Wintec 500 Flock or Cair - advice please

horse_lover

horse_lover

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I collected my new horse on Friday so now shopping around for relevant bits and in need of a saddle. Due to the condition he is in and the fact he has done very little work I was looking at a Wintec, purely so I can change the gullet accordingly. I would probably only be using one for the first 6-12mths. Does anyone have any experiences of them good or bad? Which one is better Cair or flocked? Thanks
 
Much prefer flocking, not a huge fan of Cair!

Although, tbh I cant remember why.. Saddler did give me reason not to like them and I've just stuck to that since! :o :eek:
 
Ive got a wintec 500 cair, which I bought when I had my young cob as I knew he would change shape. Ive never had any problems with it regarding fitting and he seems to go well in it. Think its meant to distribute the weight more evenly and you certainly see no marks on his back when I take it off. Personally, I dont find it the most comfy of saddles to ride on, I much prefer my leather one, but it works for him, so I can live with it! Hope this helps.
 
Yeah thats great thank you, my other horse has a lovely comfortable leather saddle and I will definately get my new chap one that fits perfectly, just didnt want to spend huge amounts of money on one when he will change shape. I think a Wintec will be the best choice short term :)
 
You'll find the interchangable gullets really useful, think we got through pretty much the whole range in the process of him maturing and getting muscle. I was going to do exactly the same as you and get him a leather saddle later, but he still changes shape through the year so 5 years later ive still got the synthetic one. Think its Bates who do the leather version of the wintec saddle with the gullet changes ... they looked really nice and comfy but id spent all my pennies buying him, so had to go for the cheaper option!
Best wishes
Rose
 
I've had a range of Wintecs, the old 500 in Cair, the old 2000 in flock and in Cair and just arrived yesterday, the new 500 in Cair (not tried on yet). I've seen people say they find the Cair panels rock hard, but that's not my experience. Both my Wintecs are 17.5", exactly the same, except one is flock and one is Cair. The Cair one does feel slightly softer, a bit more "give", when you squish it with your fingers.

However, I can't tell the difference when riding, and my horse doesn't seem to go any differently either.

I do much prefer the Wintec 2000 over the 500 though... the seat and girth straps are much nicer. Or the Thorowgood T4 is another good alternative.
 
Even if you do get a saddle with a changable gullet (whatever make), still get it fitted by a saddler.

Some horses really don't like Cair panels and will buck in them but be fine in exactly the same saddle with flock- I know a couple of people who got the saddler to remove the Cair panels and replace them with flocking. Both of the horses in question had developed pressure points infront of and behind the rider.

Think of it this way... if you squash the middle of a balloon, the top and bottom of the balloon (where you aren't putting pressure) expands. Now imagine that your hand is your bottom and that the balloon is a Cair saddle panel and you can see how the pressure points were infont and behind the rider.

The other air panelled system (Flair) can have the amount of air in the panels changed and this seems to help prevent this problem of pressure points as long as everything is properly adjusted.
 
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