Feedack on Wintec 2000 saddles? Other suggestions?

[Lauren]

I’m considering getting another saddle, primarily for trail riding, hacking, and messing around. I’m currently using my dressage saddle for this, but it’s not the best suited (I’d like something that allows me to ride with slightly shorter stirrup length) and I don’t like it taking it in rivers, through mud, etc. as it always gets messy. My horse is a TB, but not the narrow/high withered kind… not impossible to fit, but not the easiest either. I want something comfortable (of course :lol) for both of us. I’m not doing really long rides… couple hours here and there, hacking, hunter paces, maybe I’d like to try CTR someday?

I’m considering a Wintec 2000… I’ve sat in them and they seem comfy enough for me, and I love that I could get it dirty/muddy and not have to worry. I like the fake suede rather than the equileather. I like the thought of the gullet being somewhat adjustable. I’m not sure about the CAIR panels… I’d prefer flocked ones, but they’re hard to come by (not even sure they still market them in the US). I’m hoping to find a good deal on a used saddle, and I need a particular size (17.5, the 17" just wasn’t comfortable for me) so I don’t know if I’ll be able to find a flocked one. Any input on this saddle? Is the CAIR really bad?

What about the Wintec Endurance saddles? I sat in one and wasn’t totally impressed… I think I’d like something with a bit of a knee roll, which it didn’t seem to have.

Other suggestions? I liked the thought of a treeless, but there’s no way for me to try one without officially taking one on trial and I’m just not sure it’ll work for me. Also, they don’t seem to recommend jumping in them, and I want something I can jump in if I want or need to.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions

[Here_Comes_Luther]

I can’t answer on the 2000, but I have the wintec 500. I love the Cair panels, and my horse seems to as well.

And I love being able to hose it off! I say go for it!

[Kellye]

I have an older Wintec 2000 without Cair

You have a PM

[twofatponies]

I have a Wintec all purpose with CAIR. It is comfortable, easy to maintain and fits my horse. My only issue with it is I wonder sometimes if it is too light? Is that possible? That because it doesn’t really have much substance, it tends to flex and wiggle on my horse’s back more than a solid heavy leather saddle would? My horse has not been sore (in a year of using this saddle for trail riding and ring work), but I wonder if over longer distances she would benefit from a sturdier saddle to distribute weight more effectively?

[Romantic_Rider]

My Mom rode endurance all last year in a Wintec 500 with Cair. It’s light weight and comfortable I guess. I ride endurance in a Wintec Endurance, which I think is a fantastic saddle. I’ve had it for three or four years and it’s gotten some really rough usage, and several complete soakings. It hardly shows any signs of wear, is light weight, comfortable over long miles, and very secure.

[chicamuxen1]

You may also want to look at the Thorowgood saddles. They are also synthetic and have many models and styles available at decent prices. They have a adjustable system that isn’t replaceable gullets but is small inserts called fish that can be inserted to change the angle of the bars. Dover sells the Thorowgoods in the US.

Bonnie Snodgrass

[sonata]

My friend has the Thorowgood All Purpose purchased from Dover and she loves it. I have the Jill Thomas Endurance model and ditto with it. We both have ridden many hours in our saddles and we are comfy and the horses never seem sore. Never have to worry about water and mud just brushes off when dry.

[KateWooten]

I would go for the thorowgood over the wintec, I have a particular concern over the wintec and will send you a PM. If you like jumping though, I’d go ahead and invest in a good used jumping / event / close contact saddle and then use it on trails. They’re built to take a beating, and honestly, you’re not saving much on the synthetics against a good used leather saddle, and the wintec doesn’t really wear that well with hard riding.

[jumpingpercheron]

I LOVE my Wintec Wide. It can take a beating and is comfortable for hours.

[Diamond_Jake]

[QUOTE=sonata;3097810]
My friend has the Thorowgood All Purpose purchased from Dover and she loves it. I have the Jill Thomas Endurance model and ditto with it. We both have ridden many hours in our saddles and we are comfy and the horses never seem sore. Never have to worry about water and mud just brushes off when dry.[/QUOTE]

I am jealous. I sold my Thorowgood Jill Thomas to my best friend because my butt was too big for it! I now cannot find one in a 17 1/2, and they do not make an 18". (Seriously, Diamond Jake, how big IS your butt? :eek:)

I would highly recommend these over Wintec, and their prices are better. Very comfy, light, holds up well under lots of use… cannot say enough good things about them.

[islandrider]

Before I went treeless I rode in an older wintec 2000 and LOVED it! For every reason, all the time, any weather. Can’t go wrong. I switched because as my horse got back into shape his back changed so much that the saddle didn’t fit anymore. I say 100% thumbs up to the wintecs. BTW, you can jump in a few treeless saddles, check out the yahoo treeless forum for more specific info.

[Nezzy]

i trail ride in my Wintec 2000. i have a the gullet kit to change the size, have done it once, and found it easy once i figured it out. i LOVE the cair panels, so does my horse, it is a great saddle, i love it.

[Corbyville283]

Wintec 2000

I jump, play at dressage and trail ride in my Wintec 2000. What I really like about it aside from the fact that you can just wipe it off is that with the suedelike seat it gives me some extra stickyness in case of unexpected spooks, deeks, or movements. It’s light enough in weight that I can manage to get it on my 17.1 hand percheron filly with much less hassle that the heavy western saddle. Love the saddle.

[Lauren]

Thanks everyone I found a Wintec 2000 w/ CAIR. I haven’t ridden in it, but looking at it from the ground (on my horse’s back) it looks VERY promising. It just sits really nicely on him, with plenty of clearance everywhere he needs it. If it’s half as good to ride in, I’ll be a happy camper. Thanks again!

[Nezzy]

the first ride felt strange, but every ride thereafter was better. it is a different feeling with the cair panels at first, but i love it.

[KarenC]

For those of you with Thorowgood saddles, do you know of a US distributor of the endurance model that will allow a trial? Or, a US distributor of the endurance model period? I cannot for the life of me find one.