synthetic saddles

debsflo

debsflo

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looking at a new saddle for daughters pony.she currently is in a 16 inch.wondering about a wintec or thorowgood.does anyone have and if so are they good or bad.want a brown gp saddle and whats the difference with flock or air.is the air noticably lighter and do you need to check it or do anything with it thanks
 
Sorry but I HATE synthetic saddles... Out of interest, why do you want a synthetic? IMO you're better off buying a decent secondhand leather saddle...
 
I have had 2 Wintec saddles... the first was a brown GP one, it was ok, newly reflocked and its sitting there doing nothing but its 17"... It has lasted pretty well considering its synthetic, have only had to get the girth straps changed once as they were starting to wear.

I bought a Wintec Isabel dressage saddle about a year ago because a) my Akhal Teke was 20 so couldn't justify forking out a grand for a leather one, plus b) he is REALLY hard to fit and no second hand leather ones fitted, plus c) he's kept at home, lives out most of the time and I didn't want to be spending hours cleaning mud off a saddle. You can actually just brush the dirt off a synethetic with a dandy brush!

And the Isobel has been great, its really nice to ride on, compares well to leather saddles (been riding in a few Jaguars lately). So if its just general riding your daughter is after, a synthetic might be ideal, but remember they don't hold their value as well as a leather so they're not necessarily cheaper in the long run.
 
dont be such a snob, CM.....As you well know, a second hand leather saddle can be a nightmare to fit correctly....


As for the OP...Try and get a S/H Saddle Company saddle...can be adjusted to fit a pony WELL.....

around 285 on Ebay....
 
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dont be such a snob, CM.....As you well know, a second hand leather saddle can be a nightmare to fit correctly....

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I was just giving the OP *MY* opinion
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I have both but prefer the wintec. I have a wintec 500 gp with care for a tb x and have just bought the 2000 with care ridden in it once and found it fitted us both. I have a cob in a Torowgood and dont like it as much but maybe its just the shape of the horse
 
I have had two synthetic saddles but I have been much happier with my Ideal leather one. I wouldn't have a synthetic saddle again, personally, unless I had a youngster who was going to change shape or I was on a tight budget. I think the only way to tell if you will like synthetic is to try it.
 
Sorry have to agree with CM cant stand them, did have one for my daughters pony, never really fitted well, had tons of problems, then got a second hand ideal gp and never looked back, must admit would rather purchase a good secondhand leather than synthetic but they are very popular.
 
I think the changeable gullet can be an advantage in a way, but my cair wintec did not sit right on her back (she is very difficult to fit anyway) but I do think that part of it was because it is cair, it also moved on her back, and other people I know with synthetics have said the same. But I think that for youngsters that are changing shape they are good, and they do have other advantages. I am actually putting my wintec on eBay either tonight or tomorrow, but it is 17 inch.
 
I don't like GP saddles much in general, some of them really don't help you stay in the correct position. So leather or synthetic, IMO it doesn't make a huge difference to riding if you're just doing a bit of everything for fun, especially on a pony.

When I get my new boy (in the next couple of weeks!) he will be kept on livery and phew I get my tack cleaned for me so I have to admit I will be after the swankiest leather saddle I can find and beat the grooms if there's so much as a streak on it
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Bog sandard Wintec GP's are the work of the devil IMO! Put you in the incorrect flat position, not secure enough for jumping (I can never get my stirrups up short enough!), most of the horses I ride at college have them and TBH I'd rather eat my own head than ride in one again! I have sat in a Wintec dressage one (Isabell?) and liked it. I also quite like the Bates saddles
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I have a brown Wintec 500. Had it fitted by a good saddler who spent near on an hour making sure it fitted properly, both with & without rider & in walk & trot.

It fits really well on my NF mare, she is quite narrow & has had back problems in the past so I am very wary of what I use on her but I have to say, this has done really well for both of us. It's very comfortable to ride in & for a synthetic, is quite smart.

I would love a well fitting & good quality leather saddle but don't have the funds at the moment & as she is fine in what she is in I don't see the need to change it. She has regular checks with a saddler to make sure it still fits correctly & no problems so far.

Mine is flocked & I have heard bad things about air panels so I would steer clear of that but guess it depends on the individual.
 
Much more limited range of fittings with synthetics so that must be your first consideration. I find my Wintec good for riding position. Prefer the CAIR panels as they have a less convex profile and settle better onto horse's back. Still prefer leather but I LOVE my plastic job on days like this!
 
If your daughter is quite young you might like to bear in mind that leather saddles are very heavy for small children to lift, and then they need help with tacking up. A synthetic is easier to clean as well. I have seen so many children sloshing far too much water over nice leather saddles!
 
Wintecs have very bananna shaped trees and do not fit many horses i had one for my TBx was told it fitted but it didnt and has given my horse muscle wastage, ive since bought a saddle company saddle.
 
Depends on the horse. Wintecs are made for TB type horses - the panels are very narrow and suit the sloped back of a true TB type. On a flat cob they rock front and back and side to side.

Thorowgoods are much better, and you can get different types depending on the horse. They also have adjustable FISH inserts etc.

Second hand SC saddles can be purchased and retemplated by a fitter. Ebay is quite good to find them, but because of their adjustability there are less on the second hand market (not many horses will outgrow them!).

I used a thorowgood on my youngster whilst I was waiting for my SC to be made. I had everything adjusted to fit him - girth strap length, position, seat etc. I have also had to adjust the thing so many times, as he is constantly changing shape and keeps on growing (he was looking alarmingly bum high today!) For my anglo who came to my with horrendous muscle wastage and later sustained a severe back injury (not riding related) I wouldnt use anything except a SC as the serge panels are so forgiving. His topline has improved no end over the last 3 months and the difference is amazing.

Perhaps the best idea is to get a saddle fitter out who has a range of second hand leather saddles as well as new synthetic and then you can try them all to see which one fits best.
 
I bought a 17 1/2 inch black thoroughgood GP when I first had my horse. I used it while I was getting to know him doing a bit of everything as I had had a break from riding and was getting back into it!
I found it ok but now Im starting to compete again I have purchased a good leather event saddle...well okay Mummy did !!
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and I will be looking for a good home for the synthetic!
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