I recently purchased a 2009 wintec pro dressage saddle and I love it. If you aren’t familiar with the new design, the D-rings actually double as the screws that hold the panels on. You unscrew these to change the gullet. One major problem, the horse flipped in it and now one of the D-rings/screws will NOT re-attach to the panel socket threads. The threads weren’t stripped and nothing appears to be damaged, but the socket on the panel will not line up with the hole that the D-ring/screw goes through. I changed the gullet out to make sure the gullet wasn’t bent in the accident, but now neither of the D-ring/screws line up with the sockets! I used to have one panel attached, one hanging; now I have two panels hanging. Has anyone had similar issues? The company I purchased it from doesn’t think they can help. Do you have any suggestions for reattaching the panels? Even if I have to take it to a saddler and have them permanently attached, I would rather do that than purchase another $900 saddle. Any input would be appreciated.
Have your tack shop order from Weatherbeeta, the dee screws that they use on the Bates Innova. They use the same system but for some reason the screws are longer, that should help you get the thread on the screws to catch in the socket.
I would be VERY concerned that the tree was twisted.
I know they aren’t easy to line up… but they ARE easier than the old Wintecs.
If it’s that far off… get the tree checked. It might even be covered under warrantee, though I’m not sure if ‘horse on top of saddle’ vs. saddle on top of horse will void the warrantee…
I would absolutely not use it until having the tree checked. :uhoh:
The title makes it sound like you think there is a problem with the model of saddle but the saddle was damaged when the horse flipped. You should have a saddle fitter check the saddle.
the horse flipped in it and now one of the D-rings/screws will NOT re-attach to the panel socket threads. The threads wer
Send it back to Wintec, there is a 10 year warrantee on the tree.
I would check the fine print on the warranty. An accident like the one you describe may void the warranty on the tree. I agree with the others who say have the tree checked by a saddler. It sounds to me like it may have been damaged. Don’t lose all hope though, I had a HE*& of a time getting my Bates Innova back together after changing the gullets and it was brand new, so hopefully it’s not damaged, maybe just needs a new D-ring or something. I really would not ride in it before you get it checked out though. New saddle is easier then permanently damaged back on a horse.
Definitely Not
[QUOTE=egontoast;4561073]
The title makes it sound like you think there is a problem with the model of saddle but the saddle was damaged when the horse flipped.[/QUOTE]
I definitely don’t think there is a problem with the model. If the problem isn’t fixable, I will be purchasing another exactly like it.
I’ve been in contact with the person who handles warranty issues. The warranty is void. Riding in it is not even an option as it is in multiple pieces on my family room floor. How do I go about finding a qualified saddler to look at it? I live in central Texas and the only tack store within 100miles doesn’t have any suggestions. Is this the sort of issue that I should ship off to a saddler with wintec experience, or will any saddler do? The phone book lists a few western saddlers. I’m afraid I’m extremely ignorant about western saddles and I don’t even know if they have trees like english saddles.
Even if the warranty is void, I would send it back to Wintec and have them check and repair it.
Can you send saddles directly to the company? If so, what address do I send it to? The Wintec website says to “please return the saddle to the stockist from which you purchased it or alternatively your nearest stockist.” That would imply the company I purchased it from. The salesperson I have been speaking to sent an e-mail saying “I just heard back from Weatherbeeta that this is not something they can repair.” That leads me to believe I am on my own in finding a saddler to look at it.
These people are in Vermont, but the lady posts on the UDBB quite often about saddle issues/repairs/fitting and sounds like a VERY knowledgable and qualified saddler. They do work with Wintec saddles also if I’m not mistaken. She may even be able to point in the direction of someone else closer to you if you prefer, but certainly they do work on saddles people ship in to them all the time.
Actually, it sounds like specifically Kitt Hazelton is the best person to contact at Trumbull for your issue:
Wintec honors their warranties and are very easy to work with but it helps to have a reliable saddle fitter/saddle shop to use as your go between. You’ve gotten enough advice.
How’s your horse? Any signs of trauma from flipping? What happened? Sometimes soreness doesn’t show up for a few days.
Let us know how things work out.
Yes, that’s a valid point NCSue about the trauma. My horse slipped and fell in my barn aisle and walked off seemingly unscathed. He started having VAGUE hind end lameness and a general refusal to bend left, bucking when pressing the issue, vet flexed him and he trotted completely sound. I took him to a chiro, and he said his hip was out of adjustment, in correspondence with the side he fell on. Got him adjusted and he was back to his normal self. I would definitely be watching for anything out of whack in your horse even if he’s not obviously lame after the fall.
Is it the new Pro 2009 with Contourblocs? They are new on ebay for $725. You even see ones a few months old for $500-$600, one on ebay right now. So you may be better off money wise replacing it. I ad one of the defectives ones where the size was mislabeled (labeled as a 17 1/2 but measured to be almost 19) Wintec would not take it back for that either. I sold it for $500…only used a dozen times.
Finally getting somewhere…
OK, so I finally got somewhere with the saddle issue today. I drove to Tomball to Charlotte’s Saddlery. Even though I didn’t purchase the saddle there, everyone was more than helpful. I got an earful about purchasing saddles online, but other than that they only offered useful suggestions. They called Weatherbeeta for me and told them everything. Weatherbeeta wants to see the saddle. They won’t charge me for repairs and if it is not fixable, they will replace the saddle. Free of charge. All I paid was the $47 shipping fee. I LOVE WEATHERBEETA. How great is that company?! It was well worth the 6 hours spent in the car.
Thank you to everyone who voiced concern for GusGus. He is totally fine. Fortunately, the only injury was to the saddle.
[QUOTE=LEL;4571960]
OK, so I finally got somewhere with the saddle issue today. I drove to Tomball to Charlotte’s Saddlery. Even though I didn’t purchase the saddle there, everyone was more than helpful. I got an earful about purchasing saddles online, but other than that they only offered useful suggestions. They called Weatherbeeta for me and told them everything. Weatherbeeta wants to see the saddle. They won’t charge me for repairs and if it is not fixable, they will replace the saddle. Free of charge. All I paid was the $47 shipping fee. I LOVE WEATHERBEETA. How great is that company?! It was well worth the 6 hours spent in the car.
Thank you to everyone who voiced concern for GusGus. He is totally fine. Fortunately, the only injury was to the saddle.[/QUOTE]
Consider yourself very lucky. I bought a defective saddle from Wintec and they would not even consider replacing it. I think it must depend on the dealer’s relationship with them. That is why it is important to work with a good dealer.
A dealer is the way to go for sure…
[QUOTE=NJRider;4572166]
That is why it is important to work with a good dealer.[/QUOTE]
Very true! I tried calling the company directly to no avail. As soon as it was out of my hands and in the dealer’s hands, the company was more than happy to help me.
[QUOTE=LEL;4572367]
Very true! I tried calling the company directly to no avail. As soon as it was out of my hands and in the dealer’s hands, the company was more than happy to help me.[/QUOTE]
Yes, the dealer I got my saddle from is a ding dong. I think they a nice saddles but I caution people to only work with a quality dealer. I learned this the hard way!
Good for them, Good for you, and EXCELLENT on Charlottes. I hope they earned your business!
My saddle is back and in one piece! The holidays slowed things down a bit, but Charlotte’s called as soon as it arrived and I was able to pick it up that day. They’ve earned my business for sure!
