If your horse hates CAIR - tell me your stories, please!

[Risk-Averse Rider]

I have a Wintec Pro Jumping saddle with CAIR on its way for a trial. Seems that people either really like CAIR or really don't. I've seen several posters say that their horses "hated" the CAIR panels.

Please tell me more about your experiences.

Thanks.

[dani0303]

I have a Bates Caprilli saddle with the CAIR that *most* of my 11 horses I ride like. There is one (he's a funky fit) that doesn't like it but I'm not sure if it's the CAIR or the general fit of the saddle that he doesn't like.

Overall I like the CAIR system. It works for me, but it doesn't work for everybody. Get whatever works best for you.

[saultgirl]

I always wonder when I hear this, because I doubt all these folks have ridden in the same saddle with and without CAIR, (where the CAIR was the ONLY difference) enough to claim their horse "hates CAIR".

I have a Bates Innova with CAIR which I love. I have a Collegiate without CAIR that I also love, and I had a Wintec close contact (with CAIR) which was a good saddle for the dollar.

[luckeys71]

I don't know what my horse thinks about it, but I definitely feel like my Bates Elevation H saddle has more bounce to it than the regular stuffed saddles I have ridden my horse in. Removing the removable knee blocks has helped some, making my leg feel more stable, but she still doesn't feel as smooth to sit on as in the stuffed panel saddles. The saddle is very pretty to look at and very comfortable, otherwise. I like that the panels are supposed to change to fit the horse's back and that I can change the gullet plate and change the width of the saddle. I have the wide in now, but with all the grass, I think it is time to change to the extra wide! I bought it when my horse was 3 and now she's 5, so the the air panels and changable width sounded like a good plan to me.

[Risk-Averse Rider]

I must say, this is encouraging :yes:

[monstrpony]

Bounce isn't necessarily a bad thing. If your horse is using his back for the first time, because the saddle is *more* comfortable, then, yeah, he's going to feel "less smooth".

That said, I use CAIR on a pair of quarter horses, not known for scopey gaits. I do feel that their backs are softer and that they use them better in CAIR saddles. Never had any trouble with the CAIR system.

[LittleblackMorgan]

I have a 500 AP with Cair. My boy seems to like it. I never had any issues with it all all.
I have also used an Isabell Werth on him with Cair, and he moves quite well in it.


For me...My gripes-
the 500 pitches you forward. I pulled out the knee blocks and it helped a little. Its pretty deep seated, more straight in the flap area. And it squeaks.

[Risk-Averse Rider]

And it squeaks.I remember being in the warmup at some show, and someone had an apparently new Wintec of some kind with synthetic leathers.

EER-er-EER-er-EER-er-EER-er-EER-er-EER-er-EER-er-EER-er-EER-er
:lol::lol::lol::lol:

[monstrpony]

EER-er-EER-er-EER-er-EER-er-EER-er-EER-er-EER-er-EER-er-EER-er
:lol::lol::lol::lol:

Baby powder

[Nezzy]

my horse actually seemed to improve when i got my wintec 2000 with Cair and he never has any problems, ears are never back. he seems pretty comfy and happy to me, and i like the saddle, as well.

[Jaegermonster]

I have a Bates Caprilli that had the CAIR panels. $800 worth of chiro later, it now has wool.
Here is the thread I posted about it, with pictures of the panels that were removed from the saddle. I thought the cellophane tape holding the two halves together on either side of the saddle was really quality workmanship. NOT.


http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=195803&highlight=CAIR

[arabhorse2]

My horses don't have any complaints of which I'm aware. ;)

Both of them are easy to tack; no pinned ears, no wild looks, nothing. I'd imagine if the saddle hurt them somewhere, they'd not be too happy. Especially Casper, who's my diva.

My CAIR panels seem to be working just fine. In fact, my trainer said she was going to buy a 2000 AP at some point because she really likes the way it fits, and how it feels.

The only time I get the *eeeek*eeeek*eeeek sound is when I wear my tall boots. The leather rubs on the smooth part of the flap, and I get that sound. With sueded half chaps over regular boots, no nails-on-chalkboard squeaking. :D

[LuvMyTB]

I think my mare was happy with CAIR--I have a Wintec close contact.

My opinion--definitely bouncier than wool-flocked saddles, which will destroy your sitting trot for a short while. The seat is hard as wood. The material stiffens up in the cold. And the stirrup leathers are a b!tch to put on the saddle. I maimed my knuckles trying to do it the first time.

Overall though, like someone else said--good saddle for the dollar.

[LovelyBay]

My horse loves my new wintec 2000 AP saddle with CAIR. Too bad the saddle doesn't seem to fit me as well.
ANd yes it squeaks so bad!!!! I'd try baby powder but then my black saddle would turn white!

[breakthru]

I've got the cheapo wintec dressage with CAIR panels - I use it on a bunch of warmbloods and no complaints so far. Also used it on my sharkfin withered old-TB (changed gullet from extra wide to extra narrow) and no complaints there either.

One downside is that, unlike wool-flocked saddles, you can't really adjust the balance without the aid of a wither or cantle riser pad, however, since you're sitting on air, and it will just squish right to the highest part and let you sink to the lowest part. Then if you use a riser you loose alot of the closeness of contact between the airy panels which are less close contact connect-y to begin with, and then another pad underneat that... But if you're on a tight budget and need a saddle to fit many horses I think it's the best thing you could hope for, really. I've only got a couple horses that I've got to use the riser pad with, and they do OK then.

So all in all, for the money, not a bad buy depending on your situation. If you just had one horse, I'd try to find a nice used saddle and get it fitted to your horse.

[Hampton Bay]

Actually, you can flock the saddle to adjust the balance, just like you would do with a wool saddle. There are flocking slits, and you can take the gullet out and there is velcro in there. I have made some minor adjustments to mine.

My mare ADORES the CAIR system. So much so that I really wish I could get the CAIR system in a pad for her, as the Bates dressage saddles do not fit ME. But my jumping saddle rocks.

[pines4equines]

I had a lot of trouble with the panels deflating in my Bates Caprilli. I loved the saddle as it made me have almost perfect equitation however my horse hated it. Chiro, massage, etc. He had all sorts of problems when I rode with that. I had the saddle reflocked with wool and it still wasn't right for him.

I did have it fit through a reputable saddle shop when I bought it. The first time the panels deflated, Bates sent me a brand new saddle. When the saddle arrived at the saddle shop, I trailered the horse over for fit. However, when the panels deflated a second time. I just had it reflocked with wool with Smith & Worthington. Again, that saddle just never fit that horse. I no longer use it.

[Risk-Averse Rider]

I had a lot of trouble with the panels deflating in my Bates Caprilli. I loved the saddle as it made me have almost perfect equitation however my horse hated it. Chiro, massage, etc. He had all sorts of problems when I rode with that. I had the saddle reflocked with wool and it still wasn't right for him.

I did have it fit through a reputable saddle shop when I bought it. The first time the panels deflated, Bates sent me a brand new saddle. When the saddle arrived at the saddle shop, I trailered the horse over for fit. However, when the panels deflated a second time. I just had it reflocked with wool with Smith & Worthington. Again, that saddle just never fit that horse. I no longer use it.Boy, you really had back luck with your saddles! Did Bates offer any reason for the deflation?

[besttwtbever]

I can't say enough good things about my caprilli close contact by bates. My horse loves it. I love it. The leather is amazing!

I bought the saddle about 9? years ago. It was shortly after they had just come out with the bates with CAIR panels. I have had it ever since and it's never had any major problems and my horse has never been off because of it.

I have to admit I am terrible at cleaning my saddle on a regular basis (once a year if it's lucky :D I don't show right now as I am in college) and the leather is still in great condition. It is also super comfortable! In the summer I ride around 5 or 6 horses a day and 1-2 a day in the winter and it has held up wonderfully.

Hope it works out well for you!!