I have an older model Collegiate Convertible (I think it is a Diploma). I am riding a school horse and the current gullet plate is way to narrow. I’ve traced his withers, and this horse needs either the wide or the extra-wide plate in the easy-change gullet set. I can probably just about jam either one in to my Collegiate saddle, but I don’t want to crack or twist the tree, although it is metal and does look pretty sturdy. The ex-wide might be impossible to fit in. Anyone have experience with trying to do this? I couldn’t find any specific Collegiate gullet set in stores, but the plate the (used) saddle came with is also an easy-change, so I figured it would be ok. Or is Collegiate just the wrong model for a horse with wide shoulders?
I think you would need to use the same brand as the saddle.
I have an older collegiate and the easy change gullets fit in it just fine. Just make sure you take it apart correctly and put it back together tightly
You can use the Wintec/Bates/Collegiate Easy-Change wide (red) or XW (white) plates in it; just go slowly and don’t force anything too hard. It may be easier if you can first put in the MW plate before the wide (and the wide before the extra wide). Take your time, and maybe have someone to help you.
That said, at the end of the day, it still might not be the right shape for the horse (been there, done that).
I had an extra wide plate in my Collegiate for several years. To make it easier to change out, a tip I learned was to let it sit in a warm car for an hour or two.
As long as you use the correct brand, like the easy change system you should be fine, I went back and forth for years with mine and still great. There is a knack to doing it though and careful not to mess up the treads for the screws
Older Collegiates use the Easy-Change Gullet system that is also used in Bates and Wintec, therefore those are the plates that are meant to be used.
I have a Wide tree in my Collegiate Convertible Diploma, I imagine an XW would fit just fine, though may take some wrestling to get on.
