Western Synthetic Saddle Question

[Ajierene]

My step-mom trail rides her horse, mostly at a walk.

She has had the same horse and saddle for 15 years and recently the saddle has started rubbing him just behind the ring where the girth goes.

First, we surmised (I didn't look at the saddle) that the tree is probably twisted a bit with age. Can the tree twist after just using it at a walk a few times a week? It was 15 years and the saddle wasn't new when she got it. I believe the rubbing is on the right side, which would make sense with mounting.

Also, she is not a light woman (about 200 lbs and 5'8") and has a 16HH horse. I am thinking that a wintec or other lighter type trail saddle would be useful for her as her horse is 19 and she is retired.

She is worried that a Wintec saddle would not be tough enough in the long run. Any thoughts on the wintec or another good saddle for light trail riding? She only walks, occassional jog, very very very very seldom lope. He is tons better than when she first got him - but still gets a bit frisky if the hunt is on and she trail rides solely in Fair Hill, so while it is a walk, it is constant up and down hills.

[katarine]

the Fabtron Lady Trail ( I think it's called that) is a very nice saddle for the buying dollar. I'm picky picky and find it very comfy. A student of mine has one and I don't mind using it a bit, and I'm a bit of a leather purist ;)

[Ajierene]

Thanks for the input, Katarine, I will look into that with her.

[GallopingGrape]

And the nice thing about Fabtron is they use a little leather as well as synthetic and they look really nice!

[Abberlaze]

Wintec saddles are extremely durable, and last without any real care. I ride in a 10+ year old saddle every day and it has lasted perfectly. If I cleaned off all of the mud, I could easily sell it for almost new condition.

I'm assuming you're talking about english saddles? Because western Abetta are far better than western Wintec... English Wintec saddles are fantastic, but their western version is not as highly regarded.

[JenLS]

My bighorn lasted forever, but they are limited in the sizes. I have a Fabtron endurance now, and love it.

[Ajierene]

Actually, I was talking about Western saddles. My step-mom needs a saddle with a horn - she does use it on occassion when her horse spins and bolts at the sound of the hunt!

I will look into the Fabtron and Abetta. Price is not a real factor, but since she said she is likely only going to ride for another 5 years or so, I don't want her to spend thousands on a saddle she won't use all that long.

[mypaintwattie]

I have had an Abetta for over 10 years now, still looks like new, comfortable, and light.

[kings Ranch]

I just purchased a Big Horn gaited, it is made of cordua or at least I believe thats how it's pronounces.
I got it from horse.com for like 289.00 with free shipping.
Love it, light weight, comfy, seems to be durable, fits my gaited horses very well.

[CowboysRMyWeakness]

I just bought that same big horn cordura/leather combo saddle from country supply. It is supposed to be in a truck on the way right now, can't wait to see how it fits. I don't ride a gaited horse, but rather a high withered one and it is supposed to be great for that purpose too.

[sublimequine]

The Lady Fabtrons are awesome, I know a lady who has one for her narrow, high-headed Saddlebred. It's a pretty saddle, and I haven't seen many synthetic western I'd call "pretty". :)

[carp]

Trees can warp due to environmental conditions even when they're not on the horse. I've heard that synthetic trees are especially prone to warping due to heat and cold cycles (like being in an unheated/unvented tack room,) while wooden trees suffer more from damp and dry cycles. Someone who knows more about saddles than me could confirm whether that's true or not.

How wide is the horse? I found the Wintec and the Fabtron unsuitable for both of my stock breed horses. These guys are on the chunky side, as one would expect from cow horses, but they're far from being oil barrels on legs. The regular Wintec was a no-go on both my gelding and my mare: too narrow. The Lami-cell roping Wintec was ok on my mare but too narrow for my gelding. The lami-cell is also a darned heavy sucker; I wouldn't subject myself to lifting it regularly unless you plan to drag things around by the horn. The Fabtron was too narrow for my gelding's broad shoulders. The shop said I needed to go into a draft saddle. :no: I went with a leather saddle designed for ranch horses instead.

[cuatx55]

my wintec western is going strong and its 10 yrs old. I think they are great...I am 125lbs, my horse is an extra-wide 15hand polish arab (dressage horse, so lots of muscle in her back).

[jerry]

[quote] I have had an Abetta for over 10 years now, still looks like new, comfortable, and light. [quote]



Ditto.