Wintec
AP Wide
All Purpose Saddles
Manufacturer: Wintec
Model: AP Wide
Category: All Purpose Saddles
Purchase: I bought this saddle on Ebay for $452.00 for my 15.3hh extra wide, no wither Spanish Barb because nothing else fit him.
Likes: I am short and ride dressage. The flaps are short which is perfect for me. The saddle seemed to be made for my leg. The stirrup bars were not too far forward, as is the case with so many saddles, and are recessed for comfort and open for safety. I did not have to fight the saddle for position. It was comfortable for flat work and secure over jumps. I liked the long billet straps, which give it a 'dressagey' look, and the fact that the straps cross over for stability was innovative. The saddle did not slide from side to side during mounting or my ride.
Dislikes: Unfortunately, the panels at the back of the saddle are the same width apart as any other Wintec saddle. Wintec did not appear to take into consideration that wider horses need a wider channel between the panels. The panels themselves were narrow, which means less area for weight distribution. Also, the panels were a weird shape. They sort of bulged under the cantle and the pommel, which left some space under the area of the stirrup bar that I could just about slide my hand under. I did not use any of the changeable gullets. I removed the one in place and rode the saddle with the permanent black one that is in the saddle. It still was still not quite wide enough for my horse. I could not put the saddle up where it needed to go or it would have pinched my horse's scapula. The saddle settled in a downhill position, which was unacceptable. I tried different padding options including the Mattes pad, to lift the front end up, which helped but only masked the fact that the saddle just did not fit my horse.
Quality: The appearance and quality of the saddle was wonderful. It is constructed very well and is beautiful to behold. It looks like it is made of leather.
Summary: I would not recommend this saddle to someone who has a horse built like mine or a draft horse. I tried it on a horse I am getting and it fit him wonderfully. He is a 15hh medium build horse with a roundish build and defined (not huge)withers. I thought for sure the Wintec Wide would be the answer to my saddle fitting woes for my big guy but it was not. I wound up selling the saddle and going Barefoot, which I can also ride my new horse in. My horse and I are both much happier.
Rating: 3
Author: Spanish Rider
Date: 0000-00-00
Usefulness Rating: 3.16667 out of 5.
18 reader(s) voted.
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