Western saddle girthing question

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JCWHITE

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For a complete Western novice who is considering a Wintec Western All rounder.
Anyone advise me, how many girths do you use? one or two?
Is this saddle a sensible option for the first timer in terms of price and weight?
Thank you, need to find out in a hurry!
 
The wintec is nice and light, but if you are considering anything other than hacking I would be wary - our instructor says that they don't let you put your leg in the right place. I would contact a WES instructor to see if they know of any S/H leather ones if you are on a tight budget.
Girth wise, you don't need a back cinch unless you are roping or riding over very rough terrain.
We like tubular neoprene cinches - string ones are best avoided as they can make them sore, but some people prefer the flat neoprene ones like the professionals choice.
It's always worth investing in good quality western kit as it lasts so well and doesn't need a lot of looking after.
Hope this is helpful - do PM me if you need more advice.
 
I've not been overly impressed with the western Wintec's I've sat in, I'm sorry to say, and I'm generally okay with their english saddles as a viable cheap option so it's not an anti-synthetic bias.

How does anyone find a western saddle here though? In North America you just walk into a shop but I've only SEEN one western saddle not on a horse since I moved here.

Be aware too, that while western saddles are generally a more generic fit, there are different bars (and sizes, obviously) for differently shaped horses so you can't necessarily just get one and assume it will fit any horse you get later.

A good western saddle is fabulous to ride in, a bad one is hellish!
 
I ended up ordering a Wintec western as I struggled to find a decent western saddle that fitted and was down a lot of money after a good saddle I imported transpired not to be sized as advised. Anyhoos, I didn't like the wintec. It was stiff and bridged; not sure what it would have fitted tbh. I know they are popular 1) for price and 2) for weight.

There is a western saddler who travels practically the whole of the UK but no idea about 2nd hand stock. If you google The Western Saddler and I think her name is Maria Owens.

I ended up templating my mare and sending it to sellers on eBay. I found a cracking Circle Y that fitted like a dream that way.

Most of the western riding places like Oakridge and Sovereign have tack shops on site so should be able to advise.

Another option is to contact your local WES area for advise and to check their for sale items.

Every so often a bargain will come up on eBay but you have to know what you're looking for and not be fobbed off with the cheap tat.

There is a western saddle fitting book & DVD by Dr Joyce Harman that are definitely worth a read and a watch if you are fitting your own for the first time.

Yet another option might be to contact Tally Wade who is the editor of Western Horse UK either through the magazine site or Facebook. There is a classified section in the magazine and there have been several articles on saddle fitting so she will be able to direct you to the relevent back issues.

Facebook is a pretty handy tool too. The western community is growing on there and very well networked. I think this is the lady I bought my saddle from and she's now opened a western tack shop http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/openrangeequine/

Happy shopping

ETA - in reply to your original question I'd say just one cinch. Back cinches are generally used for extreme trail riding and roping. For general western riding (trail, pleasure, horsemanship and reining) then one cinch should be enough.
 
Thank you all so much for your very helpful replies, just what I was after.
Have been offered the saddle to try for 24 hours, I will book my second session hopefully to tie in.
The horse is a smallish young horse,hence the weight consideration, cant see myself making Western my main activity ,hence the price bracket,but do a lot of Rallies so comfort is important.Good tip about the girth.
Wont be doing any cow work and competitions are too far away.
As I am abroad I have to go with whats on the internet,but have found a super trainer nearby.
Thank you all again,
 
Not sure where "abroad" is but I'd reckon every other european country, USA & Australia are more advanced with western than the UK so you should have better luck than us here when it comes to selection.

Good luck with the trial and your second training session.
 
Major dislike of Western Wintec saddles. Honestly, if you can find a leather one that will fit for not too much more I think it is worth the extra $$.

Weight of a leather one shouldn't be an issue to your horse, and if you are worried introduce it slowly. Also you will develop very impressive arm muscles lugging it around ;)
 
Its France, such a huge country with for example, shows being a minimum of 3 hours away in this discipline.Western is going to be a pleasure hobby type thing.
Fortunately I can train 6 miles up the road, so thats a result in itself.

One more thing, does this Wintec model have the Bars, like quarter horse , or is it all one fitting?
What would be the equivalent in inches for the rider, say 17 to 18 uk size?

I will bear in mind what you say and have registered with an informative USA website, called, I think, the Western store.There are lots of topics for the beginner on there.
In the meanwhile, thankyou all again for your time and expertise.Appreciated.
 
I sell a lot of Wintec's (consignment store) so used.

Most are semi bars, full barsare usually a 'special order'. One thing to watch for when fitting is that the trees have a lot of 'give' in them. They always spring back but really watch how much the fit changes after about 20 mins of riding.

Back rigging should never be required to make a saddle fit ie. hold the back down. If the back of the saddle is raised the saddle does'nt fit.
Back rigging is required for stability in athletic use, cow sports, riding in rugged terrain, barrel racxing, games etc.
That said, some people won't ride without it but it's not necessary for schooling or light work.

Good luck with your western riding! :)
 
My thanks to all of you once more.
Some food for thought there, esp re the rigging, my word a whole new world of terminology to learn!
Training and saddle booked for Friday all being well
and have found a Western "rodeo show and exhibition" fairly nearby for this weekend.
Watch this space!
 
Also, the Italians are big into their AQHAs and reining at least seems to be gaining ground in Holland and Germany, so you might have some luck sourcing western tack from other places on the Continent.

Good luck. I miss riding western - I grew up with it in British Columbia, and have only done it on and off since but I miss having the opportunity when I feel like it!
 
Have been watching Reining Champs from Italy on FEI tv video. its was from 2009 I think.
Breaking news, going to a Rodeo Show tomorrow,(whatever that means), so might get the chance to do some "shopping", anyway, will be looking at the tack in detail.
 
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