Wintec Woes

[system]

I have always been an English rider, and as I’ve grown older, I’ve developed some fear-issues. I like the occasional trail ride, and want more security than my dressage saddle offers, so went out and bought a new Wintec western saddle. I’m finding that this thing, with its stiff fenders and immovable stirrups, really hurts and fatigues my knees and ankles, and am wondering if anyone can suggest anything that would make this more comfortable? I emailed Wintec to see if they offer any accessories, but they didn’t reply. I’m not interested in aesthetics and how “proper” they look – I just want my poor knees and ankles to be comfortable.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Many thanks!!

– Danelle in MA

[wylde_sage]

Cashel stirrup turners, thick cushioned endurance stirrups and a sheepskin seat saver should all help!

[Appsolute]

Not sure how comfortable they are, but I have seen these stirrup-rotator/ in catalogs.

[system]

Thanks so much for the great suggestions; I’ll check them out!

[wylde_sage]

AND stick a broom handle thru the stirrups to turn the fenders so that the stirrups are in the correct position for your feet…keep saddle stored like this always!

[system]

[QUOTE=wylde sage;5651941]
AND stick a broom handle thru the stirrups to turn the fenders so that the stirrups are in the correct position for your feet…keep saddle stored like this always![/QUOTE]

Does this work with the (synthetic) Wintecs?

Many thanks,

– Danelle

[eponacowgirl]

Sell the Wintec and get an Abetta Brushpopper… double memory foam seat, extra high cantle, easy to turn fenders with no break-in, comes with thick endurance stirrups!

http://www.buytack.com/products-saddles/act/20555.htm

Two of my clients who have previously broken their backs ride in the saddle in great comfort.

I always tell my clients that Wintec does English synthetic well and Abetta does western!

[wylde_sage]

Yes, it needs to stay like that all the time to get the material to bend but it Will help. I have had a Wintec western and the fenders were fairly well turned. I also thought it was a pretty comfy saddle, narrow twist and decent seat. Good Luck!

[KarenC]

When I rode in a western-style endurance saddle, the fenders drove me crazy. I replaced them with Wintec webbers put on “upside down”…I unscrewed the bolt on my EZ ride stirrups and put the part that normally goes on the stirrup bar through there, and then threaded the rest through the western tree. MUCH more comfortable than the fenders for someone used to riding English.

[system]

[QUOTE=KarenC;5652392]
When I rode in a western-style endurance saddle, the fenders drove me crazy. I replaced them with Wintec webbers put on “upside down”…I unscrewed the bolt on my EZ ride stirrups and put the part that normally goes on the stirrup bar through there, and then threaded the rest through the western tree. MUCH more comfortable than the fenders for someone used to riding English.[/QUOTE]

Karen, this sounds like a great idea – I tend to need to visualize something … would you, by chance, have a photo of this set-up?

Also, how hard is it to remove the fenders on a Wintec western?

Thanks so much, everyone!

– Danelle

[rmh_rider]

Try an Arabian Saddle Company Solstice. Deep, very secure, and COMFY soft to ride in.

I have never found a Wintec comfortable. Sold mine early on. Such a good idea, great price, great look, but doesn’t ride well and horses hated it.

[wendy]

can’t you just take the icky western fenders off and replace with good stirrup straps?

[KateWooten]

I always tell my clients that Wintec does English synthetic well and Abetta does western!

Thorowgood does English synthetic well, I think you mean, not Wintec. Really only the Wintec Isabell works imho, and only then on the narrower settings. For A/P or jumping, you usually want to go with Thorowgood.

[jeano]

My riding buddy swears the Wintec western saddles are like riding a cinder block. The one I had didnt feel QUITE that bad to me, but nowhere near as comfy as my Abetta special trail saddle. Synthetic Big Horns are also comfortable, and I have heard good things about Fabtrons. And speaking of which, you can buy replacement Abetta or Fabtron fenders, which are cordura and a lot more flexible (and lighter) than the Wintec fenders and put them on the wintec. Or regular or webber stirrup leathers will go just fine through the fender slot as previously noted. Or you can put Aussie fenders on a western saddle.

If you are using regular leathers and endurance stirrups you can take velcro tie strips and take a couple wraps around the bottom loop of the leathers to keep things from flopping around.

There are plenty of stirrup turning options less pricey than the cashels. The problem with any EZ knees turner is it adds two inches or so to the effective length of the leather. On my abetta I had to put extra holes in the leathers in order to get them short enough with turners, and I am 5’7" and ride with long stirrups anyway. Nylon dog collars are a cheap alternative to fancier turners and dont add nearly as much length. You loop them through the bottom of the fender and the stirrup bar and buckle em up tight. Be sure to snug your stirrup hobbles up and you are good to go. You can probably get the collars for a couple bucks at a dollar store–get good stout 1" wide collars about 16 to 18 inches long.

Taking fenders off is easier than putting fenders on. When you go to put new fenders on, thread a piece of baling twine through the stirrup slot first, tie it on to the new fender, and haul 'er through. You might need a miner’s headlamp and a spare hand, especially on a new synthetic, but the slot IS there and the fenders WILL come out and go back in.

[skip_rainy_shi]

You can slid the fenders off and use English leathers. Very simple to do. And you will be happier.

[skip_rainy_shi]

[QUOTE=Danelle;5652546]
Karen, this sounds like a great idea – I tend to need to visualize something … would you, by chance, have a photo of this set-up?

Also, how hard is it to remove the fenders on a Wintec western?

Thanks so much, everyone!

– Danelle[/QUOTE]

Very easy to remove. A good trick is before removing tace a piece of twine and tie your English leathers to your western using the holes on the leathers. As you pull the western one off the English one should follow since they are tied together.

It can be a little tricky getting the English leathers in the right spot if not done being tied. Hope you can figure that out not good at explaining how I do it.

[2enduraceriders]

Not only do I like this comment I agree! I will also say any of the newer Abettas ride like a two by four and from what I have seen the horses all agree!

[QUOTE=jeano;5660084]
My riding buddy swears the Wintec western saddles are like riding a cinder block. The one I had didnt feel QUITE that bad to me, but nowhere near as comfy as my Abetta special trail saddle. Synthetic Big Horns are also comfortable, and I have heard good things about Fabtrons. And speaking of which, you can buy replacement Abetta or Fabtron fenders, which are cordura and a lot more flexible (and lighter) than the Wintec fenders and put them on the wintec. Or regular or webber stirrup leathers will go just fine through the fender slot as previously noted. Or you can put Aussie fenders on a western saddle.

If you are using regular leathers and endurance stirrups you can take velcro tie strips and take a couple wraps around the bottom loop of the leathers to keep things from flopping around.

There are plenty of stirrup turning options less pricey than the cashels. The problem with any EZ knees turner is it adds two inches or so to the effective length of the leather. On my abetta I had to put extra holes in the leathers in order to get them short enough with turners, and I am 5’7" and ride with long stirrups anyway. Nylon dog collars are a cheap alternative to fancier turners and dont add nearly as much length. You loop them through the bottom of the fender and the stirrup bar and buckle em up tight. Be sure to snug your stirrup hobbles up and you are good to go. You can probably get the collars for a couple bucks at a dollar store–get good stout 1" wide collars about 16 to 18 inches long.

Taking fenders off is easier than putting fenders on. When you go to put new fenders on, thread a piece of baling twine through the stirrup slot first, tie it on to the new fender, and haul 'er through. You might need a miner’s headlamp and a spare hand, especially on a new synthetic, but the slot IS there and the fenders WILL come out and go back in.[/QUOTE]