A daft question about wintec saddle........

cob&onion

cob&onion

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Have spotted a good deal through a local ad on a wintec dressage saddle with cair and has the changeable gullet system. It has a 17" seat - i am approx a size 10 so i know it will fit my backside even though if i had the choice i would go with a 17.5 seat.
It will be for a welsh D - he's 3 in early spring and i plan to back him next year. I have a synthetic saddle already for backing him in but no way is it a long term use one!!
I do want to do a bit of dressage with him and planned to get him one later down the line.
Do you think its worth buying if i get a saddler out to re-adjust/change gullet etc? do these fit a typical welshies shape well??
 
cob&onion said:
Have spotted a good deal through a local ad on a wintec dressage saddle with cair and has the changeable gullet system. It has a 17" seat - i am approx a size 10 so i know it will fit my backside even though if i had the choice i would go with a 17.5 seat.
It will be for a welsh D - he's 3 in early spring and i plan to back him next year. I have a synthetic saddle already for backing him in but no way is it a long term use one!!
I do want to do a bit of dressage with him and planned to get him one later down the line.
Do you think its worth buying if i get a saddler out to re-adjust/change gullet etc? do these fit a typical welshies shape well??
Click to expand...

I have a normal Wintec GP fitted to my sec D by a fitter! She said a lot of them are wintec shaped. :) He was in a cob t6 but she said he wasn't cob shaped and had wither, so guess see how round he looks!
 
deoni said:
I have a normal Wintec GP fitted to my sec D by a fitter! She said a lot of them are wintec shaped. :) He was in a cob t6 but she said he wasn't cob shaped and had wither, so guess see how round he looks!
Click to expand...

I suppose it maybe worth a buy then! he has whither and not as round as my coloured cob who is a nightmare to find a saddle for!
 
Oooh so many thoughts...

Firstly, Wintec gullet shape:

http://saddlefitter.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/changeable-gullets-details.html

Welsh cobs - many will only take a 17" saddle, some ever smaller, and the Wintec panels are quite long. Make sure it doesn't fit beyond the last rib, but also it must have the points behind the scapula at the same time. Most people put saddles on too far forwards and so end up with seat sizes that are too big.

And aside from my general dislike of the headplate shape in the Wintec/Bates trees, I fit a lot of Welsh cobs and I really don't think they are Wintec shaped. Wintec Wide or no.
 
Difficult to predict the future. My cob is so wide and flat my saddler is having a hoop tree'd saddle made up for him, the traditional bell shaped tree just isn't right for him and she said I would be perched on him!!. If the dressage saddle inst too much money it might be worth getting it. You could always sell it later on if its no good.

My retired cob X has a wintec vsd that was a perfect fit for her. Cobs, particularly welshies have such a lot of variation.
 
I have a TB in a wintec GP which fits well. She needs a jump saddle. just wanted to hijack and ask sbloom what makes to consider ie what trees are similarly shaped. I am a bit fussy about blocks and seats so it's going to be a bit of a nightmare I expect..

Sorry to hijack c&o :o
 
JT - I only fit two brands so really hard to say - you'd need to talk to a fitter that fits all sorts of brands. We could easily make something that would work, but it'd not be your cheapest option if you're on a Wintec type budget.

To me "bell shaped" trees are not good at all - the tree head should be two straight lines joined by a curve - a hoop tree has a very wide curved section, a tree for a high withered horse will have a narrower curve and be more like an upside down V. I see a lot of saddles (and I do see trees straight from the manufacturers also) that are shaped like this - we all want our horses to have a convex or flat rather than concave shape beside their withers, so why would we fit saddles that have a bulge that sits into the trapezius ie either side of the wither?

I find very few of even the cobs and natives I specialise in, need a truly hoop tree, but they often do need slightly wider heads on than many saddles have. Hoop trees to me are for some XXWs and above, the truly mutton withered.
 
OP, if your young Welsh Cob is anything like mine he will be rapidly changing shape for a long time to come - and not just width-ways.
He may or may not be 'wintec-shaped' - you and your saddle-fitter are the only ones who will know that.
Best thing would be to fit him for a saddle when you need one just before backing - he will grow lots over the winter (and next year, and the year after, and the year after .....;))
 
I ride my just backed Knabstrupper in a Wintec Dressage with cair with an extra wide gullet - she is a similar shape to a welsh D and has little wither. It fits her really well and is comfortable to ride in. I find it a good cheap option as I didn't want to buy a good leather saddle while she's still growing. Is there any chance you could borrow one to fit on her before you buy. I fit my own but if in doubt good to get an experienced fitter.
 
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