Tack Question

shenanigans · 07-24-2008, 02:48 PM

Okay, I have a question regarding english saddles. I have been looking for an english saddle for my very wide draft cross, I was looking at a saddle that has the gullet attachment kit & when I asked about the tree size this is the response she sent me.

Quote:

Sorry I haven't gotten back to you sooner. Yes, my saddle is still for sale. The thing with my saddle is that the gullet can be changed and that changes the whole width of the tree. It comes with 6 different gullet attachments, so you can custom fit it to your horse, thus the width of the tree depends on which gullet you have in the saddle. If you would like to see it and try it on your horse, I'd be willing to bring it to you. Let me know,

Now am I that behind the times that I wasnt aware of this or is it as I feel, a load of bull?

I feel totally stupid even asking this question but I am too old to think some things really do change

Thanks for any info, oh the saddle is a Wintec 500 AP if that helps at all!

WashingtonBay · 07-24-2008, 02:52 PM

I ride in a Wintec 500 AP. It doesn't change the whole tree, just the gullet. But if she's nearby and will bring it to try on the horse, take her up on that... though I suspect you will want a Wintec Wide or something like it.

shenanigans · 07-24-2008, 02:54 PM

As I suspected, but I just thought I would question folks here! I wasnt sure how changing the gullet size could effectively change the size of the tree.

Thanks

Zeta · 07-24-2008, 02:55 PM

Wintecs have changeable gullets. They tend to be synthetic saddles rather than made of leather. My husband has one for one of his mare's as she is always changing shape. You place a measuring device (a piece of card!} behind the withers and it tells you which size gullet to use, very easy.

dressagegrl11 · 07-24-2008, 03:12 PM

Ive noticed that gullet gets used to refer to multiple things, which is annoying. With Wintecs, "gullet" refers to the width at the front and of the saddle in general. The kit doesnt change how wide the "gullet channel" is as I like to call it. People usually use finger width to refer to the gullet channel. Ie, you can have a saddle with a wide tree but a narrow gullet (only width of 1.5 fingers).

Drafts generally need a wide saddle with a wide gullet (channel) for spine clearance. Otherwise, it will fit their withers and sides, but the saddle panels can put pressure on the spine.

So, if your horse isnt EXTRA wide, and doesnt have an overly wide spine, a wintec would work

shenanigans · 07-24-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Ive noticed that gullet gets used to refer to multiple things, which is annoying. With Wintecs, "gullet" refers to the width at the front and of the saddle in general. The kit doesnt change how wide the "gullet channel" is as I like to call it. People usually use finger width to refer to the gullet channel. Ie, you can have a saddle with a wide tree but a narrow gullet (only width of 1.5 fingers).

I understand that the gullet & tree are completely different, which is why I came here to ask if anyone had heard of this before...my horses western saddle is a full bars/ 7 inch gullet, so yes hes wide, very & this english saddle would appear to be quite inappropriate for him.

Gypsy Rose · 07-24-2008, 03:33 PM

Checking into the Wintec Wide might be a better option for you, then.

luvs2ride79 · 07-24-2008, 03:46 PM

Changing the gullet will change the FRONT of the tree, to fit horses with different sized shoulders. The tree from there back remains the same. The standard Wintec saddles don't fit most drafts or draft crosses with broad backs. You'll need their Wintec Wide saddle, which still has a changable gullet, but it designed for broader horses.

Thorowgood also makes a "Broadback" saddle with some adjustment. I belive Dover carries the whole Thorowgood line. They're quite affordable and decent quality for synthetics.

iheartcloudnine · 07-25-2008, 06:12 PM

It will just change the width of the gullet, not the actual size of the tree. If your horse is a draft, I don't think these gullets will fit him unfortunately, and he will need a medium tree so the channel of the saddle is wider for his broad back. Wintec does make a special saddle just for wide horses, called the Wintec Wide. Here is more information about them: http://wintec.net.au/products/allPur...rposeWide.html They sell for $575, could be exactly what you need.

07-24-2008, 03:46 PM	#8
luvs2ride79 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,033 Images: 26	Changing the gullet will change the FRONT of the tree, to fit horses with different sized shoulders. The tree from there back remains the same. The standard Wintec saddles don't fit most drafts or draft crosses with broad backs. You'll need their Wintec Wide saddle, which still has a changable gullet, but it designed for broader horses. Thorowgood also makes a "Broadback" saddle with some adjustment. I belive Dover carries the whole Thorowgood line. They're quite affordable and decent quality for synthetics. __________________ "To be an equestrian in the classical sense is not just to be a rider. It is a position in life." --Charles de Kunffy EquineFriends.com**2HotToTrot.com Anti-Slaughter and PROUD! StopHorseSlaughter.com

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07-24-2008, 02:52 PM	#2
WashingtonBay Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tumwater, WA Posts: 991 Images: 98 Blog Entries: 2	I ride in a Wintec 500 AP. It doesn't change the whole tree, just the gullet. But if she's nearby and will bring it to try on the horse, take her up on that... though I suspect you will want a Wintec Wide or something like it.

07-24-2008, 02:54 PM	#3
shenanigans Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 410 Images: 17	As I suspected, but I just thought I would question folks here! I wasnt sure how changing the gullet size could effectively change the size of the tree. Thanks

07-24-2008, 02:55 PM	#4
Zeta Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 522 Images: 17	Wintecs have changeable gullets. They tend to be synthetic saddles rather than made of leather. My husband has one for one of his mare's as she is always changing shape. You place a measuring device (a piece of card!} behind the withers and it tells you which size gullet to use, very easy.

07-24-2008, 03:12 PM	#5
dressagegrl11 Full Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 31 Images: 20	Ive noticed that gullet gets used to refer to multiple things, which is annoying. With Wintecs, "gullet" refers to the width at the front and of the saddle in general. The kit doesnt change how wide the "gullet channel" is as I like to call it. People usually use finger width to refer to the gullet channel. Ie, you can have a saddle with a wide tree but a narrow gullet (only width of 1.5 fingers). Drafts generally need a wide saddle with a wide gullet (channel) for spine clearance. Otherwise, it will fit their withers and sides, but the saddle panels can put pressure on the spine. So, if your horse isnt EXTRA wide, and doesnt have an overly wide spine, a wintec would work

07-24-2008, 03:33 PM	#7
Gypsy Rose Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bemidji, MN Posts: 1,702 Images: 73	Checking into the Wintec Wide might be a better option for you, then.

07-25-2008, 06:12 PM	#9
iheartcloudnine Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 607 Images: 17 Blog Entries: 6	It will just change the width of the gullet, not the actual size of the tree. If your horse is a draft, I don't think these gullets will fit him unfortunately, and he will need a medium tree so the channel of the saddle is wider for his broad back. Wintec does make a special saddle just for wide horses, called the Wintec Wide. Here is more information about them: http://wintec.net.au/products/allPur...rposeWide.html They sell for $575, could be exactly what you need.