Thanks, Natalie. From what I've heard you and others
say, I think the Wintec could work, so will wait for a clear day (raining here)
and try it for a little while longer. The tack shop prefers folks give
saddles only about 15 minute trial, so it is tough to really get a good feel for
how ANY saddle will feel on trail or for longer periods of
time. I know some of my concerns stem from being spoiled to a saddle where
equitation flaws might be somewhat hidden, so expect to undergo a transition
period to improve my equitation.
<<<I looked at
many used and new saddles today, and brought home a Wintec 500 Dressage to try
with my horse. Have a week to decide to buy it.>>>
Well, the
500 is all I have been using for the last 3-4 yrs of riding. Did over 1000
miles this year alone in it. I like it a lot (not as much as my Freeform, but
the horse I ride in endurance just has too high a wither for the FF so I use
the 500 on him and the FF on my mare for LDs). I do use a full sheepskin on it
(more for the stirrups being covered and the seat, as the 500 does not have
the cushiest seat once you ride for more than a few hrs in it) but never had
any problems with the edges. Am short legged though, so might not feel the
edge cause there is no leg to rub :P It works great on my horse, but have been
using it with an Equipedic pad, so not sure if it is the combo, or just the
saddle that works. Mine has the interchangable gullets (great for seasonal
shape changes) and the CAIR panels (kinda wish it were wool though, as I have
had a few issues that MIGHT...not sure though....be related to the CAIR, but
only a VERY few considering the mileage I put on it). I use a basic english
style cantle bag (Sportack type) and that lets me put all I need on it since
it has no rings. Did have to get a crupper T-bar attatchment as there is no
crupper ring and get "d-savers" to attach breastcollar to the saddle. Other
than that, it is great. The twist fits me perfectly, though I do have more
knee issues in it than in my FF (though most saddles do that...I need a saddle
that has as little as possible between my knees and the horse). I find it puts
me in a great position (the BM and similar saddles always made me feel "chair
seated") with my legs enough under me for balance, but just enough forward for
good two pointing and posting (which I do a LOT of on this horse). I would
suggest you take it out on as close to a "real" ride as you can get (lots of
mileage at an endurance pace) as that is the only REAL way to tell if it works
for you. What feels great for one hour, might kill you after 3. a walk in it
might be great, but posting might be a horror...and so forth. But that
goes for any saddle :) Natalie (going to DV and hopefully
putting 200 more miles on it next weekend...)
"Life is not a journey to
the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved
body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out,
and loudly proclaiming.... 'Wow! What a ride!' "
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