Wintec or Thorowgood?

H

HaffiesRock

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 August 2011
Messages
4,735
Visit site
I am in the market for a new saddle, but my pony is a flat backed Haffy. I don't have tons of money to spend and ideally would like an interchangeable gullet so it can be adjusted easily when needed.

Now a lot of people on my yard have Wintec's and they just seem so heavy and hard! I do have an acavallo seat saver for my bum though. I need a 16 inch seat or max of 16.5.

I quite like the Shires Optimus or Devon also but have not seen or tried one of these.

Any suggestions or recommendations?

Thanks
 
I have a flat backed haffy and the Wintec Wide fits perfectly, but I would buy a New Wintec Wide (much softy in seat and flocking ) if I could as I have a "New" for my TB and I love it! But I also have a Thorowgood dressage saddle for my haffy and not a Cob one and that fits well... It all depends upon the horse :) Both are good saddles for the money.
 
Iv got a thorowgood t4 dressage saddle I adore. I would give my right arm (and quite possibly the left too) for the gp version. The seat is lovely and soft and it can be adjusted with the gullet, fish system and the knee blocks move. I do everything in it, including jump as the knee blocks can be moved to make them suited to this. I much prefer thorowgoods to wintecs.
 
Its such a hard choice! Shame there isnt somewhere you can go to try them all out!

Rideaway do a 10 minute ride, so if you dont like it you can send it back, but I still have to make that initial choice! Ha ha x
 
Clava said:
I have a flat backed haffy and the Wintec Wide fits perfectly, but I would buy a New Wintec Wide (much softy in seat and flocking ) if I could as I have a "New" for my TB and I love it! But I also have a Thorowgood dressage saddle for my haffy and not a Cob one and that fits well... It all depends upon the horse :) Both are good saddles for the money.
Click to expand...

Clava, what seat size do you use? x
 
SpottyFalula said:
Its such a hard choice! Shame there isnt somewhere you can go to try them all out!

Rideaway do a 10 minute ride, so if you dont like it you can send it back, but I still have to make that initial choice! Ha ha x
Click to expand...

I use ebay to try this out! never lost money on a saddle I've bought and got some real bargains, but my Wintec New I did buy new.

Agree with Grumpy J - my T4 dressage is very comfy.

For me the most important thing is the fit for the horse, any comfort for me is just a bonus and as haflingers can be tricky to get a good fit that has always been my first priority.
 
SpottyFalula said:
Clava, what seat size do you use? x
Click to expand...

Hattie takes 17 or 17.5 (but has a long back and recently I was amazed to find that a 18' Saddle COmpany dressage wasn't too long for her). My Wintec Wide is 17.5 and I like it :) my TB's Wintec is 17 and doesn't feel much smaller... The T'Good is 17.5 :)
 
I used to work in a riding stables who used both these makes and I'd say go for Thorowgood every time, they seem to stay smarter for much longer, maintain there shape and integrity better. Wintecs seemed to go a bit 'soft' after a few years. These saddles were abused far more than any normal privately owned saddles though so maybe in a private home there wouldn't be much comparison.
 
My saddler stocks both brands, so I got him to choose which fit best. I prefer the Thorowgood myself, but have happily used both in the past.
 
Thorowgood is definitely more comfy! I have had wintecs recently only because I have them for backing my youngsters and they are good as they are adjustable and very cheap (just bought a dressage for my new youngster for £130!). I used to have a thorowgood t6 and it was gorgeous and so comfy and when I have the money I will buy a cob jumping one for my extra extra wide spotty boy!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top