[3Bays]

Ok, I'm still trying to find out the goods and bads of the Wintec 2000 AP. Additionally, I'm looking over the Wintec Pro Dressage and the Pro Jump.

Some people have written that they think the Wintec saddles' equisuede deteriorates over time and the saddle looks a bit "ratty" after a few years...but it would seem to me that if you clean it and use a nice suede brush on it fairly regularly that it should last for a while and look relatively nice?

Basically, I'd love anyone's opinions on what they really like and what they really didn't like about any of these saddles (I'd like to assume it fit your horse...I'm not after that issue, I'm after info regarding how it worked for YOU as the rider!).

Are they comfy for you? Does the equisuede help you stick? Did you have CAIR or flocking?

Additionally, if you know of any good tack stores to haunt for these models, let me know!

Thanks in advance!

[kvmt10]

I have flocking in my wintec 2000 AP. just a personal choice.

I find the suide does get a little ratty, and its from rubbing(sit trot, canter) so there isnt much you can do about it. It gets those 'ball' thingys on it.

It is comfy, but i much prefer a decent leather saddle over wintec, again personal choice.

I only use mine when im not doing dressage(which isnt often!) but when i use it, its fairly good. Its a versatile saddle, you can jump, flatwork, sport. so thats a bonus.

[CowGirlUp1833]

I LOVED my Wintec 2000 AP Pro. It was a GREAT saddle and I kick myself all the time for selling it!! (I needed the money! LOL)

[3Bays]

Thanks for your replies so far!

kvmt10, I also would prefer leather saddles, and even bought a lovely one...but the leather is very smooth and slick...I have a degenrative connective tissue problem and have found recently that I just truly NEED the helpful grip of the equisuede. A friend let me try her Thorowgood saddle that had a type of equisuede on it --- although I didn't care for the seat design itself (did not fit me), I was amazed at how well it "held" me , which is now why I'm searching out the Wintec line at the suggestion of a trainer friend.

I have NOTHING against CAIR at all and for a short time rode my OTTB in a Bates AP with CAIR and he did well with that. I was curious about the flocking idea with a Wintec 2000 verus the CAIR in case there was a preference you guys might have ( as it's also a bit cheaper to get them with the flocking, I think?).

CowGirlUp1833, gads, I'm sorry you had to sell it! (I can sympathize as I now must sell my Bates AP for the money, too! ) Can you tell me what specifically you liked about it?

Anybody else with opinions (good or bad!) on any of these Wintecs???

[kvmt10]

I had flocking in mine because I didnt really like the idea of a synthetic saddle with the CAIR. Dont know why, but I just preferred the flocking.

Have you tried that sticky wax stuff that helps you stick to the saddle? That could help with the leather saddle.

[Dawn]

I wanted a wintec close contact. I ended up with a 500 as it was on sale for quite a bit less. I love it, but I do prefer a close contact to an ap.

For the price, the close contact is definately much better than the 2000. You get the close contact, with CAIR for the same price as the 2000 w/o cair or the 500 with cair. (Not exactly the same prices but very close.)

There's been alot of research done, and the CAIR panels are very good, they can not be adjusted to your horse though. So you need to make sure that the saddle does fit the horse. But having said that, they do 'self adjust' to a certain point.

For the price difference, I do not think that the pro jump is any better quality than the close contact.

I've never really looked at the dressage line (in several years anyway), so I won't speak on that.

[canadianlover]

ohh man I LOVE MY WINTEC CLOSE CONTACT 500!!!!! it was only like $600!!! canandian!!!

[3Bays]

Yeah, guys, I can appreciate that close contact feel!!! Yowsa.

BUT, because of my physical situation, I NEED that equisuede tackiness to glue my butt into the saddle...so that's why I'm thinking of the 2000 or the Pro Dressage...

I've tried the tacky stuff, too...yep, it sure helps! But that suede REALLY kicks it for me and my situation.

I'm very bummed about this decision...I am thrilled I can STILL ride, and hopefully will for some time, but it's not like the old days where I stuck onto my hardly-there Pariani hunting saddle and FLEW over the jumps...

Nonetheless, I CAN STILL RIDE! SO, I'm "adjusting" and investigating ...

Thanks for the input, gang!

[barn_babe09]

i LOVE my wintec pro dressage! its very comfortable and still looks new after one year!!

[jeda_horse]

I hate the equisuade on wintec saddles so each of my wintecs dont have it... wintec 500 dressage and wintec close contact. I just prefered them plus they were cheaper!