Wintec saddles - confused

Cop-Pop

Cop-Pop

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Can anyone give me some information/help with Wintec saddles? Firstly - what's this Cair thing they keep going on about, and secondly can I adjust the size or do I need to get it done professionally? I keep seeing these size things in shops etc... I'm saving up for one - hopefully the VSD - but I don't want to buy one without knowing anything about them!
 
You can change the gullet your self. You can buy a gauge to measure your horse. Good for a horse that changes shape throughout the year. I don't know much about CAIR as I got it without as I was told that it wasn't very good, but could be wrong.
 
CAIR is when there is air against the horses back instead of traditional flocking. Its supposed to distribute the pressure on the horses back more evenly.

Also yes you can change the gullet yourself but would still recommend a saddle fitter checks it.
 
In a nutshell; they are synthetic saddles, older ones had traditional flocking, newer ones have CAIR which basically air pockets where the flocking used to be. CAIR is quite rigid and has very little give (unlike Flair) so IMO there is very little advantage to it. They can be adjusted to width at home with a screwdriver by undoing the front of the saddle and taking out the metal gullet, these come in sizes from narrow to extra wide so you can put in whatever size you need. Wintec sell a size indicator to help with choosing. Remember though that no matter what you do to the front, the saddle will always be a medium at the back.

You can also buy a Wintec extra wide saddle which is straighter cut and designed for cobby types with no wither and big shoulders

They also do leather saddles, sold under the Bates name which are adjusted in the same way - I think these are better quality and prefer the fit at the back, which is a bit flatter than the Wintec.
 
The adjusting is a bit alarming the first time you try, but actually not that difficult to do. Takes me about 5 minutes now, and I'm not that adept generally!
So far I've loved my wintec VSD with cair and importantly, so have two very different horses in their change from unbroken to eventer and thin baby to muscled up alrounder. But the back is definitely more TB than cob shaped, no matter what you do at the front.
The thing I like best though is that I wash it with a bucket of fairy liquid and warm water, let it drip dry in the garden and it looks like new!
 
I had one for my tb when he was very young then his shape changed the same thing with my welsh cob.Although you can change the gullett it is very important that you get a qualified person to check it fits.The w/cob changed shape dramatically after 6 months and her wintec bruised her back .
Unfortunately she is the wrong shape for a wintec even the extra wide.They dont fit all horses.
I think it s better if can stretch a little bit more and buy a good second hand saddle from a qualified fitter.
 
I was told the gauges you can buy are not accurate and so are a complete waste of money, my horse is aTbx and my wintec has given him very bad muscle wastge and it was checked by a qualified saddle fitter.Ive now bought a saddle company working hunter and the difference in my horse is amazing.Here is a link from another forum about wintecs, interesting stuff http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=133648&page=2
 
Thanks
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