Anybody Use A Close Contact Wintec Saddle?
February 232010
I’m looking to buying a English Wintec Saddle with the adjustable gullet system. Before I buy I would like some feed back on it. Is it comfortable? Do the different gullets fit all types of horses? Is it slippery or easy to group to (it appears to be slippery in the pic)?
Any input would be great!
I’ve owned BOTH kinds and the leather ones are still with me. In the early 90’s I traded a set of corner plates for a Wintec Sport and grant it, it was a GREAT saddle, BUT the difference in sitting in one vs my now 40 year old Stubben Siegfried is like the difference between owning a Saturn and trying to compare it to a Mercedes. Let’s see if the Wintec holds up to the standards of a Stubben nearly 40 years later.
Our reasoning behind this is that a synthetic, no matter how they make ‘em has no "GIVE", that’s one of the reasons for the interchangable gullets in the saddles of the Wintecs. I can honestly say in the decades of owning my Siegfried (Stubben), I’ve NEVER had it on a horse it didn’t fit and I’ve owned a LOT of different sized/breeds of horses. From WIDE Quarter Horses to Narrow TBs and even a couple of Arabs.
If you’re limited on funds, then try e-bay and find a good used saddle.
February 24th, 2010 at 1:06 am
I’ve never ridden in a Wintec, but here is a review of the product.
Manufacturer: Wintec
Model: Close Contact
Category: Jumping Saddles
Purchase: Purchased on ebay for approx. $450 including fittings.
Likes: Adjustable gullet and CAIR panels are nice for the comfort of the horse. It is waterproof and low-maintenance. Wintec ‘leathers’ are stiff and hard to adjust from the saddle or the ground.
Dislikes: The fake leather material is stiff and slick. Okay for jumping little stuff but I would not be comfortable approaching a 4′ fence in it.
Quality: Good quality and construction.
Summary: A nice enough starter saddle for the price, a decent choice if you’re not sure about tree size for your first horse or have a young horse that is still growing. However I would advise folks wanting an adjustable gullet synthetic jumping saddle to ante up a couple hundred extra and get the Wintec Pro Jumping saddle with the Equisuede seat and knee rolls for more security, instead.
Rating: 3
References :
http://www.horsetackreview.com/review-display/1716.html
February 24th, 2010 at 1:51 am
I’ve owned BOTH kinds and the leather ones are still with me. In the early 90’s I traded a set of corner plates for a Wintec Sport and grant it, it was a GREAT saddle, BUT the difference in sitting in one vs my now 40 year old Stubben Siegfried is like the difference between owning a Saturn and trying to compare it to a Mercedes. Let’s see if the Wintec holds up to the standards of a Stubben nearly 40 years later.
Our reasoning behind this is that a synthetic, no matter how they make ‘em has no "GIVE", that’s one of the reasons for the interchangable gullets in the saddles of the Wintecs. I can honestly say in the decades of owning my Siegfried (Stubben), I’ve NEVER had it on a horse it didn’t fit and I’ve owned a LOT of different sized/breeds of horses. From WIDE Quarter Horses to Narrow TBs and even a couple of Arabs.
If you’re limited on funds, then try e-bay and find a good used saddle.
References :
Over 40 years of training horses, riders and making/repairing saddles and tack. HPTS!!!
February 24th, 2010 at 2:24 am
I love the saddle, but you really do need to wear full-seat breeches in it because it is kind of slippery. I ride in synthetic saddles all the time though, and I really like them.
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February 24th, 2010 at 3:06 am
Well, when I’ve used a wintec saddle, I always had problems while I was riding. No matter how tigh I had the girth or what kind of girth I used, the saddle would always slip to one side or the other.
While they are nice looking, they can be pain.
Also, the billits are REALLY stiff.
References :
Also, it would be great if anyone could help me with my questions:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmJdQu4jhfM8wHo9J3H_m.CQ.Rd.;_ylv=3?qid=20090319110707AACfMXy
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjC3ZoUbl5_fui1d9Vyvo0SQ.Rd.;_ylv=3?qid=20090319071727AAlwsl1
February 24th, 2010 at 3:12 am
LOVE them! Can’t say enough about ‘em. For me, the horse’s health, safety, and comfort is of the utmost importance. Over the years, I have come across "weird(?)" conformation, so to speak, where the adjustable gullet really helped out.
I must admit that I loved the easy clean as well. Even though a good sit-down tack detailing session can be therapeutic, a quick wipe and check at the end of every day cut a lot of time for me away from the tack room. Yes, I am one of those picky annoying people that retire tack properly at the end of the day.
As for the slippery seat issue, I have heard that before but never had a problem myself. I am a small person with shortish legs, and I usually rode with a longer stirrup, maybe that is the difference.
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February 24th, 2010 at 3:42 am
Ha ha, firstly, you really can’t compare a Wintec Synthetic Saddle to a Stubben Siegfried. One is leather, one isn’t one is $400 one is not, you have to compare apples to apples! If you could afford a $2,500 saddle I don’t think you’d be here asking for opinions on a $400 saddle.
Also, these saddles have come a long way in since the ’90’s!!
Now, as far as Synthetic saddles are concerned, I don’t think you’ll find a better saddle. I would spend the extra $60 or whatever it is for the CAIR package as it is alot better for the horse.
I have had mine for about 3 years now and show and event in it. It is lighter than a Leather saddle, easier to clean and is adjustable.
This saddle fits my horse VERY well, and takes only 5 minutes to change the gullet. My guy started off in an extra narrow 3 years ago and has now matured into a medium. There is no more wear on the billets than there would be on a regular saddle.
I don’t find the saddle slippery to sit in, neither do I find it places me in an abnormal position.
The only thing my wife would add would be, do use genuine stirrup leathers. She hated the synthetic leathers that we got with our saddles as she found them too hard to adjust, especially whilst riding. I find them fine, put it this way, they are still on my saddle after 3 years and the leather ones are still wrapped and in the tack room lol!!!
The only down side I can think of is that it won’t fit a horse with high withers any more than a regular saddle that hasn’t been made to measure would!
Good luck!
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February 24th, 2010 at 4:19 am
i own the wintec 250 all purpose and here’s what i have to say about it:
after a few years you’ll be able to feel the tree in the saddle when you sit back. (VERY uncomfortable)
1) they are only good for a couple years at best. i’ve had mine for 6 and already had to replace it.
2) the synthetic material breaks down at a rate of 20% per year.
3) synthetic is slippery and hard to grip too.
4) cantle/back end of saddle always tends to rest too low. you’ll need a good lollipop pad under it.
5) synthetic stirrup leathers are a pain in the behind. they don’t break in (and neither does the saddle).
6) i have the medium tree which has fit most apha, aqha, tbs, wbs, appys and light drafts. but it has never fit an arab or a heavy draft.
7) the gullets are a pain to change too.
9) easy to clean, which is a plus.
10) light weight, also a plus
11) the pores of the synthetic material tend to hold onto horse sweat/dirt/crud which can be a bit annoying to clean. (you really have to scrub)
12) most people classify people in wintecs as a ‘beginner-who-didn’t-know-better’ =// (which says a lot in my opinion)
13) pretty cheap, which would be nice if the saddle held up for a long time.
14) stitching has stayed sound, which is a plus.
15) it’s hard to scratch or damage really, although my horse left teeth marks in mine when he decided it would be a nice chew toy.
16) they are a big no-no for any high withered horse, as they tend to ride low.
17) pretty much always need a breastplate with it because they tend to slip and slide a little.
18) i agree with the above person that said jumping small jumps was fine, but i wouldn’t trust it over 2′6.
19) i find that if a wintec is poorly fitted to a horse it tends to put you in a bad position. i rode in my wintec on a horse with a very mild sway back and i had the worst time trying to keep my position. because his back dropped slightly, even with a lollipop pad, the back of the saddle dipped, causing me to ride in a chair seat. it defiantly was not fun.
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February 24th, 2010 at 4:56 am
Firstly,
Please people, anybody who is trying to tell you that over many years the same saddle has fit all their horses from narrow ones to wide ones is clearly ill educated.
A narrow gullet saddle on a wide horse will pinch in on the horse’s shoulders. A wide gullet saddle in a narrow horse will have that saddle sitting on that horse’s wither, it’s simple physics!!
Secondly,
I have a AP500 Wintec and have had it for 6 years. I look after it the way you would look after any saddle, I can tell you this saddle is in almost the same condition now as it was the dy it was bought, and I’m riding 6 days a week, and competing regularly! As for deteriorating at 20% per year, please you look after it, it will last!
I also wear regular Jodpuhs and have no problem with sliding about, look, if you have a secure seat position you’ll be fine! Maybe if you were to use furniture polish to clean it, that might make it slippery! Lol!
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February 24th, 2010 at 5:20 am
I use a Wintec Pro and I love it! It is not slippery and it’s easy to grip to. I purchased it for $425 on ebay. The price included 2 Toklat saddle pads, a saddle cover and shipping.
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February 24th, 2010 at 5:39 am
Iv sat in a few wintecs my self and hated them. Very uncomfortable and hard. That being said Im almost 5′4 and 101 pounds and am a little bony in the seat area. However, I like my natural fibres. I have always been on a budget when it comes to saddles and cannot currently afford that $2500+ saddle of my dreams. My biggest advice would be to look at some second hand shops where there are often great quality used saddles for a fraction of the price. Wintec I have noticed tend to break down a bit more quickly then even the cheapest leathers. That being said, that is my experience with them, the choice is really yours,
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