AP Saddles - What are they? AP Saddles for Sale!
AP Saddles – What Are They?
In this article we will discuss all about AP All Purpose Saddles, the brands who make them and why they are so popular.
As an everyday pleasure riders, you may be daunted by seeing all the gizmos and gadgets favoured by the elites of the sport. You might be the kind of rider who dabbles in a bit of everything but wants a saddle to perform just as well out jumping as it does in dressage clinics. What about on a hack? You need something comfortable and functional for every type of training.
The Saddle Bank knows that not every customer wants or needs a high-tech dressage saddle or ultra-streamlined forward-cut eventing saddle, sometimes you just need a saddle to be able to do it all! Enter: the All Purpose saddle! “All Purpose” is the name given to what most equestrians will know as “general purpose” saddles by brands such as Bates and Wintec. If you have never heard of an AP saddle and feel it might be a good fit for you and your horse, we have picked out some key information for you to be able to make an informed decision.
If you are still a bit confused about which saddle or any saddle related product is best for you why not get in touch with our friendly customer support team. Via phone on 01733 301 488 or email info@thesaddlebank.com. Our lovely team are always happy to help as much as they can and provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for you and your horse.
What Should All Purpose Saddles Be Used For?
As we mentioned earlier, generally All Purpose saddles are for “a bit of everything” riders and horses. You may not have a specific discipline in mind when riding, or you might compete unaffiliated in a variety of shows and lower-level competitions – a bit of dressage, a bit of local or fun showing, schooling, maybe the occasional jump. Perhaps you do a lot of combined training, which more and more clinic venues and riding clubs are now starting to offer.
Some of The Saddle Bank customers like a decent saddle for hacking to keep their leg in a comfortable and proper position (as a dressage saddle might), while also being supportive enough in the knee roll to jump, should they spot a perfectly positioned log (it would be rude not to, right?). All Purpose saddles are the perfect all-rounder, and can be used for flatwork, pole work, low-level jumping, hacking, riding club activities, and dressage. Nearly any discipline you can think of can be done from an AP saddle. When riders begin to go up the levels in competition or schooling, or affiliate, they may find greater technical ability in a more specialist saddle for their discipline.
What Are Some Features Of An AP Saddle?
All Purpose saddles have a good blend of dressage and jumping features. For example, an AP saddle will appear a lot straighter than a jump saddle, but wouldn’t be as straight as a dressage saddle, so you can still comfortably ride with shorter stirrups for jumping or cross country.
All Purpose saddles normally have knee blocks, which aid your leg in keeping the correct position, and can help you feel secure. You would not tend to find a calf block on an All Purpose saddle as this is a feature mostly for jumping saddles and are added to help to prevent the rider’s leg from sliding too far back over a jump. The semi-deep seat design of an all-purpose saddle again helps to keep the rider in a comfortable and correct position, but equally helps the rider to lift out of the saddle over a jump. Nearly every model of All Purpose saddle is dual flap.
There aren’t many monoflap All Purpose cut saddles available on the market, as the intended demographic for monoflap saddles (more for high-level riding and specialist for each discipline) and All Purpose saddles (intended for every-day riding) does not generally overlap. Most All Purpose saddles are available with a round cantle, but a few manufacturers do offer squared cantles which allow slightly more space in the seat, and can be more comfortable to jump in. Comparatively, a round cantle can make you feel like you are sitting deeper or more securely as it comes up slightly higher at the back.
Which AP Saddle Is Best For You?
The Saddle Bank have compiled information about different All Purpose saddles so you can find one that suits you best:
Bates
For Bates, the comfort of the horse is absolutely paramount, and this is clear to see in every saddle they design. The Bates saddles have been designing and manufacturing superb quality saddles for nearly 90 years and have been at the forefront of saddle innovation. Bates are constantly striving to develop their models with the help of some of the best minds in the industry. Bates saddles are available in three main types of leather: Opulence, Luxe, and Heritage.
Heritage leather is made using traditional methods on the finest European leather to give a classic, rustic feeling to the saddle. Opulence leather on the other hand is still made from high quality European leather, as all Bates saddles are, but is soft milled to give it an ultra-supple yet grippy feeling. Lastly, Luxe leather boasts the most meticulous and careful processes by which it is made from the finest calf leather – this saddle will be ultra-comfortable from day one.
Though the All Purpose saddles aren’t intended for high-performance, elite levels of competition, Bates have still put every bit of research and development in to making several spectacular AP models, including specialist ‘pony’ and ‘wide’ models. Horses of every shape and size deserve a well-fitted, decent quality saddle.
Here are some of the Bates All Purpose models:
- All Purpose
- High Wither All Purpose Square Cantle
- All Purpose VSD (VSD comes from the German “Vielseitigkeitssättel dresser”. Which translates to mean Versatility Saddle Dressage. VSD saddles will be slightly more ‘dressage’ cut than jumping.)
- All Purpose Square Cantle
- WIDE All Purpose
- Pony All Purpose
Wintec
Wintec are the world’s leading synthetic saddle brand. Which is perfect for riders looking for a saddle which is more cost-effective, easier to care for than leather. Or simply looking for a non-leather option. Some Wintec saddle models do have suede features where appropriate for comfort or durability. Wintec take a lot of pride in their HART or “Horse and Rider Technology” system. It is especially dedicated to perfecting riders’ positions. Whilst maintaining horse comfort and all the advancements from their research and development team.
HART saddles feature a CAIR cushion system, Elastiflex Tree, and EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution. HART features mean that these saddles are able to be adjusted in both the tree and in the panel. Wintec have two main ranges: 500, and 2000. Both feature much of the same quality, super-soft deep seats, and durable materials. Wintec describe the 2000's as being their top-of-the-range saddles. Wintec All Purpose saddles have many varieties, including high-wither, pony, wide, and square cantle. Here are some of their new and improved models:
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2000 Range
- All Purpose
- High Wither Square Cantle All Purpose
- Square Cantle All Purpose
- Wide All Purpose
- Pony All Purpose
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500 Range;
- Wide All Purpose
- Square Cantle All Purpose
- All Purpose
- Pony All Purpose
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WintecLite All Purpose
Arena
Some equestrians might not know but Bates, Wintec, and Arena saddles are all part of the same overarching Saddlery Brands International family. Arena saddles provide a happy medium between the cost-efficiency of Wintec and the superb quality of Bates saddles. They have three fabulous models of General Purpose Saddle: Standard, High Wither, Cob, and Pony. Which are available to suit most types of horses in everyday riding.
Arena take a lot of pride in their saddles. Each model is subject to scrupulous attention to detail. Ensuring you have a stylish saddle durable enough for use every day. The Arena GP saddles also benefit from the same HART system seen in Wintec saddles. These smart, neat saddles are perfect for the everyday rider . The design of saddles with specialist conformation in mind (High Wither and Cob). Meaning that most horses will be able to fit in to these saddles. With the help of a qualified saddle fitter. With Arena, as well as Bates and Wintec, you have the option of using the easy-change riser system. These really prove themselves to be infinitely helpful when fitting a saddle to the benefit of both horse and rider.
Shop Arena All Purpose Saddles here.
Where Can I Buy An All Purpose Saddle?
Right here, of course! All of the brands we have mentioned are available from us at The Saddle Bank. We have a great selection of All Purpose saddles ready to go.
We offer a wide range of saddles here at The Saddle Bank (we have over 1200 in stock in fact!) in either second hand, new or ex demo!
Our super friendly team are here to offer you the best expert advice for you and your horse. Check out our ranges by clicking on the links below:
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Learn more about Saddle Fitting
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