Synthetic Saddles

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sazzle44

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Just wondering what peoples opinions are on synthetic saddles really. The lady I ride for is looking to get a GP/ Jumping Saddle for her horse but with a limited budget (I think about £300 but I don't like to ask too much). She's asked me what I think of synthetic saddles and tbh I have no idea what they're like nowadays. Only experience I've had was when I was about 8 and the pony was hideous to ride anyway!
So yeahh, any thoughts would be much appreciated on best brands, if they're comfortable for horse and rider, how well they last and most of all are they worth it or would she be better to just get a nice second hand leather saddle? :) thanks for reading guys xx
 
I'd 100 times rather have a good Wintec or Thoroughgood than a 2nd hand saddle at the same price. The good synthetics are much more forgiving and can be adjusted to the horse if his shape changes. They're nice to ride in, too, and no longer look cheap and nasty.
 
I bought my first one earlier this year, and I'll be interested to see how it wears as old ones look awful! The one I have is a Thorowgood endurance saddle for my cob. I do really like the ability to change and fit the gullet and the fish inserts to have a proper fit for what is sometimes a difficult type to saddle properly. It's a very, very comfortable saddle and has a nice spring in the seat (though bear in mind this is an endurance saddle), I personal really like the suede on it which is great for a bit of extra stick-ability without being too sticky to move correctly. Only thing I might do is replace the girth straps because they are synthetic they are a bit stiff and again with the old ones I've seen them deteriorate. Love the lightness of it and would say overall they are well worth a go as either a cheaper main saddle or second saddle for a part time pursuit.
 
thanks for your responses :) I think she's interested in a synthetic because she wants it to go on her youngster when she comes to breaking him in so she likes the idea of the changeable gullet etc. The horse is also VERY cold backed, I don't know if a lighter saddle would make much difference to this or not :/
I just don't like the horrid plastic girth straps (dont appear very safe to me) and the fact the ones I've seen never really come up really clean. He's grey and I just think all the hairs would show! lol
 
Oh had a thorowgood GP. He is hugely snobby about having a leather saddle so this was a big step!! He actually admitted that it was v comfy to ride in, felt secure, and most importantly it fitted his mare well. Coming from him that is a big admission!! The girth straps (on the thorowgood at least) are leather which is a big plus for me. The wintecs have a banana shaped tree which suits v few horses well.
If the horse is cold backed I would consider getting a physio or vet out. There is a reason to be cold backed - whether that be current pain or discomfort from an injury/imbalance/tack, or remembered pain.
It is worth bearing in mind that just because the gullet is adjustable it doesn't mean that the saddle will def fit as the horse changes shape. The gullet is just one part of the equation. Of course it does make it more likely to fit if your horse simply becomes broader. They do seem to hold their price reasnobly though so even if it didn't fit as the horse changed shape you would be able to get a decent amount back for it.
 
I like them and have two, but echo the comment above about the girth straps,they are hard and I dont like them, but otherwise I like the saddles and woulds buy again.
 
My Thorowgood high wither one has leather girth straps and seems a big improvement to the older model I had previously for about 6 years. I chose it for the lightweight as my horsey has back issues so I want as little weight as possible for her and I am very happy with my saddle so far.
 
... can I just add that the replacable gullets and fish etc should never replace the saddle fitter and that the saddle fit should ALWAYS be checked by a professional when altered. Having a horse with severe back problems presumably related to ill fitting or bad tack in her past I would never attempt to change my Thorowgood single handedly...
 
I love mine - I have a Wintec and it's been great with my young TB whose back has changed a lot. I agree with UKa about saddle fitters - I regularly consult mine - but my horse loves the saddle and moves out really well with it. And I find it very comfortable and good looking too.
 
Its not that she wants to change the gullet if it doesn't fit that particular horse and I would assume she would have a proper fitter out. The idea of a changeable gullet is so when it comes to breaking in her foal she wouldn't have all the hassle of selling one and buying another, but I don't really know tbh. She is very conscientious about getting his back checked by the physio, but its one of those things he's always done and at 17 its a difficult thing to change. I was just wondering if a lighter saddle may help this affliction, I'm not suggesting it would cure it! Obviously wouldn't be trying to change a saddle personally, I'm pretty sure it would devalue it even more lol I'm also pretty sure he won't change shape hugely as he's 17 and won't be doing anything different to what he does now. :)
 
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