I know this is the horse and rider critique section but do you'all mind looking at this saddle? It's a Bates Caprilli - I think it's about 6 years old? I'm looking at buying it for Riley and I fell like it probably fits him pretty ok but can you glance at it and also see if I'm an ok fit in it? I'm looking down in the pix because I'm looking at the saddle and he's not really being pushed forward because I'm talking and discussing the saddle so don't worry about him. If you need me to get pix where I'm really pushing him out in it I can probably do that.
Also, can you tell me what you would pay for it? Or what it might be worth? Also is there a way I can look it up to see exactly how old it is? It comes w/ the bates leathers and the stirups that are on it (which are cheap ones).
I am by no means a saddle expert:shock: but does it looks like the saddle flaps aren't long enough for your leg? Almost like it's a bit too small for you or is this normal. Is it a close contact? I'm asking this because I'm curious too I'd like to know the answer from some of our more experienced posters.
Okay, yes they're supposed to be forward flaps for the jumping. But when you said your stirrups felt short I then pictured them longer I was thinking that might look weird :-|? But I've been stuck on this a/p wintec for a few months that doesn't have the flaps shaped like that so I'm stuck thinking my saddle is normal and anything else looks weird. haha I'm sorry I'm just so used to my own tack I don't think I should be allowed to make a judgement on anyone elses :shock: *slowly steps out of the room* lol
If you could get a few more pictures like the first ones (him with just the saddle on). One from the very front - Try standing infront of him, put your arms around his neck and get the very front of the saddle. Same for the back to see if it is centered and off his spine.
the saddle looks like it fits your horse pretty well (in my totally novice opinion) however it doesn't look like the flaps are right for you.
i've seen these models go for anywhere between $450-900 so it all depends. does it have the CAIR panels or flocked panels? that seems to make a difference in price as well.
I used to work for a certified saddle fitter and I can honestly say I don't like how the saddle fits the horse, how it fits you ESPECIALLY and I generally don't like bates to begin with haha.
On your horse, it sits weird..idk but it just looks off. If the saddle is sitting on your horse without a pad, can you easily run your hand under the saddle and over his shoulder without any pressure? If you can the saddle fits well there but seems to be too wide at the withers. If you can't, the saddle is too narrow and you need to look for a wider model. To me, the saddle looks a tad wide, but a few bumper pads would fix that.
For you, the saddle is completely wrong. I can't imagine you attaining a proper position in that...thing haha. The flaps are way to short even though your stirrups are at the right length for jumping (this is a jumping saddle by the way). The seat is also too small because you have a longer femur and therefore you must get a larger seat to accommodate for your leg. This saddle is absolutely fine for HUS but NOT FINE for you. Just based on how you fit the saddle, you NEED to pass this one up.
Plus, I really don't like bates. It's a cheaply made saddle (I'm pretty biased cause I got to work with the best made saddles in the world) and the whole CAIR system is complete bs. The reason that the best saddles are flocked with wool is because wool molds to the horse aka it breaks in! The CAIR system does not. It's like when you buy a pair of new riding boots, you want to break them in asap cause they hurt like crazy! If your boots NEVER broke in, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be a happy camper. Same with wool flocking and the CAIR system, CAIR never breaks in.
In regards to getting an A/P or CC, do you do a lot of jumping or mostly flatting? CC saddles are mostly used for jumping, but do just fine while on the flat. I love my CC and do excellent when doing HUS. Just my opinion tho! Gorgeous horse btw. Posted via Mobile Device
On your horse, it sits weird..idk but it just looks off. If the saddle is sitting on your horse without a pad, can you easily run your hand under the saddle and over his shoulder without any pressure? If you can the saddle fits well there but seems to be too wide at the withers. If you can't, the saddle is too narrow and you need to look for a wider model. To me, the saddle looks a tad wide, but a few bumper pads would fix that.Posted via Mobile Device
Exactly. Running your hand under the saddle at his shoulders will help you feel for pressure and see if its to tight. When the saddle is on your horse without a pad, you should be able to see light from the back and front. Meaning if you were looking through the cantle of the saddle to the pommel, you should see light through it and reverse. Also be able to fit 3 fingers in the tree with and without a pad. You don't want to have to over pad.
A few people also said it looked a tad small. It does, sadly. The seat is a little small for you which would make the flaps a little short too just being a small saddle (i think). But its a nice looking saddle! Especially for jumping.
The good thing about a wool flocked saddle is it can be reflocked or have added wool to raise it up or reshape it when it gets older. You will find however that most CC saddles, saddles used primarily in Hunter/Jumpers are stuffed with foam and cannot be reflocked. Its a bummer, but extremely common. A majority of CC saddles are foam.
I'm looking for a close contact. I think it is a close contact but I'm thinking it is a jumping. I asked the girl selling it and she said it is just a close contact... ?
CC saddles can be used for Jumping. Most hunters I have known have CC saddles. Maybe thats where the wires are crossed. Some people look at CC saddles and jumping as the same. But I would ask the girl selling it for sure!!
Ugh! (thanks for the compliment on Ri by the way). I haven't even started jumping him and may not. He's only just now turned 5 so to answer your question, I do mostly flat. That saddle has the wide gullet in it. The medium wide was too narrow for his shoulders.
Do you suggest anything (brand wise) in particular?
Ok. How about a third or fourth totally different opinion? Isn't the itnernet wonderful!
I see a fairly nicely fitting saddle, at least from what I can see from the front/angle view. it also seems to sit correctly from the side, neither too high nor too low in front.
Howver, I agree that this saddle is maybe a bit too small for you. You do have a nice, long femur, so the flap is abit short, IF you lower your leg where it wants to be. the seat is also one size too short for you.
What size is it? You will have a very sore PeePee if you ride in a saddle too small for you for any length of time.
Your horse is also swishing his tail in all of those shots. This may or may not be normal behavior for him, But can be a sign of irritation.
I think the tale swishing was because of the flies. They have been horrible and he doesn't really have a tail so his swishing is REALLY animated! The saddle is actually a 17. So I geuss I'm a fatty!!! LOL. That makes me want to cry too!
I think the tale swishing was because of the flies. They have been horrible and he doesn't really have a tail so his swishing is REALLY animated! The saddle is actually a 17. So I geuss I'm a fatty!!! LOL. That makes me want to cry too!
If you didn't know that it is a jumping saddle what kind of saddle are you looking for? I have a 17.5 Shleese dressage saddle with adjustable tree and wool flocking for sale
Yep, definitely a jumping saddle with very forward flaps. Are you looking for a jumping saddle? I think if you let your leg out any longer than that, it would look very strange. I think the seat might be a touch too small for you.
I'm looking for a close contact. I think it is a close contact but I'm thinking it is a jumping. I asked the girl selling it and she said it is just a close contact?
This is going to be the 3rd saddle I buy for Riley so I really need it to fit, that's why I posted it here for critique. It's looking like I'm going back to the drawing board. I'm really at a loss. I had an HDR, then a Toullouse. When I took him to the tack trailer we tried a Butet, a Toullouse Genisis, a wide HDR, a no-name brand and something else. Nothing fit.
Is there any way you can have a saddle fitter come out and either test out a bunch of saddles of have him take a look at your horse's back and hear what he has to say?
I've done that. They said he has a long wither and a wide shoulder and then they tried a ton of saddles. They said they have a stubben guy that can come and have a saddle made for him but that is not an option for me right now so what I need is to find something that will work for us.
Is there any saddles out there that are extra wide? Then maybe you can supplement with correction pads to fit better. As far as having a long whither, does that mean the saddle has to be placed farther back or needs a wide gullet clearing?
Loveeee stubben.
The saddle flaps are made longer on some of their CC saddles and fit people with longer femurs. I have a stubben (and a longer femur) and I love it. Fits me and robbie super, perfect for hacking and jumping and really comfortable. However, a tad more expensive.
I also really like Amerigo. Posted via Mobile Device
It's still going to fit the same in regards to you. Your leg isn't going to sit properly as the seat is probably still too small. You need about an 18' seat for the saddle to properly fit YOU. Posted via Mobile Device
needing more than a 17 inch does not make you a fatty. It is the length of your femur that dictates this. I'd kill to be a thin as you! (well, not kill . .. )
I've never been accused of having a long femur... are anything long before... I'm so stressed! I'll never be able to sleep tonight!
I texted the girl and told her I don't think the saddle is going to work. I'm going to have to bring it back to her this week I geuss....
My saddle will end up selling on ebay and husband will spend the money I get on bills... I'll never have the money to buy another saddle again. Oh whoa as me! (I'm sad now.)
I have a fat butt, a long femur, a funky shaped horse and and ... sniff...
Honestly, your leg is right where it's supposed to be. And because of that, you need a bigger seat to accommodate for your longer femur. Seat size has nothing to do with how "fat" you are, trust me. I have a longer femur and had to go with a larger seat for my saddle. I was upset cause I thought seat size was how big my behind was. However, my leg has never been in a better position because of the extra room I have in the seat!
Long femurs are actually a desirable trait to have as a rider, they give you a better angle to work with in regards to your leg position. There is absolutely nothing wrong or weird with you I swear! Saddles are tricky and we are just trying to explain why theses saddles won't work for you! Posted via Mobile Device
well. I'm still whiny and want to go hide in the pantry and eat a ho-ho right now but instead I shall go to bed but please keep posting because I really am taking this in. As I said, this will be the third saddle I buy for him and I really don't want to buy another.
Pistol was three when I got him and he is now 27, I've never had a saddle fitting issue with my sweet pea but now this young whipper snapper comes along and my butt spreads with age... and and and... off to bed!
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