I just bought an abetta endurance (arab tree) and like it so far - though I’ve only ridden in it twice so far… cold and snowy/icy here right now and the snowmobiles take all the good trails.
As for fit - buyabetta.com (they sell more than abetta) will do a wither tracing check for fit and I found it to be great - I had to order as no venders sell the saddle in my area and I was worried about fit - and my saddle fits great thanks to them.
I bought an older Wintec 2000 6 months ago to fit my high-withered/short-backed arab. It is my first synthetic saddle. Fits him, fits me. I love the lightness of it and even though I love to clean tack, I love even more that I just need to wipe this one off-and worry free riding in wet weather! Oh, and the price was wayyyy decent…
We have had both Abetta and Big horn saddles. I prefer the Big Horn. We have one western saddle that fits a variety of horses. Very comfy for the rider, too.
Also wondering about Fabtron saddles.
Anyone ridden in one? How do you like the fit? The feel?
How much is it to demo a freeform saddle? I would think shipping would be pretty high.
I have an Abeta endurance - Arabian tree and I love it. I have had it for a year now and I do quite a few very long trail rides. It is very comfortable.
Yes, they do use a regular western cinch but the thing to keep in mind is that they have center-fire rigging which means the girth is WAY farter back than your standard rigging on 99% of all other western and english saddles on the market.
If you take a 30" western cinch, you will easily need a 36" with an Abeta endurance saddle.
My horse typically takes a 34-36" girth and I have had to buy a 40" draft girth. The cinch is so much farther back on the barrell and that really takes a long time to get used to. You keep wanting to put the girth in the sweet spot, but you just can’t.
So I am assuming that it is okay to put the cinch back that far, right? I mean it doesn’t cause any abnormal discomfort or anything.
I have a circle Y synthetic western as I cannot lift anything over 25lbs past my shoulders; big plus is that it is wider that the Wintec western; perfect for trailrides and have showed some with it(its black).
I also have the Wintec 500 all-purpose with the gullet system; have different shaped horses and it is so comfy even on the trails.
The ones I have I love em. The older wintc english ones suck; very narrow and it hurt my tailbone when I rode in one while test riding my arab I now own. I broke my tailbone twice; and on the long endurance rides my western doesn’t aggravate it too much; unlike my leather one.
A bit Off Topic: I find it hilarious when a pro-everything person veggie is adamant against killing ANY animal but rides horses using all leather tack…its like WTF??? Hyprocrite. Where do you think leather comes from? Fake cows?
That was my thinking, too, as an alternative to going with a changeable gullet or treeless. Turns out though, the wye (yoke) of the tree is like that of a normal tree. In other words, the angle and distance between the bars is fixed (doesn,t flex). The part that flexes is the bars themselves (flexes front to back of the saddle). I guess I’ll have to go changeable or treeless.
I think EquiLeather comes from fake cows. I remember all the hot-rodders in the 50’s and 60’s used Naugahide (sp?) for their seats and such, but you can’t find it now. That’s because Naugas are extinct.
Yes, it is absolutely okay to put the cinch farther back. I even talked to the vet who told me it would have to be back about 8 more inches before causing any harm. I do alot of cantering and galloping and my horse’s recovery rate is excellent. So I know she’s getting plenty of air.
I mean, honestly, it really doesn’t even “look” that much different, but you can definitely tell.
I’ve seen dressage saddles with Y girthing systems that girth up farther back than my Abeta does. But it is still farther back than your old, traditional western or english rigging.
I used to have an old western saddle and its rigging was so far forward, that the girth was rubbing on the backs of the elbows. So compared to that, this is way farther back.
I will try to get a picture for you!
Well, my new horse just came home. Now I can have the saddle fitter out to take a look at her. 
Then I will see what kind of saddle I need to get.
So your tree on your abetta seems like a good one, Two Simple? I thought I heard that other than the flex version the abetta trees weren’t good. What do you think?
I noticed this too with mine (I love it so far)… My horse also doesn’t mind it - but we haven’t have a chance to do any long rides yet - the snow mobiles are still out - so the best trails are not safe yet… way too many of them out there to ride on the same trails.
It does take some getting used to - for the look of it, It looks wrong the first time you cinch it up.
Yes, I do have the flex tree. It was about 650 dollars I believe, versus 299 for the regular tree. The flex tree is blue, and is supposed to be made of a very tough rubber versus the hard plastic. I really like this saddle. I have finally found the perfect combination of saddle pads too - the Abeta Shock Pad with a thick fleece on top of that. Now the saddle fits perfect and doesn’t slip, which is something I had a problem with before.
Love my Wintec 2000
Here’s my story. I have a Bruno DelGrange Pro jumping saddle. It is absolutely the best saddle I have ever owned. It keeps my leg and position perfect and secure over any jumps and fits my horse like a glove. However, I have no indoor where I ride and I like to trail ride and hunter pace. The Delgrange was bought at a time in my life when I had the money for such luxuries. Now, the thought of using that saddle in the rain or on trail where it could get wet, scratched or otherwise damaged makes me nervous, since I can not replace it. So I took the plunge and bought a Wintec 2000 for the rain and the rougher rides. It was a strange feeling in the beginning to ride with it but I quickly got comfortable with it and now the DelGrange only comes out for lessons and the occasional show. I live in the Wintec 2000. It seems to fit my horse well, it’s very comfortable for long trail rides and lots of galloping on hunter paces. If I am going to be in the saddle for a long time, I will use a sheepskin saddle pad to give my horses’ back extra cushioning and the sheepskin “breathes” well. The Wintec does almost the same as the Delgrange for me, but the deeper seat of the Wintec 2000 is actually more comfortable for longer rides. I do have the Cair and the gullet system. I never used the gullet system because the medium width gullet that came with the saddle seems to suit my horse perfectly. Hope this lengthy post was helpful. :lol:
I have a Wintec endurance saddle. It’s about three years old, but still in great condition, despite very hard usage. And I do mean hard. I have spent so many hours in that saddle. It’s been soaked through multiple times, with no adverse affects. I really like it. It’s lightweight, comfortable, and fits my Anglo mare perfectly. I’m all for synthetics. They are so easy.
Hi guys Im new…
I have a synthetic western saddle made by Blue Ridge (yes its a cheapie) that I have been using for about 5 yrs. That is probably its life expectancy. The fenders are wearing away and the so-called fleece padding has broken down. It will be retired to the training saddle section very soon.:yes:
[QUOTE=patchworkpony;1004932]
What does everyone think of big horn saddles? I am mostly interested in the western synthetic type.[/QUOTE]
Patchwork – check your PMs,please.
I just bought a Big Horn synthetic, gaited horse flex tree saddle for my Fiance. It fits his TWH great! He says it is SO COMFORTABLE! The seat is extra padded, so you might need a bigger size. It is a well made saddle. A whole lot better then the no name from Kate’s.
If I need another saddle again, I would definately consider the same thing.
I have a wintec western on my medium-wide arabian, it is 10 yrs old and works great. I also have a wintec pro for dressage. It is working well even though I like the “look” of leather better. Everyone I know who uses a wintec loves it. Our trainer recommends it for dressage, but of course it depends on what the rider likes.
i have a client with a lady trail rider, I think, by Fabtron? Rides beautifully, beats the pants of the Abettas for comfort. I rode it for 2 hours or so right after she bought it, very, very comfy.
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