Wintec

[Horsesarelife]

I've been looking at saddles for sale and I like the look of the Wintec 500 all purpose, What do people think of it and are the gullets easy to change, also does the equileather last as long as real leather, Last question do you have the cair panels or normal and if you do are they better than normal
heres a picture
http://www.cowboycenter.com/images/English%20Saddles/500%20all%20purpose.jpg

[rache]

i have that saddle in the cair, the cair fitted him nicer and i love it!!!! I can ride all day in it and i will not get a sore bum ;)

It is good value and very good quality.

The gullets are DEAD easy to change very simple indeed.:D

I am gonig to get a close contact one next hehe i love wintecs

[Laura+Phantom]

I love my wintec 500, it's brilliant. I got it for 75 pounds off eBay with 4 gullets, what a bargain! My pony has the extra wide gullet and it fits him beautifully. I had trouble changing the gullet at first but this was because it was second hand and *someone* had overtightened the screws! I have ordinary panels, but my horse seems very comfortable in it, and it's actually really comfortable to ride on, plus it looks very smart indeed. If I could have chosen i'd have gone for CAIR panels and I would have had it in brown for showing purposes, but for that price I won't complain :) It's much easier to care for than leather, but I don't know how long it lasts for. It seems very resiliant material though.

[maverick927]

I love my wintec and it has been very hard wearing in all areas except one.

I find that the girth straps don't wear overly well. I have used the rollar buckles girths as told and take my girth of every time I ride, yet they sitll are beginning to tear after just under two years.

However, there is an up side, girth straps can be replaced with leather ones by a good saddler.

Other than that I cannot fault the wintec. I have owned three. i sold the first one because it was too big for me (ruddy saddler!!!) and the second one was wool flocked. i then changed to CAIR and it is an absolute dream. Maverick has improved so much since we cahnged and I haven't seen one pressure mark since!

[HairyCob]

Wintec 500's are brilliant and the gullets are simple to change once you get the hang of it.

However...... they are not good for wide backed cob's- the gullets just don't go wide enough to fit, and they restrict the shoulder movement.

I had one for HC as he was young and changing shape and I needed a cheap versatile saddle that would grow with him- it worked a treat and he got to six (and just about finished growing and getting wider!) before I had to buy a different saddle.

I rode in it regularly for three years and it is showing no real signs of wear, although I suspect the girth straps would be the first thing to go- I'm sure Maverick rides a lot more than I do which would account for her girth straps going sooner than mine!:D

Easy to clean and lightwieght too- I'd reccomend them, but ONLY if fitted by a reputable saddler- an ill fitting adjustable synthetic will do the same amount of damage if not more, as a leather saddle!:D

[horselverfrver]

I have also been thinking about getting a wintec because they look ice and aren't over my low budget. However, my trainer swears against them, i don't really know why, she just said they fall apart too fast. is this true? and also, if i do get one, would it look funny with leather stirrup leathers, because my friends got a wintec and her wintec(synthetic)leathers broke after only one month of hacking? Well anyway, any other low priced but good quality saddle brands you reccomend? I have an arab by the way...funny guy.

[Dina]

Iahve a wintic that i got second hand and have had for almost 6 years and its still going strong!so go the wintic!

[JaniceH]

Ask Shandy84! We went shopping for bits and bobs for Tomas yesterday and while we were at the shop Shandy84 bought a Wintec 500 (not the cair version) as a first ever saddle for her filly Shandy, (she had already had a saddler out to check what size) and had the wide gullet put in at the shop. It was a really nice saddle, it was quite exciting buying a horse's first ever saddle - a bit like a babies first pair of shoes :D

[shandy84]

Heya I have been told they are particulary good for flat backed and low whithered (god I can't spell) horses especially the arab breeds.

I have never owned a wintec before but I love synthetics as for a young horse who likes to make a mess of her tack it doesn't cost me an absolute fortune to replace etc have to admit when she is full grown I am after a treeless saddle :)

It does look very smart on her though.

[Yann]

I'm not so sure that's actually the case, the extra wide gullet just isn't wide enough for a lot of horses of that type. The gullet is also quite narrow at the back as it potentially needs to also fit a narrow horse, so is a bit of a compromise.

The cut of the saddle is also possibly more suited to a Tb type, the panels bridge terribly on Rio's back, this is something to watch out for as it isn't necessarily that obvious.

[shandy84]

Are you talking about arab types or cob types as I was told for cobs the griffin/thoroughgood ranges are better but have it on good authority from 5 local saddlers three of which are master saddlers that arabs need a saddle like this more often than not?

Can only tell you what they have told me sorry I'm no saddler :)

[maverick927]

Originally posted by horselverfrver
would it look funny with leather stirrup leathers

definitely not, i have always worn leather and it looks fine.

[DITZ]

Hi I've got one and think its fine. The only thing I would say is to keep an eye on the screws as they can come loose. I use mine with leather stirrups and they look fine.

I particularly like the fact that its one less bit of tack to clean:D and lets face it its the worst one to clean too:D

[diplomaticandtactful]

they certainly don't fit wide horses despite what they say in the ads, and I found that they bounced and twisted a lot - plus they look very tatty very quickly and the older ones things stuck to them easily.

I got one to try last year for my cob and although it was brand new, and I only rode in it once with her to try it for size, by the time it came off her it already looked shabby in places, as it seemed to collect dust easily, unlike a leather one.

You may find a second hand leather saddle will hold its resale value much better, as many saddlers will not take a synethetic in part exhcange if the horse changes shape, and then you have the problem of trying to sell it privately.

I have tried to sell my leather saddle privatel y- virtually new and half new price - and got no interest whatsoever so have had to put it in with a saddler, but the wintec I had years ago no one would take it in exchange.

[makebelieve]

Big Ears, I agree with you 100%.

I absolutely love leather! The smell, the feel, the texture…I love them. I don't like Wintecs because, as Big Ears mentionned, they do collect dust easily. I don't find them as smooth as leather saddles, nor do I find that they last as long. I don't exactly like the look of the saddles either.

I find the leather saddles very stylish and elegant. I had to ride my horse in a Wintec for my pre-purchase exam, and I found it really uncomfortable. Just my two cents on the topic.

[shandy84]

I've been in touch with my saddler today as I wanted to double check a few things you guys have said.

I was told they are a brill ECONOMY saddle for wide horses and ponies NOT cobs

Cobs as stated before are better with the griffin or thorogood ranges for a cheap synthetic. I love the smell of leather - but I was advised that for a young back because they take time ti supple up they can be uncomfortable for a young horse with a changing shape.

[Equisgurl]

I think wintecs are pretty good, the onlt thing I dislike are those girth leathers that u attach girth to, they start falling apart pretty fast.

[entreat]

I've ridden in a Wintec a couple of times, and I didn't think they were that comfy. Give me my Aussie Stock Saddle!! I can ride in Cody's saddle all day, but you can't compete in them.

But that could just be the shape of my bum! So have a sit in one, and try it out for yourself. Good luck, tho.

[virtuallyhorses]

Originally posted by Yann
I'm not so sure that's actually the case, the extra wide gullet just isn't wide enough for a lot of horses of that type.

Wintec have just brought out the Wintec WIDE for just this reason - it comes with three gullets which start at XXWide and for passenger comfort they've made sure that it has a narrow twist.

[Jamey]

I love my Wintec 2000 - if you ride in cord jodphurs you get an excellent stickybum effect!!! Mine's saved me heaps of money as so far I have used it on three different horses and the gullets are very easy to change. I was told that using leather stirrups would somehow rot the synthetic material but I suspect this was just my saddler wanting extra money from me!! :rolleyes: I have had no problems so far with the girth straps but I did suspect problems in this area when I first bought the saddle and my saddler said that they were easily replaced. My Wintec has a tendency to slide backwards a little on Sasha (IDxDales) but so do all the others we've tried and I'm hoping a breastplate will sort this.

[ponynut]

I have a 500 and a 2000 both 17".
I like them both but favour the 2000 slightly as the girth straps are better.
I have the wide gullet in both and these fit all my horses.
(I have an arab, an arab/NF and a young ID/cob)
I hope that my young filly makes 14'2 so I can use my present saddles on her. If not will need a 3rd wintec but a 16"- this one if I get it will have the CAIR system.......

[diplomaticandtactful]

I found that none of the synthetics fitted my cobs, not even close, with wide and extra wide.

The only things that sat on them were new leather saddles!

Tried wintec, griffen you name it but none were close,.

[Yann]

Flat backed and low withered is a description that can be used to describe a lot of cobs and natives as well as arabs. Unfortunately many of the mass market 'cob' saddles aren't wide enough either, there isn't actually much difference between the maxam XW and Wintec XW, but the panels are wider and the gullet is broad all the way to the back.

The new Wintec wide is definitely a step in the right direction, as the current mass market 'ultra wide' saddles tend to be quite pricey, be interesting to hear a bit more about them.

Saddle fitting is unfortunately a bit of a minefield, even SMS membership doesn't alwiays guarantee you a good job according to a few tales I've heard.

[Alex]

My YO has Wintec 500's for all the school horses and they've been brilliant. They're used alot, and have handled the wear and tear very very well. We haven't had the problems with the girth straps either.

I have a Wintec 2000 Dressage that I do all my schooling, hacking, jumping etc in, and it's brilliant. I agree that they pick up dust, but I used a saddle cover, aswell as giving it a quick wipedown with a damp cloth after each ride, and it's fine.

As for comfort, I found my Wintec uncomfy for the first couple of times I used it, but once it had softened, it was heaven. I took Milly on a 4-and-a-half hour hack 2 weeks ago, and I didn't get a sore bum at all! :D

I show in my instructors County though, as I don't think the Wintecs hold up in the show ring. I don't think they have the same 'formal-ness' as leather. Showing is the only time I wouldn't recommend the Wintec.

Just my 2 cents....

~Alex~

[ride4life]

it seems i am on the opposing side of the wintecs.ive had one for over a year and quite frankly i hate it!!!

the billets are starting to crack. the stirrup bars are placed to far foward and the stirrup leathers are the same as the billets.... starting to crack.

at first glance with the slogans " will fit any horse" a wintec seems like a great choice, but on the contrairy, they only change in the wither area, the shoulder width and shape stays the same. this at one time nearly ruined my leg and made my horse very moody.

im just saying be aware that the saddle fits well, as i could barely put my leg on. if you are on a budget, wintecs are better then as an example cheap leather saddles made in argentina (some saddle brands) but for me my lesson has been learned, save up for the nicer leather saddle, its not fun training young horses when you are fighting for your postioin over your saddle jmho.

[entreat]

I also found I couldn't keep my leg on. I thought it was just me!

[zucchero]

I have a Wintec 500 Dressage for my 3yr old cob that is 17 1/2" and is fitted with the m/w gullet. I did find it quite hard first of all but then it softened. My only advice would be to get it fitted with a saddler because a bad saddle can ruin a horse. I took sug to Frogpool Manor. They took all her measurements and mine, and then took templates of her back. then i rode her around their arena and we tried about 4 different sizes before finding the right one. Well worth the time spent.

[sugarpuff]

hello i have just got a new typical tb 15.3 hh.i need to get a saddle (second hand as he is underweight, and should fill out a bit more) he is high withered, would the wintec one be suitable, i have a big bum so want something comfy, and where is the best place to look.

[DITZ]

sugarpuff if your horse is likely to put weight on then a wintec is ideal as you can change the width as he grows. Theres no point in buying a saddle if you think he wont fit it soon. I have a high withered tb and I had a master saddler fit him and it was the only thing that was right for him. I did have problems a little while ago with it rubbing but it turned out to be his back and (touch wood) its been perfect since. I bought mine new but in hindsight I would buy a second hand one off ebay or even a new one off there. Much cheaper.

PS I also have a big bum:D

[sugarpuff]

thanks thats great help i only go him on friday had a little go on him on sunday borrowing a friends saddle but that wasnt a perfect fit for me:+) i have heard lots of different oppions about the wintecs etc, but i quit like them.

my tb is under weight slightly but he is lovley very kind. so i want somthing that will adjust slightly to him when he does put on a bit of weight.