Wintec 500 or wintec 2000

[E_Lister]

I am looking in to buying a wintec saddle and hav found that the best two are the 500 and the 2000. However apart from the price difference I can't see much difference. Can anyone help?

 

[hellybelly6]

I think the 2000 was slightly better quality with the equisuede seat and a slightly deeper seat. Otherwise, there isnt really a lot of difference.

I found Wintecs tip forward on my horse and also tip me forward.

If you go for a wintec, go for flocking rather than cair. I found the cair hard and unyielding.

 

[Abbeygale]

The 2000 has the equisuede seat - which after having a 2000 and then riding in a 500 - I wouldn't go back to a 500.

The other main difference that I found between them was the girth straps - the 500 had really horrid plasticy girth straps that were really diffiult to do up. THe 2000 has nice straps that are flexible and easy to use.

I agree with the going with the flock wintec. I have had cair before, and just brought a flock wintec dressage saddle, and my horse definitely prefers it.

Personally I would go for the 2000 - I think it is worth the extra bit of money myself.

 

[rlhnlk]

The 2000 is better quality and has a grippier seat. I find cair tended to be a bit bouncy and not so secure plus make sure it fits properly and doesn't tip you forward as this will destabilise your position and pobably hurt your horse in the long run.

 

[algy666]

I have had a flocked 2000 for 6 years, and I would definitely recommend it. Not such a fan of the 500, my friend has one on her ponio, and I didn't find it as nice to ride in.

 

[GoldenWonder]

i have a wintec 2000 and love it !!

my mum has the 500 but prefers the 2000! lol

 

[Bowen4Horses]

2000! defo! they rock! x

 

[tabithakat64]

Have a 500, love it also like the 2000. Don't go for CAIR though.

 

[RachelB]

I HATE the 500, but I LOVE my 2000! The only real way to find out is to try them both - they do fit slightly differently so one may fit your horse and the other may not

Ditto tabithakat, don't get cair

 

[E_Lister]

Thanks for all your help, I have ridden in the 500 but not the 2000 and also with and without cair (although the cair was in a Bates saddle). Really I just want something comfy and easy to ride in. Does anyone have any reccomendations for other cheaper saddles?

 

[Scarlett]

I'd definately go for the 2000 over the 500, much comfier and really puts you in a good position. I had one for my TB but sadly it doesnt fit him and I am having to sell it - will be sad to see it go though, I really did enjoy riding in it!

 

[sachak]

2000

 

[RachelB]

You can pick up some bargains on eBay for Wintecs - I got my 2000 brand spanking new (just smelt a bit of cigarettes but I aired it out and it's gone now!) for £150.

 

[BeckyD]

The 2000 is muh nicer and stickier, whereas the 500 is very slippy. I had CAIR and thought it was great.

 

[Helenabbey]

Bargain alert! I have a Wintec 500 on ebay. Its going to go cheaply and is in great condition. This is the CAIR one and I found it fine to ride in. It also does not smell of cigarettes.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=260393810448

 

[Coffee_Bean]

2000 not cair.

 

[Kallibear]

The saddle's are exactly the same, they just have different covering. I'd always go for the 2000 however - nicer seat and the girth straps are leather.

However, does the wintec fit your horse? Just because the gullet is changable doesn't meant they fit every or even most horses. In fact, I've yet to see a single horse the wintec is a good fit on. They are rubbish on wide or flat horses.

As for cair or flock cair is fine if it fits pefectly (and it has to be absolutly perfect), but otherwise it makes them sore. The air bags keep springing back into the not-quite-right shape and never bed down like flock does.