synthetic tack...What's your take on it?

[WP~Paint]

I am thinking about one for Christmas, but I'm not sure. I have a saddle but it is too wide. I have all brown tack too. I want it to match. I have been told my horse looks good in black, so I like that idea. I am not showing just playing with English. I have rode in a synthetic Western saddle and was not real fond of it. My friend said she loves hers. So what is your take on it all. Also, if I get a Wintec saddle I want the matching headstall and reins at least. Are the reins slick? Thanks in advance!

[WashingtonBay]

I love my Wintec. And it's held up marvelously.

When I first got it the Wintec leathers are so thick I could feel the buckle under my leg and didn't like that... but either it started laying flatter or I got used to it, because I never got around to getting the other kind of leathers where the buckle is at the bottom. If you have a choice, you might want those.

I've never used the bridle. Dunno.

[WP~Paint]

I am leaning towards just the black saddle and leathers...wont be too much at h.com. there pretty inexpensive there. I hope it works out! thanks for your opinion!

[BalooEyes]

I have both the Wintec A/P and Wintec isabell (dressage) and love them both. I haven't tried the bridle yet though, I have my own dressage bridle and cotton web reins I like.

[cloedoll]

I adore synthetic saddles. They are animal friendly, easier to clean and cheaper.

[zoel_222]

I'm vegan so I do a lot of synthetic stuff. For western, I think the leather saddles *are* better and more durable, but what can I do about my non-leather-no-meat-vegetable-eating self? :D However, I have ridden in several different Wintec models (English) and loved them all. Every day I regret that I sold my 500. Bleh. What was I thinking. Right now I'm saving up for the Wintec Pro-Jump. I'd acutally like the CC because I don't like the feel of equi-suede, but those are impossible to find in black which is my color for all my horses... Okay, rambling :rolleyes:


I've never tried the wintec bridle, but I have had beta bridles and reins. They're okay. I like the look of them and they don't get slippery in your hands, but I prefer nylon. I like the feel of it better and there's a wider range of colors and patterns. I'm sure you could find any old beta/synthetic bridle that would match a Wintec saddle. Just because they aren't the same brand doesn't mean they can't coordinate nicely.

ETA: I've also had the Wintec girth, webber and irons and they're all fabulous :)

[rocknK]

Animal friendly??? Just think of all the petro-chemicals used to make a synthetic saddle. The green house gases, the carbon footprint. I feel it getting warmer around here already just thinking of synthetic stuff. Al Gore is probably having a fit knowing that you're riding around in a synthtic saddle. Besides cow farts are also contributing to global warming so I'm trying to eat as many as I can & use as many of their hides as I can for saddles, shoes, belts, boots, coats, etc. Save the planet, eat a cow!!!!!:cowboy:

[WP~Paint]

I think if my fiance will get me one for Christrmas, I will get the 250 AP. That's all I need to play around with anyway! Thanks guys!

[luvs2ride1979]

lol @ rocknK! Yup, either save the animals or save the planet... It's really hard to be "green"!!


I do like Wintecs though. My daughter has a Pro-Jump and it's a great little saddle. That said, I personally prefer leather ;). I have an Abetta that is a great saddle, but I LOVE my leather saddles, all bought used and affordably.

[rocknK]

BEEF it's whats for dinner! Lunch & breakfast too!:cowboy:

[Cat]

I like synthetic for ease of cleaning - especially since I'm not doing any showing or anything, but yet I love my leather bridle too. So it all depends.

[BalooEyes]

I'd acutally like the CC because I don't like the feel of equi-suede, but those are impossible to find in black which is my color for all my horses... Okay, rambling :rolleyes:


http://www.equestrian-tack.com/wincloscon.html

they have the wintec CC in black, but only with a 17.5" seat.

[cloedoll]

Animal friendly in the sense you aren't murdering an animal to create the saddle.

[rocknK]

CD, they're not being murdered. They are killed. Their skin (hide) is removed for all its usefull properties, then we eat their flesh. Kinda like a zombie movie, just with cows!:cowboy:

[cloedoll]

Murder, kill, slaughter, what's thee difference? =P I think it was quite useful on the living animal, but that's mah vegtabletarian side coming out. xD You eat/buy what you want, I'll do the same. I do not care what others do, it being animal friendly was a plus for me. (:

[rocknK]

What did all those vegtables do to you???? Have you ever heard a carrot scream??? I hope you know I'm just pulling your leg!:cowboy:

[rocknK]

CK, don't you start with me. OK, I'll bite. How about I ask the next cow I see his opinion on global warming & his impact on it.;) The way I see it, we eat the cows. Would'nt it be wasteful to throw perfectly good hides away??:cowboy:

[rocknK]

I hope you know I'm pulling your leg too!;)

[cloedoll]

What did all those vegtables do to you???? Have you ever heard a carrot scream??? I hope you know I'm just pulling your leg!:cowboy::p
=P

[offgridgirl]

I have three wintec's a/p,pro and isabella and LOVE them!!!!! I have ridden in a western wintec and thought it was okay> I really would like an abetta.....light and flexable!!
As a added benefit in the winter, the heat from the horse warms the saddle!! Nothing like a warm bum;)

[cloedoll]

I just remembered I have pictures of the synthetics saddles I had, lol.

Here's my old Thorowgood Teqnic Close Contact. It was definitely my favorite synthetic saddle I've owned, I loved it so much.
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/cloedoll/eBay/DSC00175.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/cloedoll/Horses/Tacked%20Up/keidassaddlefit5.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/cloedoll/Horses/Riding/wee4-1.png

Wintec Close Contact, this was probably my least favorite.
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/cloedoll/Horses/Tack/das024.jpg

Wintec 2000.
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/cloedoll/Horses/Tacked%20Up/DSC07185-1-1.jpg

I'll post more info when I get back.

[Kowgirlkate]

I prefer leather as well, But do have the Wintec 500 AP and Dressage, which I love! I used to train my colts in nylon bridles after a leather one broke and I got in a pickle lol. Then I switched to buying good leather instead of salebarn leather and never had any problems. The nylon irritated my hands. Never had a synthetic western saddle though, sorry I can't help ya there.
Lol, cowpuncher if cows could talk we probably wouldnt eat them. Maybe lol. I'm just kidding

[Gypsy Rose]

I have the Wintec Isabell, and absolutely love it. It's actually more comfy for me with the Equisuede than a leather saddle. I also love their webbers- no bulk under the leg!

[Dakota Sunrise]

I know nothing about synthetic english saddles, but I have ridden in a synthetic western one before. I do prefer leather I think, more durrable and comfy, and I like the look of leather better. But my neighbor loves her synthetic (and she's had it for years, so it has held up) and I didn't mind it when I rode in it- except I couldn't get the stirrups short enough for me, even though it was only a 15" seat.:rolleyes:

I do love synthetic/nylon headstalls, breast collars, reins, etc. though.:)

[BalooEyes]

I do love synthetic/nylon headstalls, breast collars, reins, etc. though.:)

I have a Zilco breastcollar and LOVE it. No use for it anymore, as Baloo is shaped so nicely that the saddle stays in place (any takers?) but it is an awesome breastcollar.

I've had the Wintec A/P for probably 7 or 8 years now, and it is holding up beautifully, still looks brand new. I do prefer the synthetic leather to the equisuede material, but both are nice. Good way to save on breeches, only knee patches needed!

My friend has a synthetic (biothane?) halter bridle for her arab that has lasted forever, and still looks fine (needs cleaned though...)

I have reins that are partially leather, though they might make them with synthetics by now, who knows? They have leather ends to the bit, but then are cotton/nylon the rest of the way and have elastic threads woven in and little stops on each side for your hands. By far my favourite reins ever.

[elleng]

Love my wintec isabell and am ordering an Abetta endurance. Synthetic is just a lot easier to deal with.

[WP~Paint]

I am really hoping my fiance will buy one for me for Christmas! It would be the best Christmas EVER!!! I hope I can borrow my friends Sunday when I go up and see if I like it. I found in Dover black leather bridle pieces so maybe I can make a black leather bridle! We'll have to see! Thanks again guys, I really appreciate all of you info!

[cloedoll]

I hope you can get one for Christmas, too. =)

[zoel_222]

http://www.equestrian-tack.com/wincloscon.html

they have the wintec CC in black, but only with a 17.5" seat.

I need a 16 or 16.5 :( I have seen the black CC there and a few other places but only in 17.5. It's weird.

[cloedoll]

Zoe, they are very popular in the UK. Check ebay.co.uk and search for them there. Of course make sure the seller ships to the United States. There are plenty of online stores (in the UK) that have it, too. =)

[luvs2ride1979]

BEEF it's whats for dinner! Lunch & breakfast too!:cowboy:

What about Pork? I LOVE sausage and bacon. My bareback pad has a pig skin seat patch on it. You stick like glue! :cool:

[cyb]

I like synthetic, I have a fabtron western saddle its pretty tough and very light weight.

[rocknK]

It's very hard to herd pigs on horseback. Most folks don't like you to chase them much either. Not much fun to rope & they make the most awful noise when you do.:cowboy:

[Buckpoco]

I have both synthetic saddles and leather saddles. My personal opinion is there is nothing like the leather. My friend had different synthetic saddles, finally got the Sharon Saare and can't believe the difference. I think the leather are more stable also. Just my opinion.