How old is my Bates Saddle?
Here at The Saddle Bank, we are often asked by Bates saddle owners, 'How old is my Bates saddle'. It is something which is really worth knowing when looking to sell your Bates saddle or to purchase a Bates saddle. It is easy to identify the age and will help you understand why saddles are priced as they are. For example a newer saddle in better condition, will be more expensive than an older Bates saddle. In this article, we will advise where you can find the serial number on your Bates Saddle and decode it so you know what it means and what to look for in your next Bates saddle.
If you have any further saddle relation questions please get in touch with our super helpful friendly team on 01733 301488 or email [email protected]
Where to find your Bates Serial Number
On Bates saddles the serial numbers are super easy to find, especially once you know where to look!
So where can you find your Bates saddle serial number? (this also works on Arena saddles and the current models of Wintec saddles),
The serial number on your Bates, Wintec or Arena saddle can be found on the underside of the left flap on the side that touches your horse/pony.
All you need to do is turn your saddle upside down so you are seeing the underside of the flaps and panels and are looking at the parts of your saddle that make contact with your horse, and on the left hand side flap as you are looking at your upside down saddle you will see your serial number, it really is that easy. No trying to find it under girth straps or worrying that it might have been worn away!
So now you have found the serial number, but what does it mean?
Step 1: Decoding your Bates Saddle serial number
We are going to break the Bates serial number down and explain what each part of it means;
At the start of the serial number is a letter, on Bates it is a B, and yes that is for Bates!
If this was a serial number on an Arena it would be A and a Wintec would be W so this is a brand indicator.
Step 2: Year and month of manufacture
The next part as highlighted on the image below is four digits which tell us the year and month of manufacture.
The serial number pictures show us this saddle was manufactured in January 2020, so the 20 is the year and the 01 is the month.
So for example, if your saddle has a serial number starting 0603 then this would have been manufactured in March 2006.
Step 3: Unique saddle number
The next part of the serial number as highlighted in the image below shows the saddles ID number, this can range from 3-4 digits long, depending on how many saddles have been made in that time period.
Step 4: Seat size
Did you know your serial number can even tell you your saddles seat size! On the image below, the highlighted parts show not only the seat size as inches but also as the 1 at the end of the serial.
The plus at the end of the serial shows this is either a Opulence leather or Luxe leather saddle, if it is a Luxe saddle there will also be a Luxe stamp further along.
Two Bates Dressage saddle models have their seat sizes classified differently to all other Bates saddles, these are the Artiste and the Innova. Instead of being a 17 inch seat size they come in sizes;
- 0 (16.5-17 inch)
- 1 (17-17.5 inch)
- 2 (17.5-18 inch)
So on the serial below we can see this is a size 1 which is 17-17.5 inch seat size.
For reference most riders who ride in a 17.5 inch seat ride in a size 1 in these two models.
However if your Bates saddle isn't an Innova or Artiste, what are the two numbers at the end of your serial number?
As pictured below on all other Bates models the serial number still shows you your saddle's seat size but it is in fact shown in cm, not inches.
The serial number pictures below shows this saddle as a 43 cm seat, which translates into a 17inch seat.
Bates Saddle Seat Sizes
Bates is an Australian brand of saddle which is popular across the world. Although they do offer inch seat sizes, they are measured in centimetres. Below is a handy list to show you the conversions of cm to inch seat sizes in Bates Saddles;
- 38cm = 15inch
- 40cm - 16 inch
- 42cm = 16.5 inch
- 43cm - 17 inch
- 44cm = 17.5 inch
- 46cm = 18 inch
Serial number extras
Sometimes there might be some extra letters at the end of your saddle's serial number we can help you decode these as well!
If you have a Bates Elevation Jump saddle you may well have a DS at the end of your serial number, this stands for Deep Seat, the Elevation has two seat options standard (flat seat) or the Deep Seat which is similar in comparison to a GP seat. So if you have an Elevation with DS at the end it signifies that you have the Deep Seat model.
Older Innova Dual Flap Dressage saddles have either an E or an S after the seat size on their serial number.
The S stands for Standard Contourbloc, the E stands for Extended Contourbloc.
If you are looking for your next Bates saddle or maybe have one you are looking to sell you current Bates saddle get in touch with our super team 01733 301488.
