Quality Assurance

Bates Australia guarantee the Bates range of saddles for a period of one year against faulty materials or workmanship. Further, the Elastiflex tree is guaranteed against breakage for the lifetime of the saddle and the CAIR air panels are guaranteed for 5 years. The warranty on a Bates saddle and its components is subject to use under normal conditions. Saddles which require repair under warranty should be returned to the store from which they were purchased.

Bates Australia use leathers that are pure aniline dyed as opposed to pigment dyed. Aniline is used on only the highest quality hides as it does not cover the natural markings of the leather nor close the leathers natural pores. The pure aniline finish gives you an appreciation for the depth of leather and the individual characteristics and markings in a hide not visible on a painted pigment surface.

The leather used in the seats and panel of all Bates leather saddles is also open grain pure aniline dyed leather, specially tanned for high sweat resistance and to be soft and supple for horse and rider comfort.

Double Grain leather incorporated by Bates in some of the specialised saddles in the range is made from hides that have been double shrunken to achieve extra softness and thickness. The open grain and increased substance of the leather allows it to cushion the rider as the top layer of grain moves against the bottom layer. The double grain surface pattern creates a grip and texture not achievable by any other leather.

All Bates leather girth points are specially made from chrome tanned heavy ox croupons that are hot stuffed with a special mixture of oil and waxes and pre-stretched for longer durability.