Bates Kimberley Half Breed Saddle

Regular price: $4,995.00
Regular price
Sale price: $4,995.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Fender Standard Short

Color: Classic Black

Size 16.5"/42cm 17"/43cm 17.5"/44cm

Size or colour not available? We keep a limited range of saddles in stock — contact us and we’ll let you know the lead time to order it in for you.

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Rug Fill / Weight Guide

The thermoneutral zone is the temperature range where the body can maintain its core temperature with little to no extra energy expenditure. For humans, this range is quite narrow at 21–28 °C, but for horses it’s much broader at 5–25 °C.

This difference means we should avoid rugging horses based on how cold we feel. Over-rugging can lead to serious health issues, including metabolic problems and thermoregulatory dysfunction.

Tips for Choosing a Winter Rug Weight

Clipped horses may need a heavier gram fill to stay comfortable.
Remember: horses warm themselves more easily than they cool down under a rug. If unsure, choose a lighter rug.
Check your horse regularly to make sure they are neither too hot nor too cold.
Consider your horse’s age and natural ability to stay warm.
As a general guide, rugging is usually appropriate when temperatures drop below 5–10 °C, but always adjust for your horse’s individual needs.
Always ensure rugs are waterproof. A wet rug is worse than no rug at all.

This is an indicative guide only. Always take into account factors such as wind chill, your horse’s age, weight, and condition.

Please contact us to confirm availability in your required size and colour before purchasing. We will inquire as to current stock availability with our supplier and provide you with an estimated lead time.

A new era in stock saddles has arrived, promising comfort your horse will immediately respond to. Experience unbeatable close-contact all-day comfort, exceptional connection, and unsurpassed stability, unlocked with the ability to fine-tune your saddle fit. Your horse will appreciate the generous soft panel with an exceptionally large footprint to disperse pressure and a wide, even chamber to protect their spine. Enjoy riding with relaxed confidence thanks to the support of the poley pads on your thigh secure seat, and a fender that contours around your leg. Whether you have a stock, western, or English riding background, you'll feel at home in the Bates Kimberley HB.

Close-contact felt panel and wide chamber

With an exceptionally large footprint on your horse’s back, the panel is able to reduce the overall pressure for your horse. Shaped to gradually taper pressure on to and away from your horse’s muscles to maximise the space around their withers and shoulder. Dynamic air cushioning ensures your horse has full range of their natural movement and the low profile design helps to stabilise the saddle and position you for close and harmonious contact.

The wide chamber ensures space around your horse’s sensitive spinous processes and helps ensure clearance at all times.

Adjustable Y-Girthing system

Achieving an equal distribution of pressure along the length of the tree delivers tremendous stability, reducing any tendency for the rear of the saddle to lift. When adjusted for your horse, this girthing system results in an incredible reduction of white noise for the horse and accentuates clear communication between horse and rider.

Fenders that curve easily

Enjoy the close contact feeling of fenders that move seamlessly with you. The fenders can be easily sculpted to shape around your leg, allowing you to catch
your oxbows effortlessly.

Poley pads

Poley pads are positioned to provide greater security than the stock model, however you will notice the support is surprisingly gentle, but effective in riding with luxurious cushioning.

Seat

Stands alone for instantaneous soft, all day comfort. With a balanced seat, you are able to find your home position in the saddle whether you have a traditional stock background, or an English riding background. Super close contact, you will notice you have exceptional connection, which makes for relaxed and confident riding.

HART: Cair Cushion System + EasyChange Gullet and Riser Systems

The Technology

The technology that makes up HART has been proven to be transformative for both horse and rider. Only if a saddle has all of these features, is it worthy of the HART badge.

Elastiflex Tree

Imagine the comfort of a tree with the ability to flex and move with your every stride. Your horse’s spine is protected from concussive forces, whilst lateral flexion enables your horse’s back to swing and move uninhibited and naturally. It is exceptionally lightweight, symmetrical and strong over time, protecting it from breakage or warping. You’re in safe hands in a saddle with HART

CAIR Cushion System

Trust in simply the best protection you can offer your horse. Super soft air cushions lie in constant contact with your horse’s moving back muscles, for their total comfort from an even and lower pressure combined with the ultimate in shock absorption. With CAIR, your horse will respond through freedom of movement you can feel. You’re in safe hands in a saddle with HART.

EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution

When your horse is your world, we understand your need for total reassurance of a perfect fit solution now and in the future. Relax with confidence in full adjustability to both the tree and panel. With the greatest scope of customization in your hands that is measurable, symmetrical and completely reversible, you know you are giving your horse your absolute best with the EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution. You’re in safe hands with HART.

Performance Panel Technology

Look beneath your saddle and see the thoughtful design that is key for your horse to move naturally. Each individual saddle has a generous footprint with edges that gradually taper for a seamless and gentle transition of weight. Careful tailoring ensures maximum clearance for your horse’s spine with provision for lift adjustments where needed for perfect balance and stability in riding. You’re in safe hands in a saddle with HART

Comfort Seat Technology

It is a comfort we hope you will never notice, designed to help you feel naturally balanced and connected in the moment with your horse. Perfect balance starts with a seat anatomically sculpted from exacting multilayers of foams to support your optimal position. Feel the difference of closer and seamless contact, elevated by complementary technologies including an ergonomic stirrup bar and knee blocks positioned specifically to you. You’re in safe hands in a saddle with HART

Approved Saddle Fitters

Finding the perfect saddle fit is essential for your horse’s comfort and performance. NZ Tack Saddlery Co works closely with a nationwide network of approved saddle fitters trained to fit Bates, Collegiate, and Wintec saddles. These professional fitters are experienced in assessing conformation, rider needs, and saddle technology to ensure the best fit possible.

Whether you’re in Auckland, Christchurch, Canterbury, Wellington, Waikato, or anywhere in New Zealand, you can trust our listed saddle fitters to provide expert fitting and adjustments.

Why Choose an Approved Saddle Fitter?

✅ Trained in Bates, Collegiate, and Wintec saddle systems
✅ Expert in adjustable gullet and CAIR® Cushion System
✅ Can recommend the right model and adjustments for your horse
✅ Provide ongoing support, flocking, and repairs

Find a Saddle Fitter Near You

North Island

Auckland Region

Auckland Saddle Fit – Christine Peart – 📞 027 625 6464 – Saddle Fitter – North Auckland
Balanced Saddle Fitting LTD – Chris Barnett – 📞 021 411 610 – Saddle Fitter – Auckland
Country Pursuits Ltd – David Jones-Parry – 📞 021 663 895 – Saddle Fitter – Auckland

Waikato & Surrounds

Maddox Equestrian – Phil Maddox – 📞 027 200 7124 – Saddle Fitting / Repairs – Nationwide coverage

Manawatu

Debbie Prattley – Debbie Prattley – 📞 027 383 8728 – Saddle Fitting – Palmerston North

South Island

Christchurch & Canterbury

Stephanie Bullock – 📞 021 187 1330 – Saddler / Saddle Fitting – Christchurch
Equestrian Online – Ursula Keenan – 📞 021 062 8928 – Saddle Fitting / Repairs – Christchurch

Trial Saddle Info

At NZ Tack Saddlery Co, we know finding the perfect saddle is essential for both horse and rider. That’s why we offer a Saddle Trial Service to give you peace of mind before committing to your purchase.

How the Trial Works

You purchase your saddle at full price.
For example, if your chosen saddle costs $1,999, you will be charged $1,999 at checkout.
We then send you a trial saddle, complete with a full set of gullets, so you can test the fit on your horse.
If you’re happy with the fit and feel, we will swap the trial saddle for your brand new saddle at no additional cost.

If the Saddle Does Not Fit

If the trial saddle doesn’t work out, we will refund you $1,900.
The $99 deduction covers:
- The use of the trial saddle (including full gullet set)
- Shipping both ways
- Payment processing/card fees

Important Notes

Once the new saddle has been sent to you (after the trial), it is considered a final sale and is non-returnable.
Saddles must be trialed with care. Please use a clean saddle cloth and take reasonable steps to avoid unnecessary marks or wear.

Warranty

Bates Saddles warranty terms and conditions:

The Bates Saddles warranty becomes effective from the date of purchase of your new Bates saddle.
You must provide proof of purchase, the original purchase receipt and your warranty card.
A repair or replacement under the Bates Saddles Warranty will not extend your Bates Saddles warranty period.
The Bates Saddles warranty is processed through our appointed Bates Saddles retailers.

What is covered under the Bates Saddles warranty:

Bates Saddles guarantees the repair or replacement of your Bates saddle (or part thereof) at no cost, if found to have a breakage in the tree for a period of 10 years from the date of purchase.
Bates Saddles guarantees the repair or replacement of your Bates saddle (or part thereof) at no cost, if found to have faulty materials or workmanship within two years of the date of purchase.

Please note, this line does not apply to saddles sold as a factory second, discontinued or prototype model, which would feature unique "specials" warranty ticketing.

What is not covered under your Bates Saddles warranty:

Normal wear and tear.
Accidental damage, faults caused by negligent use, lack of care or neglect.
Use of the saddle for anything other than equestrian pursuits.
Use of parts or accessories other than those produced or recommended for use with and in a Bates saddle.
Repairs or alterations carried out by third parties not in accordance with Bates Saddles’ recommendations.
The fit of the saddle itself.

What you need to do:

If you believe you have a claim under the Bates Saddles warranty you will need to:

Contact the retailer from whom you purchased your saddle (or your nearest Bates Saddles retailer) to discuss your concerns.
Take this card along with the original purchase receipt and your saddle to the retailer from whom you purchased the saddle (or your nearest Bates Saddles retailer).
The retailer will then be able to assist in assessing whether your saddle has a defect covered under the Bates Saddles warranty.
Thereafter the retailer will then liaise with our team on your behalf in relation to your warranty claim.