Since all horses change their shape depending on maturity, type of work and level of fitness, it is of utmost importance to have a saddle that can adapt along with your horse.
The fit of your saddle on your horse when he is young, will be different to the fit required when your horse has reached maturity. Likewise, the fit of your saddle after your horse has been turned out, will be different than during the riding season when your horse is in peak condition.
Bates Australia have developed two unique features that enable your saddle to be adapted to suit your horse through these changes or be adapted to suit a different horse. They enable your saddle to achieve the best possible fit by providing the ideal clearance, the maximum bearing and the perfect balance required for your horse at all stages throughout its life.
The EASY-CHANGE Gullet System allows you to alter the width of your saddle to custom fit the shape of your horse's wither. This gullet system ensures that you can maintain clearance of the wither as your horse changes shape. A gullet that is too narrow creates pressure points at the rear of the panels on the horse's back as the rider's weight is forced backwards. It pinches the horse's wither and restricts its shoulder movement. The rider may feel as if they are always 'behind' their horse. A gullet that is too wide causes pressure on the spine leading to pain for your horse. The rider may feel they are being pushed forward by the saddle.
Making sure you have the right width gullet for your horse is very important. The EASY-CHANGE Gullet System provides you with the ability to determine whether or not the correct gullet is fitted for your horse's current shape and muscling and, if not, be able to change it yourself within a few minutes.
The CAIR® Panel System replaces the flocking in a saddle with air panels. You should notice a marked improvement in the performance of your horse because the CAIR® air panels will fluidly move and mould around the working muscle with the movement of the horse.
Traditional stuffing will ride down over time and become unevenly compacted which can cause pressure points. The CAIR® air panels in the saddle will evenly distribute your weight across the entire length of the panel virtually eliminating pressure points and, therefore, maximising the bearing area on the horse's back.
If you need to alter the balance of your saddle it is simply done through your retailer with the CAIR® Panel Insert System. Inserts are placed above the CAIR® Air Panels to increase the depth of the saddle panel where you need a little extra height, without compromising the performance of the Air panels themselves.
Incorporating these innovative systems into a traditional leather saddle delivers to you a saddle of unparalleled performance, that can be custom fitted to your horse's back achieving the best fit possible and, therefore, giving your horse the freedom to reach its maximum potential.