[Shellex3belle]

I am currently looking for a saddle to purchase and I was wondering what you all thought of the Wintec saddles.

I would be showing but I also do a lot of trail riding and just messing around.

I ride an Arab and thought that the exchangable gullets system was nice as well.

I was just wondering what you all thought of them.

Thanks,
sxb

[madvoice]

I've got a few Wintecs. I actually prefer the non interchangeable gullets. They do not adjust as much as you would think. The channel width remains the same. I had a dickens of a time trying to fit my Wintec Dressage to my Appy Jack. I ended up selling it and buying a Stubben Dressage.

They can make good knockabout saddles though. The original Wintec I bought 11 years ago is still going strong! I use it for trail rides and beach work

[Reece's Peices]

Hey!
I ride in a Wintec 2000, its a decent saddle, i am currently having a small issue with it but its due to the fact i only have one gullet width and need a different size now. I think its a very nice saddle, my AP is great for hacking around, jumping and some dressage work, but it falls short in the dressage department, the flap are too forward to truly ride dressage in it. I like how you can change the position of the knee roll to suit your individual needs. The stirrup leathers on it are neat too, they do not have the buckle but a "insert and twist" system, elimenates the bulky buckle from under your upper thigh. They are very easy to take care of, i only have to give it a quick brush after each ride to keep the "fuzzy" all fuzzy.
Hope i was of some help!!

[horseyfrk145]

I really like them and do suggest them! The Wintec Western, IMO, is not of good quality, and I don't like the 2000 or 250, but the 500 is great IME!

[lover]

I LOVE them. I have a Wintec 500. It is really old so it has a few cracks in the synthetic leather and it has been in the freezing barn forever so not the best of care. But they are super comfy and light and me and my horse both seem to like it! I even entered a contest a few weeks ago to win a Wintec 2000 and so I am hoping!

[magic_rider]

I like them, I am not a fan of the changeble gullet though, apparently when the gullet is adgusted it puts more stress on other parts of the saddle. They are very hard wearing, mine a is a about 3 years old and still looks practicaly new.

[horserider2772]

I had a 500 A/P and it was really comfy and didn't need any care whatsoever but for bigger shows im not sure it would be the best choice... i traded mine for an HDR Close Contact. And like madvoice said, the interchangeable gullets dont change as much as you would think they do. Good luck!!

[Mutrok]

For hacking around and the ease of care they are great. If you are looking at doing some serrious showing investing in a nice used leather saddle would be the way to go. Or if you can have both even better, lol.

[superhorse]

Their great saddles, there the best synthetic saddle you can get (IMO) and they stay looking good without any effort.

[harli36]

They are excellent well made saddles. The equileather ones are very real looking and you can hardly tell it's not real unless your standing a foot or two away from it.

I have a Bates(basically the leather version of Wintec) and have the CAIR and interchangeable gullets. My mare really likes the CAIR some horses don't but both the horses I've ridden in Cair with do really enjoy it. In regards to the interchangeable gullet they won't make the saddle fit every horse because they only change the front of the tree that is right up under the pommel. So if you have a horse that the wintec fits through the middle and back of the saddle then the interchangeable gullets are great because you can change them out as the horse loose and gains muscle through the shoulders.

And there are going to be people who tell you, you can't show in them. Don't listen to them, you can show in a wintec just fine. The judge doesn't care what kind of saddle you ride in just as long as it doesn't hinder your riding.