[Xiphias]

Wintec, the all purpose saddles are really nice...Cathy

[willeys bonanza]

i have a wintec 500 Ap and love it! it is more comfortable then anyother english saddle i have ridden in. plus they are cheaper. i ride in mine everyday for a year and i havent had any wear! it still looks like new

[Lindsayanne]

The thoroughgoods wear out faster, from what I've seen. All synthetics get rubs after awhile, but the thoroughgood at our stable looks much worse than the wintecs, and is newer.

[3WishesDun]

What shape is your horse? I have owned a Wintec A/P 500 and currently have a Thorowgood Griffin Broadback A/P....I liked the Wintec very much-but the gullet did not properly fit the intended horse...so I sold it. The Griffin, I use on my QH gelding(different horse than the Wintec) - Its a great saddle that I use for everyday schooling/riding. - I have had it for about 3 years now- When I first bought it they didnt have the "FISH" system --which is their version of adjusting the fit (remember - the width will be your starting point....the fish can modify the fit of the appropriate width if your horse you originally matched to the saddle changes shape a bit)

here is a link to FISH
http://www.thorowgood.com/english/fish.htm

If I were to choose a model of the Thorowgoods I would go for the Griffin over the Maxam...it is more comfortable and better quality IMO.

I would choose the saddle that best fits you and your horse-
Most tack shops will let you "test drive" them first.....
Trumball Mountain Saddlery has a wide range of saddles....in all styles, types...and the also carry very "gently used" ones too.
If you call them...they are extremely helpful in choosing what might be a good fit for you and your horse. If you wanted..you could try out both.

Here is their website.

http://www.trumbullmtn.com/

Good Luck!

[I LUV BESS]

definatly a WINTEC 500!!!!

[my_cadbury]

Id go for a wintec 2000. They are just fantastic, the equisuede helps so much with your seat, and gives you more protection for things like a bad jump, shy, pigroot, it keeps you in the saddle so well! I love my wintec 2000 and would recommend it to anyone. Just make sure the gullet is the correct size for your horse and you will be fine.

[Equestrian118]

I'd say wintec.

[Caterina]

id say wintec....and get the cair and changable gullet system (well worth the extra$).

[Spotted Draft]

if money is an issue, look on ebay for wintecs. i know you said that u didn't want a used one (wintecs hold up very well, hard to tell if they are used) and some horse supply companies will put up new wintec packages, with the saddle, girth, and stirrups, for a fairly decent price. I picked up my wintec off ebay, it was used, but you could hardly tell, for under $400.