What saddle do you have on your dales and why?

[harry11]

I am currently using a wintec 500 with xw white gullet in it.

Thinking of getting a wintec wide as maybe a bit better and fit round him more.

So what do you all use and why?

[Anna]

We have a whole selection of saddles that go round the yard of Dales. They all follow the basic premise that they are good, old english leather treed saddles. We have several black GP's of unknown make and now as we do more ridden showing we have an increasing amounts of Fylde Majorie and Ideal Ramsey saddles. We also have a very nice Barnsby WH show saddle too.

They are used as they fit the horses, fit the job we do and they are good quality saddles that last a very long time. They tend to be a 17.5 inch seat, xwide in width plus we have some less wide ones which we use for the youngsters and the narrower dales. They do all tend to graduate into the much wider saddles.

[valerie n scout]

I got a second hand Lovatt and Rickets waaaay back and its lovely x

[greydales]

I use a Heather Moffett Fhoenix on mine, it fits all of them. I also have a Barry Swain semi-flex which is a fab saddle, but at the moment Cherry is so blooming wide (read as fat) I don't think there is a treed saddle to fit her lol

[felix]

iv got a free form treeless for everyday use and an ideal whp saddle thats more for shows.

[leannwithconnie]

Sept 15, 2010 15:29:48 GMT -1 valerie n scout said:

I got a second hand Lovatt and Rickets waaaay back and its lovely x

I don't have a Dales pony but did have a Lovatt and Rickets when I first got Connie and it was nicked during a big robbery at the yard!!!! To be honest I have never found a more comfortable saddle since!!

[katiejane1]

I have one of jo's on ru, think it's a Matlock saddlery gp, was only one we could find to fit him. Nancy has a falcon gp.

[harry11]

What do any of you lot think of the wintec wide saddle?
My friend says if i can to try one out.
Worth a go but she says that mine a wintec gp500 is not too bad

[AliandDolly]

i used to ride in a wintec wide at the riding school, i found it comfortable to sit on however it didn't fit him too well and the saddle slipped alot

alix

[harleydales]

I had a Wintec Wide on Harley for years - and did a 100 mile ride over 5 days plus 40 mile endurance rides, trotting for 7 hours and didn't have any problems with it at all. He had a Wintec GP500 before that but it was too banana shaped for him and didn't sit right - the wintec wide is a much 'flatter' saddle with lovely broad panels.

I'm selling it - pm me or have a look in the sales section of the board for more info if you are interested.

[harveydales]

I think it's a case of trying it out and seeing how it fits you and your pony. Harvey isn't a typical Dales shape at all so I've never considered trying one on him.

[lyndales]

Magic has a wintec with a med wide gullet. I use it with a cliff barnsby grip pad which helps stop the slipping. I also have a barefoot cheyenne with the deluxe pad but have not used it on Magic so far. They are both very comfortable, although very different to ride in. Have to say I am a bit of a fraud as not riding anyon at the moment

[cadeby]

I have a Wintec which I used to use on my Percheron mare (she's relatively narrow for a heavy) with the extra-wide gullet. Have cantered and jumped in it and it didn't slip. Was also comfy for my size 16 bum

I have just changed the gullet to wide and tried it out on my barrel-like Dales mare Pagan who is flat and broad over the back with fat pads on her shoulders and withers
It seemed fine although we only attempted a very gentle plod around the farm as she hasn't been ridden for over 5 years!

However, the Wintec doesn't fit my Dales mare Fiona who has visible withers and weighs in around 450kg in fit condition. If I use a synthetic saddle on her, it's a Griffin Cob GP.

I guess you need to try before you buy

[Deleted]

I have a wintec dressage and a swain n humphries dressage also,
I have for sale a wide working hunter/show saddle, havanna,18"
9" d to d
Show condition, English leather on spring tree £250 Inc postage I have photos available if u want them as well( send me email addy)
As for wintec wide, is she likely to loose weight as you can't downsize lower than an xxw I don't think.

[tomasnrichy]

Sept 15, 2010 15:29:48 GMT -1 valerie n scout said:

I got a second hand Lovatt and Rickets waaaay back and its lovely x

Yes while Valerie Rides in style in posh leather , I ride in a in a Kincade synthetic , with the gullet changing system, got to say it is a really comfortable saddle i like it, also it is nice and light so less weight on there back............. i,m heavy enough ;D one day i would like to get a Australian stock saddle, seen one once looked very comfy would last the rest of my life i think it was between a western and classic English, well in my mind it is, so if Aussie herders and farmers are in saddle for hours and hours they must be Comfortable will do more research when i have the money, my kincade is fine for a few more years Richy