RE: [RC] Saddle search - what fits me - Libby & Quentin Llop DVM
The
wintec 250 has the same changeable gullets as the 500 and 2000. They just aren't
easy change. You have to cut the stitching holding the front together and sew it
back up after changing the gullet plate. Libby
-----Original Message----- From:
ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
Kris Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 10:27 AM To:
ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] Saddle search - what fits
me
I recently started shopping for a new saddle for
Salty, my 6 year old gelding who is currently with a trainer.
Since I didn't have him around to measure, I thought I would take a different
approach to the Great Saddle Search, and start by trying out a few
saddles to see what fit me, then see if what I liked could fit him. So,
I visited a tack shop that has a pretty good selection of saddles, English AP,
dressage, western, and many different makers.
What an eye opener!!! I'd been looking at
the Wintec Isabell dressage saddle, and thinking that the deep seat looked
pretty secure and comfortable. Not for me. Tried the Wintec
2000. Okay, needed a smaller seat size than I thought (17"). Tried
a used Wintec 250 (17.5"). Fit me just right, and was very
comfortable. (Don't think they come with the changeable gullet
system, though, so it might be a problem getting it to fit Salty). Tried
a Stubben AP, tried a Collegiate, tried both dressage and AP
styles. I needed different seat sizes in
different brands or styles. That was a surprise. I
thought a 17" was a 17".
I also tried western saddles. Several
people had recommended the Big Horn as a good, low-budget saddle that
seems to fit a lot of horses well, and has a balanced seat. I tried
one. Way too wide a twist for me. Tried a Crates, it was
okay. Tried a Circle Y, and it felt good, but didn't have a very
balanced feel (I thought I would have trouble posting). Again, I
needed different seat sizes in different makes of saddle. And none of
these western models were endurance models, which I would
prefer.
I have also ridden in an Ortho-Flex Patriot
saddle (size unknown) that was very comfortable for me. And my old, old Tex Tan western saddle is pretty good - size
and balance-wise.
So the big lesson I took away from that visit,
was that I really need to try out the specific brand and size
of saddle before I know if it will work for me. When I look at
saddle websites now, I really look for saddle makers that offer a saddle trial
period. I would not buy a saddle unseen unless I had tried that specific
model and size beforehand. That may seem obvious to many of you,
but the wide variation in saddles was an eye-opener for me.
