09-25-2009, 06:57 AM
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#21 | Started
Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Area V
Posts: 1,851
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^again, agreed. Wintecs are the same saddle as a bates, just in equi-sweade. This wintec i have is going on it's 10th year i think and the only wear that i see is a little on the over girth | 
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09-25-2009, 08:03 AM
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#22 | Weanling
Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: In Denial...
Posts: 660
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Quote:
Originally Posted by webnut  Whilst there is no denying the truth in Anebel's reply
you have said that you only do dressage competitions once or twice a season, so I don't see the need for a top of the range saddle that's going to last 50 years (your horse won't!) Therefore having an affordable saddle that you are happy with is important. If you get one with an interchangeable gullet at least you can put it on another horse if/when you get another horse. There is nothing wrong with a Wintec, if there was, they (the brand), wouldn't be so popular. And, as I said before it is from the same company that make Bates, just a different brand name, everything except the material and price is the same and Bates is a very good brand.
Dressage saddles are perfect for schooling and long distance riding, you don't need to get one with the thigh block, they do come without but IMO go for the thigh blocks you will really appreciate it once you've got used to it.
Yes you do need a proper dressage girth, a normal girth is far too long as dressage saddles have very long girth straps so that the buckles and guards are out of the way to allow you closer contact with your horse.
Webnut | Webnut, you have perfectly pinpointed the train of thought that led to my posting this thread!  I don't exactly have great showring ambitions, I'm just delving into classical dressage as a way to improve my riding and my pony's condition, education, and ability, and a correct dressage saddle sounds like it would do a lot better for me than my AP. My horse "came" with a nice leather roping saddle, but it's too wide for him, so I'll probably try to sell it and channel the money into the dressage saddle fund.
I can't wait now for a break from school so I can go to the tack store and test some of these saddles! They have a good selection of used saddles, but not specifically used dressage saddles (at least that I have seen), but according to their website, they do stock a couple of Wintec models. The discipline isn't extremely popular in my area. I can probably count on one hand the number of dressage saddle's I've ever seen in person  .
Thank you to everyone again for the wonderful advice and insights! | |
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09-25-2009, 08:25 AM
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#23 | Weanling
Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK
Posts: 396
Horses: 0 |
Scoutrider
Wintecs are popular over here but they are made of synthetic leather and it doesn't feel the same.
The cair system is designed to make them fit the horse's spine better. There are pros & cons.
If however your budget is limited then - for use say just a couple of times a year
then OK.
I would suggest you looked at the German dressage saddles - all carefully selected leather - but the price will be exorbitant. But at least then you'll know what the optimum saddle is made of and what the cut should look like. Look up Steuben.
Barry G | |
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09-25-2009, 11:49 AM
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#24 | Chat Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 6,729
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All I would like to say is that having a leather, namebrand saddle doesn't make you a "real" dressage rider. Using a Wintec doesn't make you any less of a rider.
Like I said, I school in a CC saddle.... hah. | |
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09-25-2009, 12:00 PM
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#25 | Started
Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Area V
Posts: 1,851
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Again, jdi u and I R on the same page | |
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09-25-2009, 12:03 PM
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#26 | Chat Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 6,729
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However, you can look out of place in certain shows with a wintec. | |
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09-25-2009, 12:29 PM
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#27 | Started
Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Area V
Posts: 1,851
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Not at eventing, slot of people have wintecs | |
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09-25-2009, 12:37 PM
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#28 | Chat Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 6,729
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Yes, you can look out of place... especially in anything above novice level. Most will ride in leather after that.
Leather is a looks and prestige thing, but saying that synthetics are not "real" saddles is a little pretentious.
That was my entire point, is that the saddle certainly doesn't make the rider.
Last edited by JustDressageIt; 09-25-2009 at 12:44 PM.
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09-25-2009, 12:41 PM
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#29 | Started
Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Area V
Posts: 1,851
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Exactly. | |
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09-27-2009, 09:17 PM
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#30 | Weanling
Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Australia
Posts: 286
Horses: 0 |
Haha my coach trains and compete FEI (PSG, inter 1, training Inter 2) in a Wintec dressage... not even a Wintect Pro or Isabell, I thinks it's a 500 or something :P
She was riding in a Trainers Jessica, and HATED it, gave her a really bad back and her horse wasn't anywhere near as free through the shoulders as he is in the Wintec. She's found he works so much better over his back and is far softer in the Wintec, and she feels more comfortable in it too.
So it really is up to the rider. I personally don't really like them that much, they don't suit my body shape very well after riding in some very nice leather saddles, but they have fitted all but 1 of my horses perfectly. | |
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