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FlightsofFancy
Chillin' with the herd
GOOD TO KNOW!!!! Going to look at Wintecs now........lupinfarm said:
Talk to me about saddles
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michickenwrangler
Loving the herd life
Synthetic straps tend to be stiff, less flexible in cold weather.
I used to own a Bighorn Endurance saddle but sold it after my little Arab mare had a sore back on two endurance rides. The saddle was comfortable for me and was fine on her for shorter rides and walking rides but for some reason it made her back sore on long, fast rides. After I outfitted her with an old battered but serviceable English saddle, she was fine in competition.
FlightsofFancy, does the saddle you're looking at have center-fire rigging? It's kind of complicated and takes awhile to get used to. Wintec has much more straightforward rigging.
I used to own a Bighorn Endurance saddle but sold it after my little Arab mare had a sore back on two endurance rides. The saddle was comfortable for me and was fine on her for shorter rides and walking rides but for some reason it made her back sore on long, fast rides. After I outfitted her with an old battered but serviceable English saddle, she was fine in competition.
FlightsofFancy, does the saddle you're looking at have center-fire rigging? It's kind of complicated and takes awhile to get used to. Wintec has much more straightforward rigging.
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FlightsofFancy
Chillin' with the herd
I am going to look at some Wintecs tomorrow. I am only buying a Western saddle for my husband and kids. I have a nice Stubben Seigfreid .... swoon! I love that saddle and all others seem, well.... :/michickenwrangler said:
AND YES I would marry it!! hahahaha! jk
lupinfarm
Loving the herd life
Oh LOL those silly Stubbens! If only there was a fighting chance one would fit my horse (or my budget!). I'm afraid I'm getting a Wintec All Purpose for Mylie, and I'm passing on the Wintec Western online cause when I emailed the people were kind of rude/weird.
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FlightsofFancy
Chillin' with the herd
I found my Stubben at a resale shop for next to nothin...then restored it.lupinfarm said:
OK.....the previous owner of the horse I am getting said she rides this horse in Full QH bars, but she would easily fit Semi QH.
HUH??? Isn't that kind of specific? <headdesk!> What should I buy?
lupinfarm
Loving the herd life
LOL that doesn't make any sense at all. Try all 3 sizes on if you can. Most stores will let you borrow if you leave information with them. You may find your horse just fits in a QH bar, but make sure to try it on first! Number one thing is fit. Find yourself a nice saddle pad too I really like the Air ride ones but they're out of my budget right now, $209 up here.
I really like the Air ride ones but they're out of my budget right now, $209 up here.
ducks4you
Loving the herd life
Forgot to mention: If you get a synthetic saddle, you MUST keep the riggings synthetic, too, or else the oil in the leather will rub off on your synthetic saddle, then on your pants, and will affect your grip on the saddle. 
**ducks4you sees an accident waiting to happen!!**
Synthetic saddles require no special upkeep, besides wiping off the dirt with a little soap and water.
LEATHER saddles need to be maintained. I, myself, LLLOOOVVVEESSS to clean my tack, which is mostly leather. When I did lessons, I used to clean it ALL en masse with my students. Then, I'd ask them to label and put all the pieces back on right! (THAT was fun!!
) You can use saddle soap, OR, you can wash with oil soap, then rinse clear, then treat--I'm old school, and I love to use Neat's foot oil. (There are some super saddle/bridle oiling products out now, and I'm sure others here use them--they're really good, too. ) I soak my leather with Neatsfoot oil, wipe off the excess, then hang for about a week before using. Neatsfoot oiled leathers will stretch if used wet, and many people believe that it rots out the stitching--I'm not sure about that. When I sell my extra tack in March, I'll be selling some bridles that are nearly 20 years old, but in EXCELLENT shape, because I never let them dry out like toast.
**ducks4you sees an accident waiting to happen!!**Synthetic saddles require no special upkeep, besides wiping off the dirt with a little soap and water.
LEATHER saddles need to be maintained. I, myself, LLLOOOVVVEESSS to clean my tack, which is mostly leather. When I did lessons, I used to clean it ALL en masse with my students. Then, I'd ask them to label and put all the pieces back on right! (THAT was fun!!
) You can use saddle soap, OR, you can wash with oil soap, then rinse clear, then treat--I'm old school, and I love to use Neat's foot oil. (There are some super saddle/bridle oiling products out now, and I'm sure others here use them--they're really good, too. ) I soak my leather with Neatsfoot oil, wipe off the excess, then hang for about a week before using. Neatsfoot oiled leathers will stretch if used wet, and many people believe that it rots out the stitching--I'm not sure about that. When I sell my extra tack in March, I'll be selling some bridles that are nearly 20 years old, but in EXCELLENT shape, because I never let them dry out like toast.
helmstead
Goat Mistress
I abhor synthetic saddles, cordura especially...and will scoff at you if I catch you riding in one hahaha.
My mom bought the Wintec western saddles and...I admit...they weren't horrible...but you won't catch me buying one!
There is just nothing sexier than the smell, patina and feel of a well broken in leather saddle...the creak of a leather western saddle as you mosey down the trail...the wrap-around-your-leg-contour-to-your-horse feel of a much loved huntseat saddle. Just not going to get that with the fakes!
My mom bought the Wintec western saddles and...I admit...they weren't horrible...but you won't catch me buying one!
There is just nothing sexier than the smell, patina and feel of a well broken in leather saddle...the creak of a leather western saddle as you mosey down the trail...the wrap-around-your-leg-contour-to-your-horse feel of a much loved huntseat saddle. Just not going to get that with the fakes!
lupinfarm
Loving the herd life
Aww Helmstead you sadden me see that? TEARS!!
My mum has a bad back and can't lift a leather western but needs a western BECAUSE of her back. Thus... a synthetic is the best option for her. I also find if you have children or the saddle isn't going to be used for much more than trail riding, than a synthetic can be ideal. The OP has what sounds like a beautiful saddle for herself and just wants something like a beat around saddle for the kids/hubby?
I personally am buying a Wintec All Purpose for Mylie and a Wintec Western for her. Anyway, Wintec is owned by Bates
And ducks4you, some of the more expensive Wintec english saddles have leather billets.
see that? TEARS!!My mum has a bad back and can't lift a leather western but needs a western BECAUSE of her back. Thus... a synthetic is the best option for her. I also find if you have children or the saddle isn't going to be used for much more than trail riding, than a synthetic can be ideal. The OP has what sounds like a beautiful saddle for herself and just wants something like a beat around saddle for the kids/hubby?
I personally am buying a Wintec All Purpose for Mylie and a Wintec Western for her. Anyway, Wintec is owned by Bates
And ducks4you, some of the more expensive Wintec english saddles have leather billets.
