Hi all –
Am considering, along with a (not yet purchased) Frank Baines saddle, switching over to t-bar type leathers (Wintec and Bates sell them as “Webbers” but I don’t know if anyone else makes them.) The FB saddles don’t have a slot or holder for extra stirrup leather length, plus with these I would not have a big buckle right under my upper thigh… Anyone have experience with these, good or bad?
Hey QA-
I just take my regular leathers and pull the buckle down to the bottom, trim the excess length off, then take electrical tape and cover the buckle.
I’ve always hated feeling the buckle under my leg.
Be careful to get the correct length for your leg…I had a pair of Childeric webbers, and they’re too short. You are welcome to them (free) if you think they’re the right length–just pay me the shipping. They’ll fit someone 5’5" 5’7" ish
How are your morgans?!
Holly
i have the bates webbers and use them on my dressage saddle.
i love them for a dressage saddle but would not suggest using them on a jumping saddle or a saddle that you share with anyone as the holes tend to stretch out over time and you could run the risk of the T falling out of the slot
i have had mine for a while and since i rarely adjust my stirrup length on my dressage saddle- they are great! also the bates are wrapped in a nice soft leather so it doesn’t rub the flap too much.
i am almost 5’8" and bought the longest length size- they are very adjustable in length and work well
I love mine! Originally, I bought the cheap ones, and after time, the hole I was using ripped. So I went and bought the more expensive ones and have had no problems. I would not want to go back to regular stirrup leathers after using these for over 3 years.
I love the webbers! The cheapest Wintec Webbers hold up better over time than the more expensive Wintec Pro Webbers or Bates Webbers. The soft leather cover on the Bates Webbers totally disintegrated on me with daily use after about a year or so.
I just got a new saddle with really soft leather and I was afraid of the plastic-like backing on the webbers rubbing the saddle flap (don’t know if it even would, it’s new saddle paranoia 
), so I’ve been using some regular calf skin wrapped leather upside down so the buckle is against the stirrup iron. Haven’t quite figured out how to get the extra leather to stay put, maybe I’ll take Holly’s suggestion and just cut it off. It’s working though, no uncomfortable bump under my thigh!
There are other brands that make bottom-buckle stirrup leathers now, and there is a sleeve that is designed to hold the extra stirrup leather when regular leathers are used upside down, but I haven’t been able to find a place that currently stocks them. I was actually considering just making one
I’m not a fan. I like to be able to run my stirrups up to put my saddle away or to lunge without having to unpin and repin the T-bar. I personally don’t notice the stirrup buckle under my thigh-- just used to it, I suppose.
I love my webbers! I like the wintec webbers better than the bates leather webbers though. I have had the T come out on the bates ones cuz it didn’t seat well in the leather. The wintec ones have the T go all the way thru as opposed to under the leather covering.
My hubby swears the webbers rub spots on my saddles. But having ridden in them for almost 20 yrs, I don’t buy it since my rubs are on my jump saddles (I event) from my unstable leg swinging back and repeatedly hitting the block. No marks on my dressage saddle.
I am very short legged and so the childrens work better for me (I have some, thank you though). If you need short ones and all you have are the regular ones you can easily take a wrap or 2 at the stirrup to shorten them. I did that for years. No one ever noticed!!
I love the Prestige ones! http://www.vtosaddlery.com/product/L/PIDL.htm
Unlike the Bates, these are all leather, with a nylon core.
I hate not being able to run up my irons. I eventually replaced my Webbers with more traditional (synthetic) leathers after months of despising their design.
I love love love my bates webbers. Theyre going on about 3 years now with daily use often on multiple horses and minimal wear! since my saddle is super soft leather, I put the “ugly” side facing out with the softer leather on the flap and they leave almost no wear on my saddle. As for being able to put them up, I’ve found a few interesting tactics that suffice, lol. The only problem I’ve had is the area you slip over the stirrup bar is pretty soft, and can be tough to get on if your moving them from saddle to saddle often.
I just bought some Pariani brown ones. I have not tried them yet but they are leather over a nylon core. They are beautiful! I hope I got the right size.
I have used them in the past and liked that the weight of the leathers is much less so the overall weight of the saddle is as well.
I like both but don’t like bulk under my leg!
I love my Wintec Webbers. I get the Pro Webbers, which are more expensive, but they are covered with the same material as the Isabell. They are kind of hard to find at tack shops, but are available on Amazon.
Prestige Ideal leathers
I also have the Prestige Ideal leathers and am very happy with them.
It did take some getting used to not running up the stirrups after 20yrs of the traditional leathers. It does keep the saddle cleaner because with them hooked up, they still are below the flap. I take the leathers off my saddle after each ride and store them in my tack box. Makes the saddle lighter and easier to hoist up on the top saddle rack.
I love webbers because I hate bulk under my thigh.
What do you guys mean that you don’t run your stirrups up the leathers with webbers? I unfasten, run the stirrip up, and re-fasten the T under the stirrup. Same effect as running them up, right?
They come with protectors so they don’t undo while you’re riding.
I’ve not noticed uneven or even significant stretching, personally.
So, thumbs up from me! :yes:
I used Webbers years ago on a jump saddle, and they literally wore holes in my legs - right through half chaps or tall boots (even my insulated Mountain Horse pair!) - where the “t” is (and yes, they were on the correct way around and the little covers in place). I gave it the good college try, and used them regularly for several months, with the only improvement being that eventually I didn’t get actual sores but just permanent, huge bruises. Eventually I gave up. (I have since talked to a couple of people who had the same problem, so while I’m sure I’m a freak, I’m not completely unique. ;))
Now, I’m riding a sale horse, and the dressage saddle that fits him has Webbers. I was worried, but riding with a longer leg in the dressage saddle, they don’t hit me in that painful spot. (Yay!)
So, depending on the length of the things, that’s just something to be aware of.
I really like them otherwise, mind you. I like the lack of bulk and the ease of adjusting them. I’m not sure why people are having an issue running them up - as the above poster said, I use the tippy top hole as intended (and then I also run them up as you would normal leathers, but of course the “loop” of the leather that goes through the stirrup is shorter). The other folks who ride in the saddle I’m currently using actually put the stirrup up above that top hole and then put the buckle through, so the buckle itself holds the stirrup up - that way it literally can’t slide down, which is an advantage if you need to lunge or move the saddle around. (I’m a creature of habit and haven’t switched to that style yet, though. :lol:)
I love my Wintec Webbers! So easy to adjust length, no bulk, and mine have lasted quite some time. And I run my stirrups up, all you have to do is fasten the T in the very top hole that sits about eight inches above all the other holes. I believe that is the purpose of this hole. You then run your stirrups up the webbers and put the excess through the stirrup and out underneath just like regular stirrups.
Love 'em
I got a pair along with a saddle I bought and have never gone back to traditional leathers.
I buy Wintec webbers (although I have some leather ones too). I foxhunt with them and haven’t had any trouble with them stretching out, having the T come out or rubbing my leg.
After riding in them for so many years I find the traditional leathers to be too bulky.
I’ll throw in another vote for webbers, I find them sooooo much more comfortable than traditional leathers. I haven’t tried jumping in them, but for dressage I think they are fabulous. And as for not being able to run them up and down, I find it easiest to just take them off of the saddle when lunging/done riding.
I have Wintecs, and the only downside is that you can’t punch additional holes in them. I am pretty tall, and the webbers I have fit me, but didn’t fit my previous instructor. But she had webbers of her own and would just put her own webbers/stirrups on my saddle when she was training my horse. Worked like a charm.
I will ride in nothing but my LEATHER Webbers. Like the girl in “The Princess in the Pea,” I could feel a buckle under a pile of mattresses! They’re lined, don’t stretch, look nice, some days I can even sit the trot… 
I jump in them too.
As for running them up — you really can’t; just have to roll. If you have a good leather repairman, you can get extra slots cut through the top layer of leather, too…
But, the synthetic Webbers are, IMHO, garbage — a few days of use in hot weather and the dark-brown coating started flaking off.
I own the Bates webbers, and as much as i despise all things manufactured by wintec, I made an exception for these and I’m glad I did.
you’ll be amazed how much that reagular leather bulk has been inhibiting your equitation once you try them.
I cross my stirrups over the saddle and they do just fine. I don’t lunge my horse, so I really don’t care about running them up.
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