Finally found a GP saddle to fit Shesky: A Bates Caprilli! And it's second hand, but still more than I wanted to pay of course Still no excuses for not jumping now so watch this space....
I did learn an expensive lesson though! I've always used the normal saddle racks and in particular the lockable ones thinking they were keeping my saddle safe... well they were, but it was damaging the flocking and i've now had to hand over my lovely Ideal saddle that is less than a year old, to the saddler for a complete re-flock
Apparently all these saddle racks are bad for flocking and we should only be using the pole type ones! Off to ebay to buy some now! Won't be doing that again!
I use a Wintec pro dressage, made by Bates, a synthetic take on the Caprilli shape and absolutely love it - fits perfectly. I tried the Caprilli as well but didn't really want leather. It's a beautiful saddle - enjoy!!! Bates all the way for me!
we had a leather bates saddle that we had flocked with sheep wool after the cair system burst but it never really fitted anyof ours and now we use the synthetic vsd wintec saddle by bates and all fit grand.
I think Shesky likes the air better than flocking as he went so beautifully on the bridle and relaxed on the longest of reins... it was an absolute joy to ride him and I didn't want to get off
yep the air system burst and it was the physio insisted we took it back as it was really hurting the ponies back. and she thought it felt odd and when the saddler opened it up one of the air pockets had burst and he flocked it but we should have had a new saddle as he didn't put enough flocking in it and was never right after it.
We have a couple of Bates - one a VSD and the other is the Caprilli - both great saddles, and so easy to change out the gullet if required. In fact my sister is currently looking for another one because we like them so much (very comfortable). Don't like the sound of the bursting CAIR though, but thankfully haven't had any experience of that. Enjoy your new one Pasha!
Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta) Linda East Sussex
Air bags in saddles were first introduced by the military many years ago and in one of the African campaigns they had major problems with bursting and leaking bags - so they were kicked out until many years later Flair picked up the idea and we are now coming full-circle
Just a tip - I use the standard saddle-rack but have covered it with the grey foam pipe lagging that's open all down one side and that stops your saddle sitting directly on the rack. You can buy it really cheaply in metre lengths from hardware shops.
Caryn
Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud) aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips" The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
Yay a GP saddle that fits & lesson learnt!
England
Posted - 10 Aug 2011 : 11:08:06 AM
Still no excuses for not jumping now so watch this space....
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Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
