Opinion on this saddle?

I am not a huge fan either, but thats down to me feeling more secure in a "standard saddle", I struggle with my JW cose contact with a low cantle, I think I'd be off in a second if my sneaky boy pulled one of his stops.

I think they may have their place tho for certain partnerships.

I do worry about the horses spine tho??
 
He looks very unsafe, and not in the right postion at all to me. Is that what you mean? (Says she who's never jumped!)
 
Yes, that basically covers most of my negative thoughts, needs a good rider, any pressure? Would it be painful on a 'spiney' horse (i.e for me!!)
Will be interesting to have a try I reckon, can't see myself going xc in it though!
 
Yes, that basically covers most of my negative thoughts, needs a good rider, any pressure? Would it be painful on a 'spiney' horse (i.e for me!!)
Will be interesting to have a try I reckon, can't see myself going xc in it though! Weezy-they are very helpful if you book a trial, or I have found them to be (no cost)
 
lol. I will take some pictures and report back (will be next week) Best to be critical though I think. Any suggestions where I should be watching for pressure points?
I think he would go over its head! I have emailed them asking about eventing in it, (or on it??) so will be interesting to see the result.
 
Funny this should come up now, I just had an email from the guy who demonstrated and sold us ours asking for my feedback!

We wanted to try one because we have two dramatically different and difficult to fit horses: one big shoulders, high narrow withers and short broad back, the other is like riding a barrel! We also needed to build up topline on the high withered one.

The saddles do give you the feeling of bareback but you have the extra security, my daughter who hasn't done much bareback was amazed to feel his back moving, and shocked by how much she could feel the shoulders come up when she was jumping. As for me, I hadn't ridden at all for some months but during my ten minutes or so of the demonstration I cantered and jumped. It feels amazingly secure, well all the comfort of bareback with the security of the stirrups.

The horses work much more freely through their backs - our instructors were amazed how quickly the topline has come with me just hacking out and keeping his head carriage low. My daughter and I both find it more comfortable than a conventional saddle and of course leg aids, particularly thighs, are greatly enhanced.

My daughter has done showjumping training using it on 3' tracks but has not as yet competed with it. I do think it's improved her security and if she's going for a long hack she'd rather use the Total Contact.

Because of the way the leathers are attached you do need safety stirrups and I'd recommend the peacock ones. Tack cleaning is of course minimal - you use a gel pad and a numnah.

Our horses love it. People do worry about pressure on the spine BUT the way I look at it is that those people mostly think nothing of putting a thick numnah underneath their specially fitted saddle, in some cases filling up the gullet completely - at which point you have pressure all along the spine and further back - which is more likely to cause problems.

Let's face it, if the horse was uncomfortable he'd let you know - but they are not, they have a lovely loose swingy action.

I'd say don't knock it until you've tried it! It won't be for everyone but it's done what we wanted.

I should say there are some slight disadvantages. It does help if you use a mounting block and with our high withered boy the saddle is inclined to slip back - this is solved with the use of a breast girth and anyway on him ALL saddles slip back!

If anyone around the North Cambridge area is interested in seeing one in use or having a go, PM me.
 
The bloke only lives down the road from us - I looked into these, but was wondering whether people would really pay £200 for a leather flat roller?

Agree that photo is awful
 
Very interesting there. I use a breastplate anyway. What about security? Do you have any pictures? Have you done any cross country/dressage in it?
Thanks.
 
It's not uncomfortable on a spiney horse (ours was, VERY) as you use a gel pad and a numnah.

Pressure points, if you were to find them (and remember you've got the gel pad there) would be on the spine where the edges of the "belt" (as one of our instructors calls it) are.

Just had a look in PB but haven't got any pictures of my daughter jumping in ours.

Watch out if you've got an electric bum though!
 
I liked the first impression of this saddle. Never looked at price tag more concerned whether it fits or not. Anything that is lighter on a horses back has to be a good thing and I fail to see how riding in this saddle means you have to be a great rider. Let me know how you get on, I personally love Wintec saddles and despite all the tosh over being cheap (look at it realistically the best you can hope for is 3-4 years out of one of these, so they are more expensive in the long term), you get a great seat and balance and with a horse that likes to drop its shoulder I stick like s**t to a blanket...but I'm always happy to try something new.
 
Well if one could make one's own one wouldn't pay that sort of money but unfortunately this one can't so had to!
laugh.gif
 
No sorry couldn't find pictures.

As for XC yes and no - we have both jumped the jumps we have - ditch and a couple of log piles that are only about 2'6 and a 2'9 palisade but we haven't tried it out more than that.

Dressage - well we bought it to try to improve his topline and muscles so that he is able to work in an outline (he's an upsidedown horse) and my daughter has had various flatwork lessons but formal dressage - no.

They have gone to Pony Club combined training and rallies with it and it raised a lot of eyebrows!
 
I think the answer to that should be "It is possible".

I'm a very overweight 45 year old and I can do it by myself but the saddle DOES move - ok for emergencies but not recommended. If the stirrup were held for me then there would be no problem. Even 4 years ago and four stone lighter I do not believe there would be a problem for me.
 
I don't understand?

The saddle is not shaped underneath, it is effectively a suede lined roller with girth and stirrup attachments. It can't not fit!
 
Go for it you two - it's a laugh!

(As well as interesting to see how differently the horses go)
 
Thats what a saddler is for to get a saddle that fits, you can't just buy one off the shelf and hope it does. Saddle is one of the most important things you'll buy, other than than the hands that control the reigns failure to find a well fitted saddle and maintain that it is fitted will only lead to disaster. My old nag came with a saddle tripped like buggery, saddler fitted a new saddle tripping now gone (that is the really short version). Fortunately there were was no spinal damage from prolonged use of a poorly fitted saddle - you have to ask the experts in these matters.
 
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