Product FAQs

Leather Options 

Heritage leather upholds the traditional European practices of natural oil and wax tannage. The high oil and wax content of this performance leather ensures optimum suppleness and enhanced rider grip.Characteristic of the finest natural leather, the leather is heavily pre-oiled with visible shade variations, often being referred to as a ‘pull up’ leather with a traditional, if not distressed aesthetic. The depth of colour is dependent on the infused oil content within the fibers of each particular hide. The distinctive tones of colour are particularly visible when the leather is bent as the colour lightens returning over time to its original colour as the oils migrate back through into the fibers.

Opulence
Select models feature soft milled, Opulence Leather on the exterior of the saddle, renowned for its ultra-soft and grippy characteristics, ensuring immediate rider comfort, security and reducing any ‘breaking in’ time traditionally associated with new saddles.Models featuring Opulence Leather often offer additional features such as a recessed stirrup channel for the ultimate in close contact, wear patches for added durability and key innovations in rider comfort and adjustability such as an Adjustable Ergonomic Stirrup Bar. Included features will vary by model.

Luxe
Luxe Leather is hand-selected from the finest calf-leather in the world and meticulously cared for throughout its specialised tanning process. This will guarantee exceptional performance in strength, richness of colour, ultra-soft feel and level of grip to meet the unique demands of an equestrian saddle. Leather is a natural product and as such any marks, scars or colour variations within the Luxe Leather are not a fault and add to the individual character of your new Bates Luxe Leather saddle. Your new saddle will feel exceptionally grippy, luxurious and succulent from day one, providing you with the ultimate in comfort and prestige.