How is a Bassador adjustable?
When you receive your Bassador, place it on your animal’s back as is. Then see what needs adjusting. Is it too tight? Too loose?
You will have to adjust it by moving the arches closer together or further apart. This will ensure a comfortable fit.
The pack-saddle will be correctly adjusted when the four arches are tightly secured to the carpet.
The Bassador has a minimum and maximum width at the front and back.
Before ordering, make sure your animal fits within this minimum-maximum range.
Cut out two pieces of cardboard with the following dimensions:
1 – The first piece will be called FRONT PATTERN
2 – The second piece will be called BACK PATTERN
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On both pieces of cardboard, draw a line 30 cm from the bottom. This line represents the level of the spine at the top of the cut-out.
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Position the FRONT PATTERN just behind the shoulder. The shoulder is the bone located under the large bump of the withers, vertically above the front legs, on either side of the spine.
Cut the cardboard with a pair of scissors to fit the shape of the back. After cutting, the dotted line should be level with the spine.
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When the cutting is complete, points AV1 and AV2 (30 cm below the spine) indicate the location of the front ends of the pack-saddle arches.
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Measure this distance AV1-AV2.
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Position the BACK PATTERN 34 cm behind the FRONT PATTERN. This is where the rear arch will be located.
Cut the cardboard with a pair of scissors to match the shape of the back. The dotted line should be at the level of the spine.
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When the cutting is complete, points AR1 and AR2 (30 cm below the spine) indicate the location of the rear ends of the saddle arches.
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Measure this distance AR1-AR2.
Check for yourself in the table below whether the measurements of your horse or mule are compatible with the Bassador.
Please note: Once you have found the nominal measurements, remember that each arch can still pivot 3 cm inwards or outwards.
If you are unsure, please email us these two measurements, AV1-AV2 and AR1-AR2.
Please note: the thickness of the carpet must be added to the width of the animal. A Couveton Randoline carpet contains a 20 mm thick felt layer. Therefore, add 40 mm to your measurements before comparing them in the table.
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Additional measurements: We also require a few measurements to verify the size of the leather belts.
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Cut a piece of cardboard into a trapezoid shape, approximately the same size as the Bassador.
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Fold the cardboard over the animal, as if it were a blanket. Position it just behind the shoulder. The shoulder is the bone located under the large bump of the withers, vertically above the front legs, on either side of the spine.
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Mark the corners of the pack (where the straps will be attached) with the letters A-B-C-D.
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Using a flexible tape measure, measure the A-B dimension across the animal’s neck (for the front strap, known as the ‘breast collar’).
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Using a flexible tape measure, measure the C-D dimension by passing behind the animal’s hindquarters (for the rear strap, called the ‘breeching’).
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Locate the letters E-F in the centre of the pack-saddle. Using a flexible tape measure, measure the E-F dimension under the belly (for the strap under the belly, called the ‘belly band’).