another saddle question...?

Question

hey guys what about this saddle? do u think this would be a good begginers saddle? thanx

http://www.statelinetack.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441773942&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302050387&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302050346&bmUID=1174786465018&itemNo=7&In=Tack&N=2050387&Ne=2

Im not going to do any specific discipline just riding and maybe some jumping! and Ive already ridden western for like 8 yrs but im a begginer to english riding! thanx

Answer 1

Wintecs are good, durable saddles. They're easy to care for, but just because they're synthetic doesn't mean you can let them go for months without cleaning them. They just require a different sort of cleaning. You should also remember that if you ever want to show, you won't be able to use a synthetic saddle. Thus, for the money you spend on a brand new Wintec, you could find a really nice used saddle that could carry you through schooling and shows. Something to consider. Even if you don't plan on showing now, if there's a possibility of it in the future, you may want to consider something else.

Answer 2

I would absolutely NOT recommend a Wintec. They are really cheap, poorly made saddles. Just glancing at that saddle, it would throw your balance way off. Look at it and see how much lower the pommel (the front of the saddle) is than the cantle (the back of the saddle). English jumping saddles are designed to allow the rider to have a more forward position (thus the shallow seat and forward cut flap) to aid the rider in having a light seat and making 2 point position easier to get into. By the looks of it, that saddle would only really fit a horse whose balance is very uphill, which almost no western QHs are, and usually not even most hunters. Horses that are built up hill are usually used for dressage.

Another thing about Wintecs is that they are synthetic so they really don't last very long. If you use it regularly, in probably 5-6 years you will have to replace it because the panels in Wintecs are filled with foam and not wool. If a panel is flocked with wool, they can be readjusted and smoothed backed out when they become lumpy and hard by a saddle fitter. With a foam panel, once it flattens out and becomes hard, there is no fixing it and your out a saddle- it's almost as bad as breaking the tree in my opinion.

I'm sure you already know this, but make sure your saddle fits your horse. I only say this because I went 8 years without ever hearing the term saddle fit, and deeply regret it. Just like you have a shoe size, your horse has a tree size and a gullet size. You want to make sure that there is about 3 fingers in the space between your horses’ withers and the pommel. Check that it doesn't rock back and forth (pommel to cantle). Check that it is not pinching him in the shoulder, and is not bridging. Also, make sure that it is in the right place on his back. English saddles get placed too far forward all the time and then it's just painful for the horse. If you reach your hand in the front by the knee roll at the shoulder, you want the edge of the panel in front to be about 2 fingers behind the shoulder blade. Another easy check is the deepest part of the seat should be level.

Look for something that is more balanced. County makes excellent saddles. They are very pricy though, but look over their website for pictures of correct saddles. They also have a saddle fitting guide.

Answer 3

I was where you are several years ago, making the switch from western to english. Besides just picking out a saddle for you, one thing you should really pay attention to with english saddles is how the pommel sits on your horse's withers and its fit. Western saddles are made so much wider that this generally isn't too great a problem, but english saddles are so much closer contact that you could need special padding if your horse has very high, sleder withers.

Generally, this isn't too big of a problem, but just a heads up.

Answer 4

I would say yes, as long as you don't have a specific discipline, such as hunter jumper or dressage, because if you only do a certain equestrian sport, you would want to get a saddle specifically made for that discipline.

Answer 5

Wintec saddles are nice if you are looking for a low-maintenance, cost-effective saddle. They are also comfortable. I've ridden in them before, and I like them.

Answer 6

Yes, it is perfect, im a horse fan too. That saddle you will enjoy ALOT! GOOD LUCK =)

Answer 7

um personally for a beginner i suggest a western saddle its easier to Lear in i am also a beginner rider and at first i tried English but it was slick and called for a hole lot more balance so they switch me to western its so much better to learn in