Any thoughts on this saddle. Someone in my barn has a used one so I want to check it out.
Try it on your horse, if it fits, sit in it.
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Personally, I don’t think All Purpose saddles help anyone. They’re not forward enough for jumping, and they don’t put you in the right position for dressage. They’re really No Purpose saddles.
You can easily flat or go up to 1st level dressage in a good close contact with longer stirrups, and are well supported for jumping.
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I am decidedly not a fan of all-purpose saddles. In all my life, I’ve only seen one, maybe two people, who were not negatively affected by the saddle when riding in one.
As far as Bates goes, as a brand – I do like them alright, personally. I had a Bates close contact saddle for a while many years ago. The leather was nice, & it put me in a good position. I only sold it because when I started my (now 11-y/o) gelding under saddle I quickly found that the CAIR panels did not agree w/ him, & left him a bit sore through the back. Other horses I’d used it on did not have this issue though.
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I’ve had a Bates air cushioned ride for years. It fits everything so far. Leather is good quality and has held up well.
Puts my leg in a good position for both dressage and jumping depending on the length of the leathers. It is comfortable.
When I first got it I went up country for a riding trip - five days of five hour rides each day. Not a sign of sore back on my TB, while the Western horses all had some kind of soreness when checked. I am very at home in it. I don’t do enough flat work to justify both saddles, so sold the dressage saddle.
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I had the Wintek version of this saddle and have loved it for years. It’s not going to take you to Rolex or to Dressage at Devon, but for a comfortable saddle for trail riding, a little jumping, a little dressagy flatwork, it’s a great option.
Would I pay full price for a leather Bates version? maybe. Full disclosure: my favorite saddle is a County Eventer, which I got when the Wintek didn’t fit my current horse. I like AP saddles in general.
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I’m thinking I may pass…especially since the woman won’t answer about price.
I have heard this sentiment expressed from time to time by different folks, and I don’t necessarily agree. I am no expert, but I’ve saddle shopped, and I have made something of a project of trying to have more than just a cursory understanding of saddles and saddle fit.
Just as all cc and dressage saddles are not the same, all AP/GP saddles are not the same. Some you look at and obviously go “Oh, it’s an all-purpose”. But some look and ride more like jump saddles, others look and ride more like dressage saddles. I think if an all-purpose/general purpose saddle fits the horse and rider well and puts the rider in what is basically a correct position allowing proper alignment shoulder/hip/heel, then there is nothing wrong with an AP/GP for someone who is not married to one particular discipline and doesn’t aspire to jump very high. For those “doing” dressage, I think they flat every bit as well as jump saddles - if not a bit better.
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I know this is a moot point, since the OP is likely not pursuing this saddle. But I have a Wintec AP, and supposedly the Bates/Wintec designs are very similar being of the same parent company.
Since I have purchased the Wintec AP, I have barely touched my CC jump saddle nor my dressage saddle. I just love the Wintec. I’ve been using it in both my jumping lessons and my dressage lessons. Like @Groom&Taxi said, AP saddles are not all created equal. Most importantly, the saddle needs to fit the horse/rider combination.
I grew up a dyed-in-the-wool hunter/jumper traditionalist who wouldn’t have been caught dead in a “no purpose” saddle in my younger years. But where I am at this point in my riding career, I was surprised to find that this AP saddle does exactly what it’s billed to do: it puts me in a better position for flatwork than my jump saddle (which encourages me to ride too forward), yet I still have the freedom and mobility needed to be in a good position over fences. Of course, since we are not all built the same, YMMV, but I have been pleasantly surprised.
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Right now I am using a Bates All Purpose. It is my best friend’s saddle, has adjustable gullet. It fits her qh gelding and fits my wb mare. I really like it. It puts me in a great position. Caveat- though I used it and basically broke it in, I did look in to buying one of my own. I decided on a custom CWD which fits my horses shoulder a tad better and has varying options for length.
If I was on a budget- I’d definitely have bought the Bates.
Have just purchased a custom County for Aubrey but use my Bates for Quinny. Still LOVE the saddle and it’s one of the originals. Beautiful leather, has held up incredibly well and I have no problem with jumping in it or the positioning of my leg. No desire to sell it.
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I rode my Crosby Lexington AP until I bought a horse that it didn’t fit. 10 years.
Discovered my County Stabilizers and never looked back.
If another horse finds me, I will gladly try both saddles and be thrilled to ride in either.
I have a young friend who has asked a few times a saddle she thinks she might want. She gives me the details, and almost always I talk her out of it. I generally go to Pelham Saddlery’s website. They, and other large consignment shops, generally have enough inventory that you can get a good idea what’s out there and what the price range is. She got a great deal on a Stubben dressage saddle from a local rider. The jumping saddle she was looking at was way overpriced for what it was. She knows her older County dressage saddle is worth way more than she paid for it. It’s a good way to learn more about what you have, what you’re looking for, and compare the brands and models against each other.
The Bates saddles represent value for money … they are not terribly expensive, quality leather, well made and last.
More expensive saddles may attract some buyers, just because, but the Bates is a pretty good saddle and I’ve had mine for years.
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Update…this person also has a bates elevation saddle that I tried and liked. I will probably get it if it fits my horse.
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