Wintec Stirrup Bar Problem Causing Concern!

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Tarandes Bear

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We are currently trying out a Wintec VSD on my Daughter's new Horse. I am currently using a bonded stirrup leather which I've used before on my leather saddle so happy with the leathers, BUT !! On the Wintec the leathers are not attached securely as I'd like them to be. This new 'ergonomic' style stirrup bar does not seem to 'grip' the leathers like it ought to and it's very easy to slide the leathers on and off. I'm very worried the leathers are going to come off mid ride! Have any of you experienced the same? I don't wish to use Wintec leathers as I do not like them. Any suggestions/feedback would be much appreciated - thanks :)
 
Are these the short curved stirrup bars? We have a cob on sales livery with us that has a wintec with these. Scared the life out of me when the stirrup leathers plopped off when the horse shook!! Thankfully not come off riding yet but we are just on flat work with him, I wouldn't want to personally jump in it.
 
Yes, these are the ones! I can virtually 'flick' them off with two fingers! I'm worried sick they are going to come off. I wonder whether they can be changed by a saddler to a more traditional / straighter bar? The saddle itself is fine. Suits our budget (for the minute) and is easy to care for. Hmmm, bit of a worry :-/
 
Bought a Wintec in the summer as new boy still growing. I put my Stubben stirrup leathers on and have flatworked, show jumped and gone XC without them moving.
 
Thanks Bahhumbug! Maybe my leathers are a bit too thick? I have put a new black pair of Kieffer Gladiator (Secu-Material) on and they just do not sit properly. Are your Stubben quite thin? This stirrup bar is curved and straight on the VSD. I'm possibly thinking about changing it and trying the Thorowgood.
 
Id complain to Weatherbeeta ( they are Wintec ) if people dont tell them they wont change the design esp if they think people will stop buying their saddles , also if they say the bar is safe , then at least you have some come back if there was a problem .
 
Id complain to Weatherbeeta ( they are Wintec ) if people dont tell them they wont change the design esp if they think people will stop buying their saddles , also if they say the bar is safe , then at least you have some come back if there was a problem . If you Google weatherbeeta uk their address is there , good to get their reply in black and white !
 
Yes Stubben are relatively thin. They are easy to remove off the saddle to clean, but are very stable and fixed when mounted.

I guess they have been tested to the max in view of H&S rules these days.
 
Have been using wintec and bates for over 10 years, currently using bonded leather, have in the past used the synthetic leathers and normal leathers... Never had any problems whatsoever with loss of leathers. Perhaps wintec/bates have had some issues before though and may be able to help you if you give them a call... You never know
 
I bought a wintec VSD last year, the newer model and had exactly this problem. I had standard leathers on the saddle and they came off twice whilst riding, once whilst i was just walking along. I found it only happened when i fed the end of the leathers thru the new style keeper slots (they are slots in the leather rather than tabs). It didnt happen when i left the ends loose, i assumed it was my leg pulling the leathers back? The stirrup bars are very shallow, and the leathers do slide off very easily. Wasn't a problem if i didn't use the slots and always checked when i was mounted they were positioned as far forward as possible.
 
Thanks for that. Always nice to hear of other peoples experiences. Yes, the dam things have come off again whilst I was walking. The saddle was on loan and has now gone back. I also like to ride quite short and there was no way I could have gone shorter and jumped comfortably in the VSD. I've done a fair bit of digging around and speaking to various professional people/saddlers and I've tried both the Thorowgood T8 and also the GFS Genesis. Both very nice and both fit the horse perfectly. The quality of the T8 (IMO) is superb for the price so I've ordered one. You will be pleased to know the stirrup bar is somewhat 'normal' so no issues in that department !! :)
 
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