality of the others. Perhaps it depends on the model?

I am a huge proponent of Bates saddles. Once my young horse is done growing I will likely buy him a custom County as they are my absolute favorite. However, for a horse that needs a chance to grow and change I do not think you can beat Bates. Although I will stipulate that the adjustability is only as good as the end-users saddle fit knowledge and skill.

[four2farm]

I bought an older CAIR adjustable Bates Caprilli long flap today. I got a smoking deal on it because it is the Carmel (Orange) color. It did come with the gullet kit, girth, leathers, flex stirrups, cover and a nice new saddle pad for 40% of the new purchase.

So, by the end of next week the saddle and all it’s accoutrement will be havana or chocolate brown. Then if I like it, it will stay, if not then back on consignment it will go.

People seem to love them or hate them. I guess I will see. I have to agree, I am seriously jonesing for a Black Country…I am just trying to be a fiscally responsible adult for a bit after buying the horse and a ridiculous amount of stuff for him already.

[Laurierace]

Mine is way older than the ones you are talking about. Back when they were made in Australia, so at least 15 years ago. By newer ones I guess I was referring to 6 years old or so, not sure what the current ones are like as I pretty much wrote them off after they started making the plastic-y ones.

[Texarkana]

I have never owned a Bates, but used to ride in them for my lessons. I’m not sure how old the ones I rode in were, but old enough to be broken in, and I was pretty disappointed in the leather quality. Hard and slick. Is that typical or was that due to poor care on the owner’s part?

I otherwise love them from a balance and adjustability standpoint. I actually ride in Wintecs for both jumping and dressage now. I know the OP isn’t interested in synthetics, but I just mention it because after riding in those Bates saddles for lessons, it convinced me the leather was not worth the price for my purposes.

[four2farm]

The Bates Caprilli is nice, the one I bought has nice leather, soft. I did not like the twist or where it put my leg, so it will be back on the market. This certainly not a complaint, the saddle is very nice, CAIR panels soft and squishy and the seat comfy. The long flap was just not forward enough for my leg length and the twist just a tad wide. It also was a little close for Ed’s tallish wither.

I know I could make adjustments to fit him, the real issue was my ridiculous long thigh… After looking this one over, I would recommend one to some one looking for a really sturdy, comfortable saddle for a growing horse or riding numerous horses.