Opinions on wintec easy change system and CAIR

[alsxx]

Ok I am sure this has probably been done to death, I have just missed it!! I'm after people's opinions on the easy change system - how easy is it to do, would you say its as accurate as having a good saddler fitting etc etc. I'm thinking of getting myself a wintec dressage saddle (probably the Isabell one) for my mare, but obviously want a good fit!!! Thanks in advance

 

[Dolcé]

I put other for using the guide as we dont use one, nor a saddle fitter. I am a huge fan of the wintecs

 

[KatB]

Personally found changing the gullet ok with 2 people!!! It just changes the front of the saddle, but it your horse is naturally a med or there abouts, it will be fine. Personally wont use Cair again, my horse dislikes it and I have ended up having to fork out for a new saddle

 

[bex1984]

I have a wintec wide cob saddle, bought second hand from someone on here and I love it

I had a normal wintec for my previous horse too. I've had to change the gullet down two sizes twice in the past few months as Murphy has changed shape. It does involve a bit of swearing

but I can do it on my own without too much hassle!

Mine isn't a cair one, and the disadvantage I can see with Cair is that I think it can't be adjusted in the same way as the flcoked one - if necessary a saddler can change the flocking, but can't change the cair (someone correct me if I'm wrong here though!?)

 

[alsxx]

Thanks for replies so far!! KatB did you have the dressage saddle? I guess you cant really say what is was he didnt like about the CAIR?

 

[Abbeygale]

I have 2 wintec 2000's with cair - both my neddies seem to like it. I don't think that the guide is as good as having a saddler out - as the guide can't accurately assess the saddle on the horse once you have changed the gullet.

I think the gullets are ok for people who know what they are looking at - but a terrible idea when they get in the wrong hands.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

I've never had a Wintec but I've had several Bates saddles & the system is the same I think. It is dead easy to change the gullet, only takes a few minutes, which makes them ideal for a youngster who is growing & changing shape regularly. Additionally they are ideal for a horse you have bought & their shape is changing due to the exercise & schooling you are doing. Without using this system you would be forever having a saddler out & buying & trading in saddles in the above circumstances. The Bates are very comfortable aswell.

 

[Equus Leather]

My OH rides his share horse in a wintec isabelle dressage saddle. He's a proper stickler for old fashioned saddlery, but he says he really likes this one.

 

[tabithakat64]

I've got a Wintec 500 GP saddle, I've never changed the gullet myself, it's only needed to be changed once in 8 years, but I have the fit checked by a saddler every six months.

 

[Booboos]

I had a Bates Cair and changing was OK (went from black to blue) but quite a struggle to get it into red (wide fitting) - that really needed two people. So I think it's OK if you change it every few months, but not for doing it everyday (some people want to ride two different horses with the one saddle and I don't think that works). I still needed the saddle fitter though to adjust the saddle with flocking, which you can add around the Cair (although you cannot change the Cair itself as far as I know). I had one horse who liked it and one who hated it!

 

[Jade2007]

If you have a genuine gullet, it's very easy to change (the genuine ones are stamped, the fake ones are almost impossible to get in!). I *think* it only changes the front of the saddle. I would say get a saddler out, I know many people who's horses have back problems due to badly fitting saddles even when they've used the guide. I've never tried CAIR but I've heard many bad reports, so I avoided it.

I bought a Wintec Close Contact Jumping Saddle, and it did not fit my pony at all. It was too far on his shoulders, and when we put it back to where it should be it wasn't balanced at all. If you're going to get one, get a saddle fitter out. I wouldn't recommend them, but I understand that most people can't afford a decent leather saddle that has been fitted by a saddle fitter (that is why we bought one).

 

[Selkie]

I have a wintec 500 and 2000 both with CAIR and like them both on my high withered tbx. I think the gullets are easy to change.

 

[KatB]

Nope, I have one of the bates Momentum jump saddles

 

[Hollycat]

I find the gullet easy to change and I found just changing the gullet was adequate for making the saddle wider as it seemed quite generous at the back anyway. However, if you have a large chunky horse even the extra wide gullet may not be wide enough. For a smaller, finer horse it will probably be fine. I had the Isabelle dressage which I liked, but I am tall and have a big bum so even the 17.5 inch seat did not really give me enough room. The difference to my position changing to my WOW has been great. The cair is ok - my horse had no objections to it, but compared to the flair it s very hard.

It does what it says on the tin. Its cheap but better than many second hand leather dressage saddles of the same price. It is adjustable so again, for a youngster or horse that may be in and out of work at times, it is better than buyng a leather saddle then having to buy another a few months later. Not as good as a WOW or good leather saddle but I was happy with mine until I needed to upgrade. I still have mine as it will be useful for backing any youngsters in the future, though I am considering selling it as I need jumping flaps for my WOW and of course the WOW will fit anything.