Bates Wide Dressage + Luxe Adjustable Performance Saddle CAIR Black 16.5'-18'

The Bates WIDE Dressage saddle is a cutting edge dressage saddle specially designed for the wider horse. The performance driven deep seat delivers an unsurpassed level of comfort for you and contact with your horse never previously experienced in a WIDE saddle. The deeper seat and ultra-narrow waist enables you to sit deeper into the saddle to support a well-balanced and central position. For your horse, an ultra-thin panel, wide chamber, large, even bearing surface and adjustable Y-girthing ensure optimal saddle stability and freedom of movement for a comfortable fit.

What our fitters think: 'The Bates WIDE dressage really opens so may doors and give us a fantastic option for wider fitting dressage saddle when the market is still quite limited in these. Great if your horse is a 'plus size' or XW and above in fitting as these range up to an impressive 4XW!'

Luxe Leather
Luxe Leather is hand-selected from the finest calf leather in the world and meticulously cared for throughout its specialised tanning process to guarantee exceptional performance in strength, richness of colour, ultra-soft feel and level of grip to meet the unique depends on an equestrian saddle.

EASY-CHANGE® Fit Solution
The EASY-CHANGE® Fit Solution is a customisable saddle fitting system designed to grow with your horse. It combines adjustable gullet bars (WIDE models take size XW-4XW) with a riser system that allows your saddle fitter to fine-tune the saddle’s fit. This means your saddle can adapt as your horse’s shape changes or even be adjusted for a completely new horse—no permanent changes required!

CAIR® Cushion System
The CAIR® Cushion System replaces traditional flocking with air-filled panels to ensure your horse’s ultimate comfort. These sealed panels work by evenly distributing the rider’s weight across your horse’s back, helping to eliminate pressure points and allowing the panels to move and mould with your horse’s working muscles. This means your horse can enjoy complete freedom of movement, improved blood flow, and support for muscle development.

Available in Black in 16.5', 17', 17.5' or 18'

Your horse will show a marked improvement in their freedom of movement, as world leading performance systems the EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution and CAIR Cushion System maximise your horse’s comfort and freedom of movement. Your horse will enjoy unsurpassed adaptability for an optimal fit, even weight distribution, a fluid cushioning and the ultimate impact absorption.

Bates WIDE saddles are sold as standard fitted with a 2XW Lilac Easy Change Gullet. All other gullet sizes from 1XW to 4XW are available on our separate listing and are sold separately.

We strongly recommend fitting these saddles under the guidance of a Bates trained saddler. Please see the Bates site for a full list of approved saddlers in your area.

When trying on your saddle please ensure you use a clean saddlecloth and do not remove any tags. Saddles which have had the tags removed, been sat on, girthed up, ridden on or show any signs of use cannot be returned.

Saddle Fitting Information

After your initial saddle fit, we recommend that you have the fit of your saddle checked within the first three months, as it will settle in the head during the initial riding period, as is standard with all new saddles. Following this initial settling in period, your saddle fit should then be assessed every six months throughout your saddle’s life to ensure the saddle continues to fit correctly, as your horse changes shape according to its age, level of fitness and work program. It is always recommended that you seek ongoing professional advice on your horse’s saddle fit, where possible. However the following information can assist you in not only assessing your horse’s saddle fit, but understanding when simple adjustments should be made.

In order to check the clearance, bearing and balance of a saddle, it is important that the saddle is positioned correctly. All fitting adjustments and saddle alterations should be made in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations.

Ensure your horse is standing square and is on level ground. Locate your horse’s shoulder and check to see that the nail of the saddle is approximately three fingers distance from the edge of your horse’s shoulder.

Checking for sufficient clearance

Sufficient clearance of your horse’s wither, across the width and length of the spine, should be maintained at all times. Check to see that the channel of the saddle is clear of your horse’s wither and spine through the length of the saddle.

Checking for even bearing

Your saddle should bear evenly on your horse’s back, providing a close fit. Run your hand between your horse and the panel of your saddle to check for even bearing. If your saddle features the CAIR Cushion System, it is important that a rider sits in the saddle to check the bearing, as the air becomes dynamic under the rider’s weight.

Checking for a balanced seat

Check that the deepest part of the saddle seat is central and level to ensure perfect saddle balance. Should your saddle require further adjustments select the optimal combination of EASY-CHANGE Risers to achieve sufficient clearance, even bearing and perfect balance.

NB. The innovative systems in our saddles offer unsurpassed flexibility in achieving an optimal fit, however, no one saddle can claim to fit any horse. It is always recommended you seek ongoing professional advice on the fit and in meeting the unique needs of each horse/rider combination.

We are one of the largest independent retailers of Bates in the UK and a verified premium stockist giving us access to the entire range. Our sales advisors all use these products on a daily basis so are able to offer you expert advice. If you need any assistance in selecting the right item for you or your horse please don't hesitate to contact us.