"Nicer" saddles that fit like a Wintec

[fivestrideline]

I did a search but almost everything is dressage related, or very old.

Anyways, I have a 5 year old that is just off the track, and he needs a saddle. The fitter says he is a textbook Wintec shape, but I really would like something nicer for myself - leather, hunter ring appropriate. Caveat: it’s probably a temporary or starter saddle, so the budget isn’t enormous but I still want something comfortable that I don’t have to fight with. A used high end model would be nice, but an adjustable “okay” new one is good too.

I had a Bates growing up (the Caprilli model, IIRC) and it put me into an ATROCIOUS chair seat - but I don’t know how the new ones are (like the last 10-20 years). The low end Pessoa XCH I have got an “it’s not ideal but could work temporarily” stamp, but it’s really ugly and doesn’t fit me all that well. I really should just use it for now but call me vain and picky .

Any ideas or recommendations to look at? High end brands that fit flat and A frame that I could look for used? My fitter doesn’t carry a used inventory but does have some new options starting at $2500, so I’m looking for something that comes in under that figure.

[fivestrideline]

His tracings

[barnesthenoble]

You might be pleasantly surprised by some of the new Bates. I think you can take them on trial too? Not 100% sure. That would be my first port of call.

[greywithchrome]

Check out Kent & Masters - tons of “shape” options that work for fat ponies or high withered TBs.

[GreyDes]

Black Country might be a good possibility. Richochet & Quantum are two jumping models to consider.

Fineline tack usually has some used and Pelham might be worth looking at as well.

[fivestrideline]

@barnesthenoble

You might be pleasantly surprised by some of the new Bates

Looked up a couple as it turns out they have adjustable stirrup bars in a few models (which is nice for me and my long legs). Hello sticker shock - almost $5k for a BATES?! Haha no thanks.

Their CC or jumping models are a little more attainable in price, though I hesitate on the CAIR… could convert to wool but that’s some finagling I’m not sure I want to do.

A used newer Bates that I could trial wouldn’t be out of the question. Thanks!

[fivestrideline]

@GreyDes

Black Country might be a good possibility. Richochet & Quantum are two jumping models to consider.

Fineline tack usually has some used and Pelham might be worth looking at as well.

Oh good call, I haven’t looked at their sites recently…

@greywithchrome

Check out Kent & Masters

To be fair ONE saddle I sat in of theirs didn’t fit me and I didn’t like it, but for the right price I’d consider it. The leather was decent. Not many of these on the market though.

Also, I’m not beholden to wool right now for THIS saddle. In fact, I’d prefer foam + my half pad/shims as needed (don’t roast me, I have my reasons). Would anyone know if an Amerigo or Voltaire or any of the other popular brands might have models that could work? They’re available used almost anywhere, which I realize is likely because they stopped/never fit the horses. Still, easy to find and easy to resell.

FWIW my CWD was a no go, too curvy for this one. Same with my Tad Coffin, it’s the A5 model and too round/low on the withers. I might could find a TC2 or whatever the other model is in a Tad, but I’m not married to the brand.

I realize I could probably just order something from my fitter, but as much as I appreciate them I am hesitant to spring for a custom new saddle for any price right now. Used or returnable with a trial would be my preference.

[drop_shot]

If you do end up looking into Black Country, I’d highly recommend working with Patty Merli (pattymerli@gmail.com). She was lovely to work with, allowed for a good amount of trial time, and you just need to pay for shipping for any saddles that she sends you.

I ended up not being able to find a Black Country that fit me which was a bummer, but if I had, I likely would have bought a used one.

[Viranh]

I really liked my K&M saddles for my big TB—super adjustable and horse friendly. They did not end up working for my new horse, so I actually have them listed via Direct Saddles (same folks that do Highline and Fineline).

[IPEsq]

A frame tends to lean more towards French saddles. But you need a flatter tree. For a TB type, this is where I’d pull out my old Childeric model M (the flatter tree). Voltaire could work if his withers aren’t too high—doesn’t look like it from the tracing, but since you said you didn’t have enough clearance with the TC, hard to say if that’s because that TC is flatter and wider in the head plate or because you have high withers. The Stuttgart will have more withers room but the tree is a little more curvy than the Palm Beach. Which CWD did you try and what is the panel? Those trees are usually quite flat.

[fivestrideline]

His withers aren’t high - my TC is the A5 model for lower rounder withers/back. It also desperately needs new panels, so it’s missing some volume there . It’s getting sent off as soon as I remember to contact Tad.

My CWD is so old the stamp is unreadable and I honestly don’t know the model. I believe it’s an 09 or earlier, on a pro panel. I wish it fit, nothing is as comfy as that saddle for me.
ETA could be an SEO1…?

A Palm Beach would be interesting, I have liked them when I’ve ridden in other people’s saddles. I also haven’t seen a Childeric in ages, but my trainer as a kid swore by them!

[Ziggy793]

A County would be my first thought for wool-flocked a-frame that can look appropriate for the hunters. You can certainly find a used one for $2500 or below and they seem to hold their value fairly well used!

[thereadinghorse]

The new Bates saddles are really different than those 10 years ago.

[Equestrian24]

I believe Collegiate, the newer Crosbys, and possibly Arena (all WeatherBeeta brands) are pretty similar in design to Wintec/Bates IIRC. I have minimal experience with all of these saddles so can’t confirm, nor say anything about the quality, but have heard several people mention the similarities between the brands.

[CHT]

What about an Arena saddle? I have a close contact for my lesson horse, and the students love it. It uses the same gullet as the Wintec. Decent leather. Looks nice. I paid $1200 cnd

[fivestrideline]

@Ziggy793

A County would be my first thought for wool-flocked a-frame that can look appropriate for the hunters

Any idea of which model? I can go do some research - I liked the County dressage saddles. I also had a County that worked for the borderline hoop tree horse, but clearly that wouldn’t work for this one

@thereadinghorse

The new Bates saddles are really different than those 10 years ago.

I figured they would be. They got expensive though! I can’t quite figure out the difference between the models, and I wonder how expensive it would be to convert to wool. I need to figure out the stamps, I can find some used but no one seems to know exactly which one they have

@Equestrian24

I believe Collegiate, the newer Crosbys, and possibly Arena (all WeatherBeeta brands) are pretty similar in design to Wintec/Bates IIRC

I knew about the Arenas, they’re basically a split between synthetic Wintec and leather Bates. Same tech, no idea about the trees. My fitter carries Arena actually, and Bates (only new models though).

[fivestrideline]

@CHT

What about an Arena saddle? I have a close contact for my lesson horse, and the students love it. It uses the same gullet as the Wintec. Decent leather. Looks nice. I paid $1200 cnd

Oh interesting! Do you have any long legged long femur riders that do well with it? They don’t have a ton of “options” to accommodate that. I’ve not seen them in person so thanks for the review on the leather!

[CHT]

Yes, I have a few women that are 5’10" or taller that use this saddle. I bought an 18" seat to accommodate a variety of riders - if you want any measurements, let me know.

[IPEsq]

Running Fox still sells Childeric. They have gone up in price a lot the last few years though, and used ones aren’t as common anymore.

But in general, a not super wide horse with A frame should have several options for fit.

[Ziggy793]

I have a Conquest that fits my two relatively flat-backed TBs with moderate withers. Happy to shoot over some pictures of their backs for comparison. I’ve found that a lot of the used Counties out there have skid row panels (County’s name for K-panels/trapezius panels), which are nice for the withered ones.

The Solution H/J might be an option as well, I know someone who rides in one and her horse has a pretty flat back, though I dont have any experience with the model personally.

I did get a Sensation on trial once and it had a weirdly narrow channel and the headplate was tight around the sides of the withers, but that might have been an issue with that specific saddle