anyone sat in a new '09 wintecs yet?

[pintopiaffe]

The seats all look more like the Isabelle...

Wondering if the tree is more generous/forgiving for wide too?

New versions of the 500 & Pro.

Also wondering about the Icelandic. Looks like the setback stirrup bars and more shallow seat might be good for those of us looking for both--but still thinking the tree probably isn't wide/flat enough?

[Ambrey]

Are there photos somewhere?

[Cat - OnceUponADressageDream]

I'd be interested to see what they are like to ride in. I HATED the old style Wintecs....no balance whatsoever. I'd never ridden in a saddle more poorly balanced - and I attribute one fall I had to said lack of balance. However they do seem to be a lot like the Isabell. When I bought my dressage saddle I went for an Anky over the Isabell as I felt the Isabell tipped me forward onto my crotch too much, but it did feel secure and I'm sure it is the kind of saddle perfectly suited to riders with shorter legs (I'm 5'11). I hope these new Wintecs are better, as Wintecs are so popular for riding school horses and those starting out or without very much $$ to go towards their horse exploits - and if these people at the beginning levels especially, can have the opportunity to ride in a well balanced saddle, they will have a far stronger foundation to work with as they move on in their riding. I know I would have like a nicely balanced dressage saddle way back when. It would have saved me a LOT of the hard work and frustration I'm still dealing with now in regards to my position.

https://www.horseland.com.au/Catalogue/HL%20Autumn%2009/HL%20Winter%2009_P40-49_e.pdf
The saddles are on page 7 and 8 of this PDF.

[pintopiaffe]

hm, and here I thought I was late to the party as usual...

2009 Pro: http://www.adamshorsesupply.com/browse.cfm/4,7762.html
2009 500: http://www.adamshorsesupply.com/browse.cfm/4,7765.html
Icelandic: http://www.adamshorsesupply.com/browse.cfm/4,6461.html

[NCSue]

I still think you are going to find that they won't fit the very wide, but not necessarily flat backed horse well. The gullets look to be the same width as always and they didn't come close to fitting my Iberian. The few Wintecs I've bought for different purposes have always been wool flocked. Saddle fitter says even those need to be restuffed since the original flocking is very tight and hard.

[aurorag16]

They also have a version of the Pro Dressage with Contourblocs like the Bates:

Wintec Pro Dressage with Contourbloc (http://www.adamshorsesupply.com/browse.cfm/4,7763.html)

[Ambrey]

They also have a version of the Pro Dressage with Contourblocs like the Bates:

Wintec Pro Dressage with Contourbloc (http://www.adamshorsesupply.com/browse.cfm/4,7763.html)

Oh, now THAT is cool!

Did they change the gullet system at all?

[Daatje]

That *is* cool! They're all cool and I am definitely going to be buying one of these this spring. :)

I've always liked the Bates Innova, but couldn't fork over the $$ for it. They fit my horse too!!! Sweet, now I can have those sensational "puts your leg down no matter what" knee blocks on my budget.....will make riding mares BIG trot much easier!

...like a dream come true...fit, comfort and affordability! :D

[Ambrey]

Notice they have a pony version for the kids too!

[aurorag16]

NEW GENERATION EASY-CHANGE Gullet System Provides Custom Fit for many different horses. The NEW Easy-Change System means no screwdriver required to open the head of the saddle; allows the rider to alter the fit of the saddle to suit the horse's changing shape

I can't seem to find much information on this new gullet system but it uses the same gullets as the old saddles.

[Regal Grace]

Here is the website with the run down on the new saddles:

http://www.wintec.net.au/products/dressage/dressageProContourbloc.html

[Hampton Bay]

If you look around, you can find a used Innova for $1200 to $1500. I saw one listed about a week ago; it might have been on Craigslist.

That *is* cool! They're all cool and I am definitely going to be buying one of these this spring. :)

I've always liked the Bates Innova, but couldn't fork over the $$ for it. They fit my horse too!!! Sweet, now I can have those sensational "puts your leg down no matter what" knee blocks on my budget.....will make riding mares BIG trot much easier!

...like a dream come true...fit, comfort and affordability! :D

[Justmyluck]

So I want to my local tack store today and they have these in stock, they look amazing, the thing is every time I pick up a Wintec the whole saddle looks flattened, don't know if its just the synthetic material being stiff or what.

Anyway another thing they have changed is what the panels are made out of. Instead of the equileather they have a foam type material with even holes in it I assume for air circulation and the panels were SUPER SUPER soft.

[Meredith Clark]

I didn't realize you can get them "flocked" that's interesting.

[Daatje]

If you look around, you can find a used Innova for $1200 to $1500. I saw one listed about a week ago; it might have been on Craigslist.

Unfortunately that's still too much. (I'z po :sadsmile:) I'm maxed out at about $800 for a saddle, maybe a tiny bit more.

Plus, I really like the washability of the Wintecs. :)

[Daatje]

So I want to my local tack store today and they have these in stock, they look amazing, the thing is every time I pick up a Wintec the whole saddle looks flattened, don't know if its just the synthetic material being stiff or what.

Anyway another thing they have changed is what the panels are made out of. Instead of the equileather they have a foam type material with even holes in it I assume for air circulation and the panels were SUPER SUPER soft.

The 500 line especially, is more stiff when new. I've owned many, many wintecs and they actually do "break in". Not in the sense that leather breaks in, but they to take the shape of the horse after a few rides. :) So no, they're not always flat as a pancake.

That is way cool about the new panel material. None of the shops around me have any of these new wintecs in stock. I'm dying to get my hands on one to check it out!

[309016]

Hello,

I just bought one of these saddles, and I like the way that it fits my horse. The tree on the new designed one seems like it would be able to fit more horses then the old ones would.

I feel like "new" they are stiff, but it has to break in and conform to the horse as well. I HAVE NEVER FELT MY HORSE AS LIGHT IN MY HAND AS I HAVE WITH THIS SADDLE! The seat is nice (I wish it was a little deeper) but that counterblock is a GOD SEND :lol: ! Your leg cannot come up no matter what and it puts you in a nice position.

Because of the AIR panels I feel it gives the rider a little more "bounce" when in the saddle, but I suspect after riding in it once or twice, I will be able to adjust to it.

Overall, it looks nothing like the old wintecs, does not give you a chair seat, and I feel it will fit more horses. It gets a 95% in my book (the minus being the "i wish the seat was a little deeper")

[citydog]

Also wondering about the Icelandic. Looks like the setback stirrup bars and more shallow seat might be good for those of us looking for both--but still thinking the tree probably isn't wide/flat enough?

The Icelandic will have the sweet spot further back in the (IMO mistaken) belief that gaited horses need to be ridden in a chair seat. If you have really big feet it might work for you, though. (Or if you don't and like to ride in a chair seat.) They aren't particularly wide. Dunno if they've redesigned the Icelandic model, though. They'd probably sell more to the Icelandic folks if they made them wider.

[Daatje]

"Hello,

I just bought one of these saddles, and I like the way that it fits my horse. The tree on the new designed one seems like it would be able to fit more horses then the old ones would."

Ack! Lucky. :) I have to sell a saddle first before I can get one. :) So, the contour blocks are nice? I've only sat in the Innova (with the blocks) and I really liked the way they felt, but never had the chance to ride in one.

Mare has really big gaits and I'm thinking the contour blocks are going to be very helpful....

I'm jealous. :)

[Sparky]

Hello,

I just bought one of these saddles, and I like the way that it fits my horse. The tree on the new designed one seems like it would be able to fit more horses then the old ones would.

I feel like "new" they are stiff, but it has to break in and conform to the horse as well. I HAVE NEVER FELT MY HORSE AS LIGHT IN MY HAND AS I HAVE WITH THIS SADDLE! The seat is nice (I wish it was a little deeper) but that counterblock is a GOD SEND :lol: ! Your leg cannot come up no matter what and it puts you in a nice position.

Because of the AIR panels I feel it gives the rider a little more "bounce" when in the saddle, but I suspect after riding in it once or twice, I will be able to adjust to it.

Overall, it looks nothing like the old wintecs, does not give you a chair seat, and I feel it will fit more horses. It gets a 95% in my book (the minus being the "i wish the seat was a little deeper")


I've always been told that the synthetic saddles don't "break in" like leather. Is that not true?

[Daatje]

I've always been told that the synthetic saddles don't "break in" like leather. Is that not true?

Wintecs (especially the Pro series) do break in and conform to the horse and rider over time. :)

I've had several. The 500 series does not break in much and can have squeaking issues, but the Pro's and the Isabell....very nice saddles. :)

[309016]

I think that the saddle will break in with time....it felt better the third ride than it did the first. The first ride in it, when it was still stiff, I was kind of sliding around like some do in leather saddles that are brand new. Also with the counter block, which is showing my leg where to stay, I have to adjust also. But I feel it will break in over time like leather will....it will probably just take about "20someting odd" rides to get it where it feels like ive been in it forever. :lol:

[neVar]

the saddle doesn't 'break in' in the sense that the material gets softer. But it will conform down to the shape of the horse after a ride or two (Vs the box it lived in while shipping to the store :P )

i have one on order for a client and can't wait to sit in it (The pro with counterbloc)

[pintopiaffe]

neVar, I was *so* hoping you'd see this and chime in!

Would you please, please, pretty please with sugar on top let us know what you think of the Pro when it arrives?

I'm most interested to hear how it fits compared to the Isabelle and Innova. (hoping it's true that it fits more like the Innova--more width BEHIND.) As always the issue for me with wintecs has been the gullet can be wide enough without the actual panels accomodating.

I really think this might work for the filly I've got to start any day now. She's more normally shaped than the two spotty boys, but still isn't exactly svelte. ;)

[albigears]

Bumping this thread as I'm considering getting either an 'old' Wintec Pro or one of the new ones, would love to hear people's opinions...

[dwblover]

I just got the 2009 Wintec 500 dressage saddle, and I LOVE it! The gullet is much wider and has a lot more wither clearance. I agree with those who stated this saddle will probably fit a much wider variety of backs. It fits my TB like a glove! The seat is deep but not nearly as deep as the Isabelle, feels exactly like the Bates Innova seat if you have ever ridden in one. New equileather is not slippery whatsoever. I bought the flocked version and the panels are very soft and a great shape. Puts me in a great balance, A+!!!

[pintopiaffe]

Where is the stirrup bar position on the new 500? Is it way far forward like the old 500? Or setback at all like the Bates Caprilli or the Countourblok Wintec?

[dwblover]

Setback stirrup bar, much like the Bates saddles. It really is almost a carbon copy of the Bates Innova, just that the 500 does not have the counterbloc. But the new Pro does. However, I find the fit better, can't put my finger on exactly why, something about the wither area. It just fits my TB 10 times better than the Innova in that area. Seems very accomodating. It gives so much room for the shoulder without interfering with the withers at all.

[bossmare18]

I recently bought the new 500 for my young horse, who I expect to grow and change shapes a lot, thus the reason for a wintec. I have an old 500. I have had it about 5 years and I like it (although I had the billuts changed to a y shape and the CAIR removed fairly early on. But I have to say that I very much prefer the new Wintec 500 as compared to the old one (even with the alterations).

My new one is seems like the seat is deaper and I like the slightly grippy knee blocks and that the stirrup bar seems to be better placed.

I had a bates innova, I liked it ok, but it kept my legs pushed too far back. I prefer the new 500 over the innova. I have also ridden in the old isabella (I didn't like it much).

[dwblover]

I agree with you Bossmare18, I had the Bates Innova and prefer this new 500 as well. The Innova did not fit my TB in the shoulder/wither area nearly as well as the new 500, and I agree that the Innova pushed my legs too far back. Not a problem with the 500.