Has anyone ever rode in/own(ed) the Wintec 500 Dressage?

[bryn]

I have owned a 500 with CAIR for about 4 years and every horse I have used it on went quite well in it. . . including two very sensitive backed horses. My equine chiro is quite a fan of WINTEC saddles. It is his number one saddle choice for a variety of disciplines.

While I do covet a fancy high end dressage saddle from time to time, my Wintec 500 gets the job done, my horses all seem to like it, and it is a breeze to take care of.

I put regular leathers on mine instead of using the Wintec"leathers". You can’t see any difference.

When it is new it will squeak. Don’t dispair. It goes away.

[SillyHorse]

@FlCountryGirl89;3013176

It’s the saddle I’m looking at to get for show.

Are you planning to use a different saddle for showing than for everyday schooling? That’s not a great idea. Find a saddle you like, that fits your horse and you well, and use it for schooling and showing. Wintecs are fine saddles, but like any other make, yours needs to fit you and your horse.

[txladybug]

My instructor is a long time saddle fitter. I am taking low level dressage lessons to improve my riding in other disciplines. She didn’t like me using my Wintec because she demonstrated to me that the tree has a lot of flex and she has seen it hurt numerous horses backs. She is letting me borrow properly fitting tack for our lessons. Any thoughts on her observations about Wintec saddles?

[Regal_Grace]

Two Saddle Fitters and Equine P/T…

recommened using a Wintec or Bates for my horse based on their own experince. Particularly the Wintec for my mare but also suggested certain Crosby models and Black Country. My orginal saddle was a Stubben Roxane which I loved. Unfortunately even trying different tree sizes not work out for my mare. I orginally dismissed Wintec but after trying a lot of saddles which were priced between $1.5k-2.2K that did not work for me or my mare. I finally tried the Wintec. I’ve had my Wintec 2000 for 8 months and ride on average 3x a week. She rides better, strides out more and is back to jumping. So much so that I am going to try out close contact version Wintec Pro Jump. My instructor schools her had to admit she goes better in my Wintec than his Stubben Edleweiss or other saddles that he has in his barn (and he was NO fan of Wintec) For him riding in the 2000 feels like jumping in a dressage saddle so I figure I would try a demo and if it works buy it for my instructor to use.

Wintec and or Bates (with CAIR or Non-Cair) are not the be all and end all for saddle fitting problems but it does work for many people. The CAIR system has been out for about 7yrs (I think) and if it was really that bad they would not still be pushing it. Lots of people rave about Buet and Devoucoux. I have ridden in both and honestly did nothing for me or my mare. But it makes other peoples tushes smile : ) County and Black Country were very good but the Wintec worked just as well and I saved a lot of $$ especially since I don’t show that much. Believe me I love a beautifully made leather saddle (I drool over them at Rolex) and a Wintec is the last thing I thought I would end up with but it’s been great so far. So if it’s not broke don’t fix it because saddle shopping is a pain in the a@$$ ; )

[hluing]

I bought a 500 used on ebay…no cair (I wanted flocked panels) and wide tree (but gullets can be changed). I bought it for starting my pony babies…and it is working out just fine. To me there is no comparison between a Wintec and a quality leather saddle…but it is durable and allows me to be in a much more forward and light seat with the babies without getting “stuck” in a deep seat and thigh blocks.

[canadiandressagediva]

I have a friend that has the Wintec 500 and I really don’t like the position that it puts my legs in. The stirrup bars are too far forward for me. I wasn’t able to have a straight line through ears, hips, heels in this saddle without working really hard to maintain it. I much prefer the deeper seat and set back stirrup bars of the Isabell which is what I own. I feel like it helps my position instead of hindering it! I know some people who do not like the deep seat of the Isabell though so it’s pretty much whatever you are comfortable in!

[TBrescue]

[QUOTE=sidepasser;3015735]
I.

The most comfortable saddle I have EVER rode in was a County though…gee, I was in lust…so soft, the twist was perfect and it was an eventing saddle sigh. I wonder if their dressage saddles feel as wonderful?

But I do love leather and will be looking over the summer at leather saddles. Guess I am a leather snob at heart.[/QUOTE]

I agree with the County being the MOST comfortable saddle around. I am also a leather snob, would not consider a synthetic saddle. Look on Ebay and other used saddles websites, you can do lots better than the wintec pro with a quality used saddle for the same $$$