Bates Caprilli...opinions?

littlecelticpony · 03-17-2006, 06:24 AM

Hello, all.

I've always had a bit of a frown on my face when it came to regarding the Bates Caprilli saddles.

Mostly because of the gullet change system, I've met so many people who have been unhappy with it.
And I tend to shy away from almost anything that isn't wool-flocked.

However...the horse I'm riding now goes in one of their saddles, and I was QUITE surprised at how dang comfortable that saddle is!

So, I was wondering how many of you own/use a saddle from this line? Do you like it? What do you like/don't you like about it?

realitycheck · 03-17-2006, 06:40 AM

We had one in the barn for a while and everyone that rode in it ended up looking like they were leaning. I think it's just sitting in the tack room collecting dust now.

JBandRio · 03-17-2006, 08:56 AM

Oh Oh! I have one, LOVE it, sadly must sell it

If you're interested let me know.

I bought this when my WB was coming 4, as I knew the saddle I had was not going to fit him for long. We started in the Medium gullet it comes with and went all the way through the XW gullet, which is where I realized I had to get something wider for him. It is SO comfortable, and until he started outgrowing the XW, he loved it as well.

littlecelticpony · 03-17-2006, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBandRio

Oh Oh! I have one, LOVE it, sadly must sell it

If you're interested let me know.

I bought this when my WB was coming 4, as I knew the saddle I had was not going to fit him for long. We started in the Medium gullet it comes with and went all the way through the XW gullet, which is where I realized I had to get something wider for him. It is SO comfortable, and until he started outgrowing the XW, he loved it as well.

What size? And how much, if you don't mind me asking?

So you haven't had any lameness issues with it?

Quote:

We had one in the barn for a while and everyone that rode in it ended up looking like they were leaning. I think it's just sitting in the tack room collecting dust now.

Leaning!?

Like...leaning forward? Or backwards?

realitycheck · 03-17-2006, 11:57 AM

Yes, leaning forward and getting way over the pommel. 5 or 6 people rode in it, and they all did it. They normally don't.

It might be one of those saddles that only suits a very particular body type.

Shotgun93 · 03-17-2006, 12:37 PM

The only thing that I don't like about the gullet system is that it gives people a false sense of a good saddle fit. It just changes the gullet size, nothing else, so it still might not fit correctly.
As for the not-wool-flocked panels, I actually don't like wool flocking. It doesn't seem to hold up well or last very long. Gel panels seem to be more comfy.

JBandRio · 03-17-2006, 01:25 PM

Shotgun, absolutely, it can give a false sense of fit. But then again, if it's doing that, then the person probably doesn't have a good understanding of what makes the saddle fit, yes?

Shotgun93 · 03-17-2006, 01:37 PM

For sure. Most people have no idea what makes a good fitting saddle, and these companies advertise that their saddles will fit any horse. Drives me nuts....

love survives · 03-17-2006, 01:47 PM

I have one; I love it. Its sooo comfortable and fits my horse well. The only problem I have is that the Easy-Change system..well, its not that easy. Its not something that you can do in 15 minutes. I spent hours in the basement with it until my dad finally got it. Luckily, that was the only time I've had to change it

Other than that, I adore the saddle.

NeighNeigh · 03-17-2006, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by love survives

I have one; I love it. Its sooo comfortable and fits my horse well. The only problem I have is that the Easy-Change system..well, its not that easy. Its not something that you can do in 15 minutes. I spent hours in the basement with it until my dad finally got it. Luckily, that was the only time I've had to change it

Other than that, I adore the saddle.

OMG, you couldn't have said it better. I have a Collegiate with the Easy Change system, and as Stetson has muscled up and gained weight, I've had to change the gullet a few times...what a pain. I would not suggest this saddle for someone that wants to use it on a bunch of different horses all the time, and I agree with what's been said above, that it does not mean you don't have to check for good saddle fit in the first place.

That said, Shannond just bought a Bates, and I have to say, it's quite pretty and high quality. She just tried it yesterday on my Arab mare (in the XW gullet!) and she said it was really comfortable.

03-17-2006, 06:24 AM	#1
littlecelticpony Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Divide my time between NJ, NY, and CO. Posts: 3,987 Images: 72	Bates Caprilli...opinions? Hello, all. I've always had a bit of a frown on my face when it came to regarding the Bates Caprilli saddles. Mostly because of the gullet change system, I've met so many people who have been unhappy with it. And I tend to shy away from almost anything that isn't wool-flocked. However...the horse I'm riding now goes in one of their saddles, and I was QUITE surprised at how dang comfortable that saddle is! So, I was wondering how many of you own/use a saddle from this line? Do you like it? What do you like/don't you like about it? __________________ The one and only LCP When all is lost...all is left to gain. Do not go gentle into that good night...

03-17-2006, 08:56 AM	#3
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 23,427 Images: 143 Blog Entries: 12	Oh Oh! I have one, LOVE it, sadly must sell it If you're interested let me know. I bought this when my WB was coming 4, as I knew the saddle I had was not going to fit him for long. We started in the Medium gullet it comes with and went all the way through the XW gullet, which is where I realized I had to get something wider for him. It is SO comfortable, and until he started outgrowing the XW, he loved it as well. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - Rio feels good - he bounced an in-and-out

03-17-2006, 12:37 PM	#6
Shotgun93 Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southwest SD Posts: 13,778 Images: 132	The only thing that I don't like about the gullet system is that it gives people a false sense of a good saddle fit. It just changes the gullet size, nothing else, so it still might not fit correctly. As for the not-wool-flocked panels, I actually don't like wool flocking. It doesn't seem to hold up well or last very long. Gel panels seem to be more comfy. __________________ In the quiet light of the stable, you hear a muffled snort, the stamp of a hoof, a friendly nicker. Gentle eyes inquire, "How was your day old friend?" and suddenly, all your troubles fade away. -Author Unknown

03-17-2006, 01:25 PM	#7
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 23,427 Images: 143 Blog Entries: 12	Shotgun, absolutely, it can give a false sense of fit. But then again, if it's doing that, then the person probably doesn't have a good understanding of what makes the saddle fit, yes? __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - Rio feels good - he bounced an in-and-out

03-17-2006, 01:37 PM	#8
Shotgun93 Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southwest SD Posts: 13,778 Images: 132	For sure. Most people have no idea what makes a good fitting saddle, and these companies advertise that their saddles will fit any horse. Drives me nuts.... __________________ In the quiet light of the stable, you hear a muffled snort, the stamp of a hoof, a friendly nicker. Gentle eyes inquire, "How was your day old friend?" and suddenly, all your troubles fade away. -Author Unknown

03-17-2006, 06:40 AM	#2
realitycheck Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 300	We had one in the barn for a while and everyone that rode in it ended up looking like they were leaning. I think it's just sitting in the tack room collecting dust now.

03-17-2006, 11:57 AM	#5
realitycheck Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 300	Yes, leaning forward and getting way over the pommel. 5 or 6 people rode in it, and they all did it. They normally don't. It might be one of those saddles that only suits a very particular body type.

03-17-2006, 01:47 PM	#9
love survives Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: I live in Central Florida. New Jersey is home. Posts: 654 Images: 16	I have one; I love it. Its sooo comfortable and fits my horse well. The only problem I have is that the Easy-Change system..well, its not that easy. Its not something that you can do in 15 minutes. I spent hours in the basement with it until my dad finally got it. Luckily, that was the only time I've had to change it Other than that, I adore the saddle. __________________ If you can't fix it, you gotta stand it. -Brokeback Mountain STAY GOLD

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