ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] Wintec Endurance Saddles

[endurance] Wintec Endurance Saddles

Diane E. Nelson (nelsonde@ttown.apci.com)
Mon, 11 Mar 1996 09:40:43 -0500 (EST)

This will become part of the database:

I ordered the two Wintec endurance models (one has the typical Wintec
design-$398, the other has extended panels & a modified center-fired
rigging-$555) from State Line. I first sat in both saddles on a portable
saddle rack at home built up with sufficient padding to almost duplicate
a horse's "width". Both saddles had fairly substantial kneerolls, the
Pro has movable velcro-ed blocks & standard billets, & the standard
endurance had extended billets with built-in kneerolls and a deeper
seat. Comfort value--medium. Being on the pudgy side (i.e. carrying a
very low center of gravity), the amount of panel for the leg was on the
minimum side if you ride with a short leg. Both saddles put the leg in a
"forward" position for my body type. For Kevin (MW, very muscular leg)
the leg position was also too forward.

On the horses (both are medium-wide tree types, one with pronounced
withers, one mutton-withered). Saddles placed on the back sans pads
showed fairly good fit for Kasey w/ withers, only "OK" for Miss B. The
Pro fit less well than the cheaper endurance model but distributed the
weight much better with the extended panels. The Pro also has a flatter
seat for more movement by the rider in the seat (saddle comes in only 17.5").
The Pro had a "stickier" surface also.

I tried the Pro on Kasey using a square pad with fleece underneath,
girthed snug but not tight. We walked up & down a steep driveway on the
slippery ice/snow surface to test for stability, security and comfort.
The "sticky" surface helps to hold you in--the kneerolls weren't good
enough for a really steep downgrade. Despite the forward leg position
the upper body could be maintained in a reasonably upright position. We
also trotted up & down a relatively flat gravel road, changing diagnoals
frequently--again to test for balance, shifting, etc.

Kasey was reluctant to move forward. My first thought was "Well, aren't
we being a little pig today?" Then I placed my hand, palm-side to the
saddle against where the most shoulder movement was occurring. My hand
was subject to near crushing pressure with each stride--both sides
of the pommel. The saddle, with the added weight of rider and the girth
pulling the flexible tree down into the horse, produced extreme pinching
at the withers. No wonder Kasey wasn't moving--he couldn't!

Both saddles are unsuitable for these horses. Question: are flexible
polymer trees unsuitable when the weight of rider and action of the girth
are added to the equation? Without a rider the tree width appeared to be
adequate.

I am continuing to collate the information & will update periodically.
I'd like to hear about SR Enduros, Tucker, Smith-Worthington, The Arabian
Saddle Co., etc.

Thanks again--

Diane @ Safe Haven
safehavn@fast.net or nelsonde@ttown.apci.com