Synthetic saddles

[me2]

There seems to be much controversy over this - my 4yr old cob is supposed to be broken this year (f & m permitting) & I was advised by the lady who is going to break her to get a Wintec 500 saddle. This is a synthetic saddle with adjustable padding. She recommended it because it would easily mould the my horses back & could be adjusted as her muscles developed. However other people have thrown up their hands in horror saying synthetic saddles don't fit properly & go all out of shape in the warm weather. She's hopefully going to be used as a nice steady family horse so comfort for horse & rider is more important than appearance. Does anyone have good/bad experiences with synthetic saddles please ?

[Graymalkin]

There's still a lot of snobbery and ignorance about synthetics. One of my friends, for instance, would rather spend a couple of thousand on changing saddles over the next two years than use a 'horrible' synthetic on her youngster! But then, she's rich.
Do they change shape when it gets warm? Um, no. That's absolute cr*p! They're light on a youngster's back, easy to use, easy to clean and cheap to replace if a disaster happens. Some people love 'em. Some hate 'em. But Wintecs are pretty good quality, robust saddles and very good value for money.
If the Wintec fits your young horse (and you must check with an expert - don't just buy 'off the peg'), and you're comfortable riding in it, then it's worth considering. I used one on one of my youngsters for two years and kept changing the gullet whenever she needed it. Eventually, she changed shape so much that we needed a different saddle - but I'm now using the Wintec on another horse, who again, will change shape quite dramatically over the next couple of years as she develops. And by the time she gets her own 'posh' saddle, I daresay I'll have another youngster lined up for the Wintec... Why do I go to the sales?!!

[KarinUS]

I have heard only good things about Wintec, from people who actually own one, rather than "just have an opinion about them".
The only bad thing I heard was about the faked suede used on the Wintecs. I don't want (faked) suede.
The parent company of Wintec is Bates. Bates saddles are real leather, but they do have the changeable gullet system and the air panels.
Personally I think I will buy a Bates Caprilli AP for that reason.

[jed lewis]

my opinion on sythetics is ,depending on the
make ,they are not as hard wearing as a leather
saddle but for young horses they are kind
and a bit more forgiving to,the thorowgood
range is great as there are some nice designs.
i use these saddles on my young cobs with no
problem they are fairley robust as said .
there is now a designs for cobs i am hoping
to try ,i love close contact which these are
and good freedom of shoulder and lots more.
changing gullet is a great idea in a saddle
but does not suit all cobs who are table top .
i am not keenon the maxam range at present
or the stratass as they hit one in the crouch
bad design if you spend a lot of time schooling
as i do .i think you would be fine with a
synthetic saddle but see it fits you and the
cob .best wishes jed

[JackiAH]

I was absolutely in LOVE with synthetics (had the whole "I'll get- A wintec saddle, the gullets, the Wintec Girth, the Wintec Leathers yadda yadda yadda" thing lined up) and I ride in a Wintec western that I'm in love with. Now, I've seen the wintec 500 series and I still like em. I think their great looking, and look amazingly comfortable.

BUT, my one trainer told me never to get a synthetic. She said that Courbette is the best saddle and if I get one to get a Courbette. She said that the Wintec'll prolly just break down and be horrible.

I still think I might get a Wintec for my first saddle, but what she said made me think. She's been riding for over 54 years and I value her opinion greatly.

Jacki

[Graymalkin]

JackiAH - your instructor may have been riding for 50-odd years, and she may be an expert in many ways, but that doesn't mean she knows anything about synthetics! She sounds a little like my instructor, who's also been riding 60 years or so - she's a fabulous riding instructor, but doesn't believe in chiropractors or anything alternative, like the behavioural stuff used by Kelly Marks, Richard Maxwell etc.
So your instructor says Wintecs will 'break down'? They're not cars! Like any saddle, if you look after them, they'll last probably longer than the horse, and still look good. I've just dug out an ancient Wintec dressage saddle that I'm going to sell. Before I cleaned it, yes it looked horrible. But the tree is sound (I believe they're guaranteed for 10 years, but most synthetic saddle owners that I've known reckon they last longer) and with a quick scrub it looks almost new again. And the flocking is in better condition than you'd get in a leather saddle of similar age.
Never heard of the Courbette, by the way! What's the best saddle is a very personal thing. But whatever saddle you get, it must fit the horse. Going with a make just for the sake of it is a bad idea.

[Barkless]

The only bad comments about Wintecs I've come across (not counting the ignorant remarks from the 'leather snob' crowd) have to do with the saddle not fitting the rider or the horse. But that's a personal thing.

I've ridden in the 250 model a few times and it was extremely comfortable. And the newer Wintecs come with a lifetime warranty on the tree.

[katyptaty]

I have a synthetic as my 'boy' will be changing shape so there was no point spending loads of money. he has had it for a year now and is fantastic. changeable and light for the horse and lovely fake suede seats for the rider that make your bottom stick nice and closely to the saddle (also fantastic in the cold as it keeps the bottom warm!)

There are 2 of us at the stables now who have synthetics and we both think they are a great alternative to expensive leather saddles that would have to be changed as the back develops and changes shape. There are a few leather snobs but it's the best for my boy! The Head Girl at the stables thinks my saddle is one of the comfiest and her riding-weary bottom loves it!

the cost is only about £200 - £250 and they do last for ages. You will not have lost a lot when you come to sell it on.

Obviously just make sure you buy from a reputable saddler who will fit it correctly to your horse and will check it every few months for you. Any saddle, whether synthetic or leather will be no good if it doesn't fit.

I hope this helps add to the current list of 'synthetic-philes'!

[JackiAH]

Graymalkin- Your totally right. I am really in love with the Wintec's, only problem I'm looking at right now is the billet straps. They seem to be kind of... not flimsy... just... breakable I guess. I thoroughly inspected ( :) ) a Wintec at our local (overpriced) tack store, and I thought that everything (minus the billet straps) looked very comfortable + durable.

If I'm able to get one to fit Pal, me thinks that'll be a great saddle. I love the idea of the changeable gullets by the way!

Jacki

PS And I forgot to add, I love the pricetags (lol)! $299 for a Wintec 500 at our overpriced Gryf's, count me in!

[Barkless]

The cheapest I've seen that saddle is $314 from a mail order company.

[Graymalkin]

Billet straps?! Are they the girth straps?!

[JackiAH]

Uh huh Graymalkin.

Jacki

[lamprellsarah]

a Wintec 500 in english pounds is £210,
I love my synthetic saddle, it's old now because when i took it to be restuffed they said they stopped making that type 4/5 years ago, but because i got it with the horse when i bought her i didn't know a lot about it.
But it's still in great condition nothing has gone on it their are no splits, rips or tears, the billet straps are the original ones and are not showing signs of wear, or spliting so they will last a good deal longer.
Also it is ideal for my horse as she has very high withers and i know it would be very hard to get a leather saddle to fit her.