Synthetic Saddles - opinions please

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eriskaypony

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Having just bought my first horse I am about to embark on a shopping spree. Saddle fitter is coming next week and I quite fancy a synthetic saddle. I'll just be hacking out 2 or 3 times a week so no challenging riding involved.

OH, our saddle fitter and our boy's coach are leather evangelists. OH paid £1,500 for her last saddle and it is wonderful, but it does seem a bit excessive to spend a lot on a leather saddle for what I'll do, especially as synthetics are easier to keep.

I'd appreciate any experiences from those that use them.
 
In my opinion synthetics can lose their shape pretty quickly so unless they are really cheap (under 200 quid) you are better off spending your money on a leather one.

You should easily be able to find a leather GP for 300 - 600 pounds, no need to pay 1,500 and maybe even less for a second hand one. At the same time many synthetics cost 300 - 500 pounds!
 
I love my synthetic Wintec CC, despite what people say I am pleased with how it fits and horse is comfortable.

There's no way I could have afforded a leather saddle, but my synthetic was only £230. Maybe one day I'll trade it in and upgrade because I'd love to be the owner of a beautiful leather saddle.
 
I hate them hate them hate them although I sat in my friends Wintect Isabella dressgae and was very comfy and quiet nice but leather all the way if your spending £600 on a synthetic you may as well go leather. you cant go wrong
 
I dont link Wintecs, but can not speak HIGHLY enough of the Thorowgood saddles!! they are fabulous.

You can get a band new fitte thorowgood for 320 and they are cracking saddles.

Lou x
 
I have to agree! Although I find mine comfy I get a damp bum! When she is hot and sweaty it seems to come through. Lovely i know! Go for leather if you can.
 
I have a synthetic saddle it's brill, always had them and my first one never changed shape. Only hacked in it nothing else as pony was 20!
I think there good as they are much lighter than leather, but I also like leather!!
So sat on the fence with this one, lol.
 
Personally I'd rather try to find a second hand leather one as it will hold its value better if you want to change it at a later date.
 
I got a wintec against my traditionalist better judgement. I have to say, I was VERY pleasantly surprised.
I can't stand the 500 which put me in a very strange position, so got the brown VSD and it's fooled a fair few people into thinking it was a more expensive, leather saddle, and I do everything from local showing to XC in it.
It's still looking great after 4 years of treatment that would have done for a nice leather saddle - not least the power-hosing after muddy hacks and living in the back of a roasting/freezing car.
However, when I can, I'll still get a nice leather one...
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I have 3 Wintec Synthetic saddles and absolutely love them. Only hack in them, but find them very comfy and seem to fit the horses very well (rather large cobs). They still look like new after 3 years use.
 
I have just bought a Thorowgood High Wither for my TB and am very pleased with it.
I don't like Wintecs on the whole as all the ones I've come across seem very perched. Also they have synthetic girth straps which I don't like.
The Thorowgood has leather straps and they are easily changed and moved. The saddle comes with 4 rings for the straps to attach to. The normal three and a balance strap.
I bought mine from here where it is on offer. I ordered it Thursday and had it by Monday.
http://www.saddlery.biz/products.asp
 
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Personally I hate synthetic saddles - I find them awful to ride in for more that about 5 mins.
Maybe speak to your saddler about a second hand leather saddle?

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totally agree- horrid things!
i would look at 2nd hand leather; i have just bought a 2nd hand passier dressage saddle for under £200. it is beautiful quality, lovely to ride in and the fits the horse well.

i am also suspicious of the changable gullets- you are only changing a tiny part of the saddle which means they are presuming 90% of the saddle will fit any shape of horse?
 
For hacking about on, chucking in the back of your car and if your not fond of tack cleaning etc then there great, there also light weight for lugging around and for your horse..... providing they fit, a lot of people are under the illusion that just because they have changeable gullets and fish inserts etc that they will fit anything so it's good to make sure they fit correctly by a saddle fitter and not opt for one just because there cheaper.

I do agree that you do have to keep your eye on them once they have panned in, because they just keep panning in and in and in! so you may have to have it re-flocked/checked quite often, specially around the shoulder, and area on panels towards the pommel area, so really by the time you've had it year or two you may of already paid out what it would cost you having a more expensive leather saddle.

Not only that but if your tack room gets done over and you get it stolen, well lets face it your not going to be as gutted, than if you shelled out over a grand on a saddle, which could take time to replace and mould back to how well it fitted your horse etc.

I think there ok, there not bad but there not brilliant either... if you have been used to something nicer, if you've made do with them in the past then you just get used them and I think you forget what a good saddle feels like! lol, I've only had TG's and you can tell the difference with your seat and leg position when your in a good saddle, I'd probably invest in a good quality second hand leather saddle if it was me in your situation but I wouldn't knock them, there ok.

Friends got a wintec GP (not sure what model it is) but he can't stand it, I actually didn't mind it although it seemed harder than the TG, but I preferred position/seat of the Wintec to the TG but then my saddler said he doesn't supply wintecs anymore because there made in India now and there a load or cr*p.....his words not mine as I was after a Wintec CC. I think they all have the good and bad points.
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I have both, a leather Albion and a Thorowgood High Wither. Love them both to bits for different reasons but if I was to have only one saddle, I'd probably go for the synthetic as it is light, can be fitted and refitted several times, is dead easy to maintain and does not mind a slightly damp tack room ...
The only thing I'd advise against is anything that contains CAIR as they are a b**ard to restuff and (imo) don't allow a close enough contact.
 
I like leather (ooh-er
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) but when my tack got nicked last year it was a nightmare to find a replacement.

OH has synthetic adjustables for his mare.....his wintec got nicked and it was no problem...he just bought a thorowgood replacement straight away ( which is far better than the wintec for the mare- she is rather round)

Pony came with a wintec wide...which I use when I ride him as my bum wouldnt fit into daughters leather show saddle. Its fine and does the job and obviously can be adjusted as he changes shape.

They have their place....and you are like my OH and can't really be arsed to clean your tack and don't compete etc....then go for it.

As long as it fits-thats the main thing
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Love them!
I have a very boney bum and find mid range leather and some of the top brands lead to a very uncomfy bottom.
The thorowgood saddles are extremly comfy.Yes,the mock suede parts can behave like a spnge when wet,but the T6 range dont have that(and I am sure the older ranges are avalible without the sponge suede bits too).
Have only sat in 2 wintecs,not a huge fan but they suited their owners very well.

The gullet and FISH bits are for fine tuning of the fit,not drasticly changing it.
No single normal GP saddle can ever fit every horse and I dont belive thats what the company was trying to make.

I would ask your saddler to bring a few up,have a sit and see what you think
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In his previous life my lad had a handmade-to-measure leather saddle to fit his extra wide back. He now has a perfect fitting Thorowgood synthetic saddle, which fits him perfectly and from what I can gather was £1600 LESS than his made to measure one.

Its great to clean and doesnt mark or scratch easily and looks very smart with its suedette panals.

Although leather will always have that extra something I don't see anything wrong with a good synthetic.
 
I have a wintec dressage for my pony and its fantastic, we had him on loan before i was given him and had problems with the fit of the saddle he came with, i was slightly short of funds so bought the wintec from ebay and i have used it so much.
Have just invested with an expensive saddle leather saddle for him but will be keeping the wintec for using during the winter.
 
I have both a leather and Wintec wide saddle. I much prefer the Wintec but this might be because I am a bloke. My OH thinks the leather saddle is very comfortable, I think it's OK, but the Wintec suits me better.
 
I don't dislike them as much as I used to as I think they have gotten better but I like leather,

I have a GP and Dr, both bought second hand both for less than £500

Mums mare is difficult to fit due to complete lack of shoulders so she had one mad for her new for £750 so no breaking the bank like some seem to.
 
I've had 5 or 6 different Thorowgoods over the years which have suited three very different horses, ranging from a narrow, high-withered TB to an extra-wide Arab. I do endurance and can vouch for how comfortable they are (have done 80kms with no problems). And I've never noticed the 'damp' issue! Provided you have them regularly checked by a proper saddle fitter, they should last you just as long as a leather saddle - one of mine was bought in 1999, did 3000 endurance miles plus training etc, and has just been sold as a starter saddle for a young endurance horse.
 
Well on my old mare i had a lovely jeffries leather GP, and i loved it. Now i have my loan mare (who came with nothing - but thats another story) and i traded my leather saddle in getting over £200 for it (was really chuffed as it was over 10 years old, and not the colour or size that is selling at that moment) i got a wintec vsd with cair and changable gullett - and i love it, so does my mare, with my trade in it only cost me an extra £60 (special offer) brand new. very comfy and looks great too, we've done everything showing, dressage, sj, xc, hacking and never had a problem yet. if i had the money yes i would choose leather over synthetic - but they've come on leaps and bound from what i remember years ago - and definitely fooled a few people into thinking its leather! If you can speak to your saddler and ask to have a look at both and see which you prefer.
 
Thanks for the input. Saddle fitter is bringing a selection to see what fits the new boy. I've told her I'm not forking out a fortune so she's bringing some second hand leather. They sell Thorowgoods so I'll tell her to bring a couple.

The fitter we usually use swears blind that leather is best, and I tend to agree that if you're spending serious money the best leather saddles are superb. OH's saddle is fantastic but at that price so it should be. We've changed fitters only because we need 6 horses checked twice a year and this one visits 2 neighbours to do just that.

I just know OH will start at looking at sensible £400ish second hand and will end up pushing for a 4 figure new one.
 
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