Wintec GP saddle problems - lower leg moves a lot

C

Cor

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 September 2011
Messages
100
Visit site
Hi all,

I have the Wintec GP 500 saddle, and for some reason my lower leg moves an awfully lot, that much that i go into the armchair position!

Does anybody else have the same problems? In general, GP saddles have the stirrups more towards the front of the saddle, compared to the proper dressage saddles right??


If nobody has the same problem, then perhaps it is my position that is wrong....



Thanks a lot

Corina
 
GiddyUpGirl said:
are your stirrups too long? You can buy bigger knee blocks which may help your leg position?
Click to expand...

I only leave them long for flatwork and dressage, for jumping i make them shorter, perhaps i should try a couple of holes shorter.... But i do think GP saddles are closer to jumping saddles than dressage saddles...
 
I did actually mean to write shorter rather than longer. Doh ;). I had an Isobel wintec which was brill and had mahoosive knee blocks plus setback stirrup bars which gave u a lovely seat and stuck like poo to a blanket! I always preferred my Isobell to my w2000. Is the seat big enough or even too big maybe why you're feeling in the wrong position?
 
I ride in one of these and my leg doesnt move at all. If its moving in rising trot you're not using your knees
 
Yes, I get this with one of the horses I ride. I have to scoot my bum as far forward as possible in the saddle so that the stirrup leathers are correct for my leg position. If I sit further back my leg gets pulled forward and makes it hard to rise correctly in trot and more inclined to swing in canter. There's an equation I found somewhere on the Internet about thigh length and saddle size. My thighs are long compared to my lower leg so this is part of my problem I think.
 
For me the stirrup bars were to far forward which would make my leg shoot forward. I exchanged it for an equxtra with bigger knee rolls and thigh ? Rolls. I feel much more stable in it that in the wintec.
 
I have the same saddle ( came with the horse ) and I have the same problem, but I just put it down to my appalling riding! :rolleyes:

I have to say, I find the saddle really uncomfortable, and would love to change it, but my OH finds it ok - must be me!
 
My saddler says that she hates them because they put everyone into that position. She says she can spot someone who is used to riding in a wintec from a mile away, even when riding in a different saddle!
 
It's due to the placement of the stirrup bars in relation to the seat. They're too far forwards and you end up fighting for a heel/hip alinement. It's the reason people like Heather Moffet designed their own stirrup placement (although she's gone to the opposite extreme).

I have a very secure leg position but still find myself fighting in a wintec 500. Bloody horrible saddles, for the rider AND the horse!
 
Thanks guys, sorry to say that I am glad other people too blame the saddle, as I actually think my seat is decent.... When I use a string to attach the stirrups a bit to the other side, my girl goes marvelously!! As soon as I remove the string (that helps keep the leg in the right place) she goes crazy....

Any suggestions which saddles I should go for?? Never a GP again.. either a proper dressage or a proper jumping one...

As my focus is on dressage, would you recommend the Isabell Wintec Dressage Saddle??

Thanks again....
 
As far as getting a new saddle goes, by far your best bet is to get a good saddle fitter, that comes highly reccomended by several people. They should be able to bring out a wide selection of saddles to suit your budget from which you can decide which fits both you and your horse best.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top