Wintec Saddle?

[jetandmegs4]

Can anyone give me opinions on the wintec dressage saddles? Someone has one at my new barn for relatively cheap. I'm looking for a dressage saddle for my new horse. I'm planning this year to do training level, and see where it takes us. I'm not really a fan of the idea, and have to ride in it tomorrow. It did fit my horse excellently though. Anyway, tell me what you think about them.

[Couture TB]

I had an original wintec dressage saddle and loved it. Though I heard the new ones are having problems with the CAIR system and the trees. You can get a nice used leather saddle for the price of some of the used wintecs

[Icecapade]

depends on your build. I hear loff/hate. I personally don't like them but I hear great things... you also see a lot of resales, which tells you something. Sit it and try it, its local why not!

[Hampton Bay]

They are pretty decent saddles, especially for the price. However, what's most important is if it fits you and your horse.

Personally, I really like the CAIR panels. I have a Bates Event that is 4 years old, but not ridden in too much (I don't jump very often). My boarder has an older AP, but still with the CAIR and gullet system. She bought it used 3 or so years ago and it is still a nice saddle. It has been her primary saddle. Neither of us has had any issues with the CAIR panels. I am not saying others have not had issues, but no issues here.

I do not like their dressage saddle for myself because they do not fit me, and I don't like the grip of the Equisuede. My boarder loves her new Isabell though. It fits her very nicely, and she likes the grippy feel. Everyone has different opinions, so keep that in mind with any you hear, as you will get A LOT of them with a Wintec.

[badawg]

I loved my Pro. Only sold it because my new horse hated it. Didn't fit her at all. Was totally the wrong shape for her. Try it. Lots of folks at my barn use them.

[GallantGesture]

I love my Isabell. But, it has to fit you and has to fit your horse. That's the important thing with any saddle. The Wintecs do seem to be well made and hold up well. Very durable, the adjustability is nice (but won't make them fit EVERY horse), and seem to hold their value well for resale. They are easy to care for, and can take a beating. They are a good saddle for the price, but as someone else mentioned, if you shop around you can find a quality used saddle for the same price. I'm not so much a fan of the Pro or 500, but maybe they just don't fit me as well. If someone in your barn has it, why don't you see if you can take it for a test ride and see how it fits you and your horse and decide from there?

[Ambrey]

New models coming out NOW! I think they look awesome and can't wait to hear more first hand experience.

We just sold my mom's Wintec Pro. It has a pretty open seat and is best for a person with a longer leg, and luckily that's exactly who bought it! My mom is petite and needed something with a completely different configuration.

[Arizona DQ]

I have a Wintec Pro and really like it. It fits me and my horse. It is easy to clean and wears well. I have had mine for almost 3 years!:cool: I was a leather snob, but changed to loving the Pro. BTW, my Pro does not have the CAIR, just regular flocking. I bought it used (barely) on ebay. :D

[dwblover]

I had a Wintec Pro and loved it! I know you will hear all types of opinions, but I LOVE the CAIR panels. So much so that I sold the Pro to buy a Bates Innova with CAIR panels, and I love that saddle, too. CAIR panels + a sheepskin pad = horse heaven.:)

[mtngirl]

I have a Wintec 500 dressage and it has served me quite well for a number of years. The only reason I got another saddle, was that I wanted one with a larger seat size that fit me a little better. I still use the 500 for trail riding and in wet weather. (Mine is not the Equisuede..it's the synthetic leather). The 500 fit both my Appy and Arab quite well, and I never had an issue with either of them not being happy with the saddle.

Good saddle for the price...but I've found that people either love them or hate them. For me, it was a good "in-between" saddle. Ride in it a couple of times before you decide...some of the Wintecs have a wider twist than some other saddles and it takes a little time to get used to that and the CAIR panels.

Perhaps one of the reasons there are so many out there is because of the price. For many people, $400-$800 is easier to cough up than $3000.

[McVillesMom]

I've found it really depends on the model. I love my Isabell, and thought the 500 was OK, but I know people that HATE the Isabell and LOVE the 500/Pro. So you might hate one Wintec but love another :) Agree that it needs to fit you and your horse, and that the adjustable gullet doesn't mean it will fit every horse. Since it's easily accessible, you may as well give it a try. However, if you're not used to riding in a dressage saddle, you'll probably hate them all at first! :D

[CatOnLap]

you might want to check the threads on this forum about "Bates trees".

I was surprised to learn that Wintec saddles only guarantee their CAIR systems for 5 years (one would guess that many fail after that) and that even the ones with CAIR may need reflocking sooner as they have a mix of air and traditional stuffing to make the shape. Also the plastic Wintec trees altho they say they are "Lifetime guaranteed" they mean for the life of the saddle, which is only 10 years, not for YOUR lifetime. Thats like saying a car is warranteed for 4 years, and calling that a lifetime guarantee, because the expected life of the car before needing major repair, is 4 years...

I've had synthetic saddles, including a Wintec Isabell, and like them for their ease of cleaning, and adjustable fit but I no longer consider them inexpensive. I have 5 leather saddles all in good useable and indeed showable condition, all of which are more than 20 years old. ( one is more than 50 years old) If I have to replace the synthetic every 10 years, then I am paying as much as for a good leather saddle every 20 years.

[dwblover]

CatOnLap, I definitely see your point. Only thing I wanted to bring up is that I've seen several Wintecs/Bates that are older than 10 years. They definitely do last longer than ten years, so you wouldn't necessarily be buying one that oftern. But I do think it's ridiculous to say the tree has a lifetime warranty when in fact it's only ten years. I was definitely misled by the term.

[islandrider]

I love my wintecs! I've had 2, one a dressage 2000 and the other a 500. They fit me, fit my horse too. The second one I purchased has the changeable gullet system and cair. I plan on keeping it for my "treed" saddle, but am still trying to find a treeless that works for us. Like many said, you either like 'em or not. For some short backed horses, the trees can be a bit long, depending on the model. Durable as heck and probably the best bang for the buck-if it fits.

[horsechica58]

I agree with the love/hate opinions. Personally I have hated every single Wintec saddle my butt has sat in :no: Be it dressage, all-purpose etc..

But they are cheap and if they work for you, go for it! :)

[barrelchick00]

I have heard great things about the wintec english saddles, but there western saddles are crap. I had to get rid of mine because 1. my horse hated it 2. it was starting to pull apart. I will NEVER own another wintec western saddle but I would give the english saddle a try though.

[EmmyTheHemi]

For some short backed horses, the trees can be a bit long, depending on the model. Durable as heck and probably the best bang for the buck-if it fits.


Yeah, the long part can present a problem. I have an 18" Wintec Isabell, and it was pretty long, which led to bridging issues on three different horses (I had 8 at the time, including 3 growing/changing Irish Draught youngsters, which was why I bought it!). The only one it fit really well was the very long and level-backed older mare. It was bought as a moderate-use-on-several horses saddle, and did all right, but I feel I've moved past it.

Overall, it was okay, although the twist was really wide. It sorta fit me, sorta fit the (main) horse, but when I finally got a more custom-fit saddle on him, I discovered I'd had to fight a lot to maintain a position in the Wintec. It's for sale now. ;) I did love the ease of care, the light weight and the equisuede, especially for riding youngsters. And the price.