Wintec WIDE Saddles

[sandpiper]

I got a Wintec wide for my Dales pony, who is witherless with a round barrel.  But it was awful and didn't fit very well at all, and I thought the panels were very hard.

The best treed saddle I've ever had (and believe me I have been through LOADS) is the semi-flex which seems to fit most of mine - it's the only treed saddle I'd consider (but it is very expensive!  ).

Have you looked at the Native-type treed saddles which generally have flat, wide panels such as the Fylde? http://www.fyldesaddlery.co.uk/

There is also the Native Saddle company http://www.saddleexchange.com/

I've never tried these but people I know with natives seem to like them.

[happy-horses]

How bout those Tekna (I think) saddles, synthetic so not so dear and the tree can be heated to make wider (I think)

[winnieandben]

I got a Wintec wide for my Dales pony, who is witherless with a round barrel.  But it was awful and didn't fit very well at all, and I thought the panels were very hard.

The best treed saddle I've ever had (and believe me I have been through LOADS) is the semi-flex which seems to fit most of mine - it's the only treed saddle I'd consider (but it is very expensive!  ).

Thanks for that, I dont think I will bother getting a hold of a wintec wide to try then they dont sound like they would be suitable.

The Semi flex dont seem to come up second hand often either 

How bout those Tekna (I think) saddles, synthetic so not so dear and the tree can be heated to make wider (I think)

Havent heard of them will go and do a search.   

[winnieandben]

http://www.old-dairy-online-saddlery-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Tekna_Range.html

Thanks for that HH, they look pretty good for a synthetic.

I have been bad  and bought a thorowgood saddle on ebay to try, it was very cheap and looks to be in very good condition, hardly used.  It is one for warmblood horses, they dont make them anymore but looks like it may suit her shape.  If its no good should be able to sell it on again no problem.
If it works I can sell my working hunter saddle and start saving for (hopefully) a Vogue.

[drummers mum]

I have a throrowgood cob for Drummer (just the cheap one) and it sits really nicely, I much prefer them to the Wintecs, although, I am not at all convinced by the fish system, it just seems to get in the way!   

[winnieandben]

Thorowgood saddle arrived today, took it out of box and thought no way will it fit - not wide enough.  Thought I might as well try it on her anyway as it is very cut back for the shoulders.  And its really pretty good on her, just had a quick sit on in yard so would need to try ride in it but it may well work.  Might just need the flocking tweeked a little. 

[Casper]

Hopefully the thorowgood will fit and she'll be happy in it!

I have the thorowgood T4 gp and dressage model and I find it fits my lad really well as despite being roly poly he does have a wither.  I have the standard model rather than the cob model as I actually found the cob model was narrower at the front than the standard one.

Hope that's sorted for you - I know first hand how difficult it can be to get a correctly fitting saddle!

[celeste08]

Hello

I am new here on the forum but just thought I would chime in on the Tekna. I live in Beijing , China where I own a little Arabian stallion I found quite by chance when he was 4 and bought. I have recently seen Teknas all over the only real tack store here. This tack store which used to stock some Wintecs and sutbben or other well known foreign brands (but not may) now only carries made in China leather saddles and these Teknas synthetics saddles. I ve looked at them. The panels are foam flocked and extremely angled at the back. They would work maybe on a skinny thoroughbred but I am afraid they would not fit anything else. For what I have seen here, saddles made in China and designed in China (which may be the case with Tekna) are really not great...

Cheers

[winnieandben]

Thats interesting thanks.    I am sorted for saddle just now and going for a Vogue long term but it is a shame as it 'looks' quite a nice saddle.