Wintec Saddles run out sale, advice please

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JCWHITE

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I live abroad so fitting isnt an option. I have seen an offer on 500 All Purpose, VSD(what does that mean), and 2000 All Purpose saddles.Could I have opinions on suitability for a young horse, hacking, jumping and some flatwork.Also the difference between Cair and flock what would you recommend?
How do I take a measurement of the horse,do I need a metal coat hanger, and then draw the results onto paper?
Thank you in advance, any help appreciated.
JC.
 
Personally, I prefer the flocked models, as they are easier to amend if the horse / rider is not level etc. I have had massive nightmares with Cair. Saying that, a lot of people like the Cair and I suppose it does work if your horse is well put together.

Wintec's don't work on high withered horses or those with a 'sloping' back.

You can adjust them to some extend with the gullet but beware that by doing so, you don't tip the saddle backwards (i.e. bar too tight) or forwards (i.e. bar too low).

As a matter of principle, I like synthetic saddles, as they are light and durable and easy to maintain. Saying that, I moved from Wintec to Thorowgood - simply because they have variety in the 'basic' fit (i.e. Cop, high wither etc.) and the fine tune (all sorts of inserts), which Wintecs just don't have.
 
love my wintec - nice and lightweight but agree with the comments about them not fitting some types of horses.
Luckily mine is what I would class as a nice level horse with a good straight back and normal size withers. I have cair which seems to work for me.

Can you tell us more about your horse - breed, age, size, type of work - any pics?

I *think* wintec can provide you with a size measurer if you ask them nicely - it indicates the size gullet you would require to fit your horses wither.
 
VSD is not very slightly dressage, it is german. The VS stands for vielseitigkeit (versitility) sattel (saddle). So the german version of our general purpose or GP saddle is vielseitigkeitsattel or VS. Hence a VSS is a GP with a jumping tendency and a VSD is a GP with a dressage bias.

As for a wintec for a young horse, no i would choose another make. there is more to saddle fit than just changing the gullet. Most young horses have undevloped backs and the tree on a wintec rises at the back, so you have a horse in one direction and the saddle shaped away fom it. They are just not compatible.

If you measure your horse this needs to be done behind the shoulder blades but that gives just one measurement. What about the rest of the saddle? If you cant try it then i wouldnt buy it!
 
I also live abroad and buy Wintecs for the same reason - it's all very well 'flock being easier to adjust' but only if you can find some one to re-flock it!!!! Fitting a saddle to your horse and not you is considered to be one step away from the local looney bin over here.

I have a WIntec 2000 medium gullet on my 15.2hh medium build gelding a VSD (very slightly dressage) medium gullet on my 16hh flatter backed anglo arab (both saddles do fit both horses pretty well, which is the best I can hope for in this country). Both of them are Cair.

I like the 2000 (which comes with additonal removeable knee blocks) for schooling, jumping and hacking (and I do long distances). THe VSD I bought as the package was on sale and it was cheap!!!! We use it for my OH to hack and school.

Roody2 - Unfortunately, Wintec will SELL you a gullet sizer if you pay them nicely
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Gullets are always available on E-bay - and if anyone has a blue medium wide one they are prepared to sell, please PM me
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[ QUOTE ]
VSD is not very slightly dressage, it is german. The VS stands for vielseitigkeit (versitility) sattel (saddle). So the german version of our general purpose or GP saddle is vielseitigkeitsattel or VS. Hence a VSS is a GP with a jumping tendency and a VSD is a GP with a dressage bias.

As for a wintec for a young horse, no i would choose another make. there is more to saddle fit than just changing the gullet. Most young horses have undevloped backs and the tree on a wintec rises at the back, so you have a horse in one direction and the saddle shaped away fom it. They are just not compatible.

If you measure your horse this needs to be done behind the shoulder blades but that gives just one measurement. What about the rest of the saddle? If you cant try it then i wouldnt buy it!

[/ QUOTE ]

agree.

However, if there is no local saddle fitter then you are pretty much relying on your own expertise and a bit of help.

What breed is your horse? Can you describe its back conformation? As a basic rule, wintecs fit TB types better (sloping back, decent wither) and really shouldnt be set on more than a wide as the back of the panels are too narrow for any horse requiring a wider gullet. Flock is easier to adjust than Cair and less likely to go wrong.

agree though, if you are looking for a sythnetic I would go with a thorowgood. The new ones have adjustable gullets and shims (FISH system) as well as different girthinig arrangements and there are also 3 trees depending on back conformation.
 
OK, much food for thought there and very informative answers. Thank you all for taking the time.
Filly is Selle Francais cross Spanish,15.1hh now, 3 and a half yrs.
I think she is quite narrow at the moment,and follows the SF, more breedy in build.The owners tell me that her garrot, wither, hasnt risen yet, hence my indecision.
Schooling jumping and hacking quite long distances, the same as ChicoMio does, are my aims.
I will reread your preferences again,and lightness is one consideration, in this instance, synthetic will be ok,and price is a factor, as is time to look and choose!.
Thank you again
JC
 
Like CBAnglo said, they are TB saddles for the TB back - where their back just in front of the loins are very sloped. For flat backed horses the panels slope too much and the outside edge digs in badly. You can usually tell a horse who wears one by the 'dents' in their back! Plus the tree becomes too curved as is widens.

I too would go for a throwogood saddle. The newer ones have a changable gullet like wintecs and they have a couple of different tree and panel types to suit most backs. If you could take measurments and pictures, i'd imagine Thorowgood would be able to advise you directly.
 
Oh yes another thing, if you get a synthetic saddle that doesn't have a 'suede' type seat (the 2000 does), get a suede seat saver. The VSD (smooth synthetic seat) is incredibly slippery and makes your backside sweat if you are in it for any length of time.
 
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