Saddle advice - leather or synthetic?

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amanda1788

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Hi

I am looking for some advice, my horse needs a new saddle as it has got tatty and has probably started to change shape. He currently has a thorowgood maxim saddle and I have no idea what is going to be the best type of saddle to get him.

I can afford to either get him a new synthetic thorowgood saddle or a second hand leather one, but which is better?

He is 6 years old, welsh X so hopefully won't change much shape in the future.

Any advice greatly appreciated. x
 
I love wintec 500 gp saddles with cair... if you use ebay and you keep an eye out you can get a bargain, I got mine for my youngster for £150 only used twice!
 
I have a new synthetic for my daughters pony and a second hand Lovett and Ricketts for my horse. The synthetic is fine for the pony but I love my leather saddle for my TB horse. Either way make sure you have it fitted by a qualified saddler and you should have no bother going forward. I paid £120 for the synthetic new and £350 for the second hand leather, both from the same saddler.
 
I bought a thorowgood T4 high wither saddle for Ted. It's not the most comfortable saddle in the world but fits Ted really well, far better than any leather saddles we tried on him- he's very sway backed!

I like the fact that it's relatively low maintenance and the quality is very good- it took my mum a while to realise it wasn't leather. It's also light to handle and move around and you can also move the knee roles to suit and obviously change the width fitting.

I'm really pleased with the saddle and would certainly consider buying one again.
 
Ehm, difficult one this. I've got a wintec for my cob; but before that have always riden in leather saddles.

What I like about the synthetic is that you can go out when its raining without having to worry about all that work when you get back! - that does save a lot of time.

What I don't like - especially in the summer - is the fact that you get very hot in a synthetic saddle and you don't get that lovely creaky noise you get from leather!!

What I don't like at all about the wintec I've got is the fact that the girth straps are made of plastic and are beginning to wear quite badly; I've been using this particular saddle since last summer and its had a lot of use as my horse is on working livery; but I do wish they'd put leather straps on so as to wear better. That's quite a big grouse as far as I'm concerned. Also the wintec stirrup leathers didn't wear at all well and I'm now using leather ones.

Of course, the ideal situation would be to have two saddles, one synthetic, one leather: but most people's pockets can't rise to that.
 
EarsBack said:
I love wintec 500 gp saddles with cair... if you use ebay and you keep an eye out you can get a bargain, I got mine for my youngster for £150 only used twice!
Click to expand...

Glad I read this I have a practically unused one of these I didn't know what to do with it - as not used much and I prefer a leather one for my current horse.

I will put it on Ebay now Thanks EarsBack ;)
 
Depends whether you presonally prefer synthetic or leather. Peoviding it fits, it makes little difference. I would say though if an old Thorowgood fits, then a wintec won't.
 
Hi,

I have a Kent and Masters, it is made by the same people as Thorowgood. It's like the t6 (which incidently there is also a leather version called the l6, i.e same saddle but leather) Mine is obviously leather but a slightly different shape and more expensive but not much, retails at £700 new. I love it, very confortable and obviously changeable gullet. I have a welshcob (x warmblood) and am very happy with the fit and shape, have had it for a few months now.

x
 
My pony has a leather saddle, which I personally prefer, but my mum''s horse has a synthetic wintec one and you can change the gullet in it, which I'd say is pretty handy, I think they may also be cheaper than leather ones? x
 
agrey with Donkey.. if THOROWGOOD fits, wintecs are unlikly too.. but to be honest Thorowgood saddles are nicer and better made anyway!

I had a T4 hi wither GP for Ted. it was both comfy for him and me, and it was lightweight.
Ted was very akward to fit as he was very hollow at the wither with racing for so long

The new mare will be being fitted with a T6 hi wither Dressage as soon as the bank account allows

Lou x
 
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