How Can I Tell Which Wintec Saddle I Have?

In 1986, Wintec launched the first commercial synthetic saddle and in 2011 is still the world's leading manufacturer. Wintec saddles are popular for their light weight, making them suitable for racing and as children's saddles, and their easy maintenance. The saddles are available in a range of sizes and colors, and also come in different styles for different disciplines. Stock saddles and Western saddles are easily recognizable by the saddle horn and general shape, but it can be more difficult to recognize types of English saddle.

Things You'll Need

  • Screwdriver
  • Wall
  • Tape measure
  • String (optional)
  • Table
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Instructions

  1. Checking the Saddle Style

    • 1

      Place the saddle on a stable support like a wall, and measure the seat from the pommel (front) to the cantle (back). If the length is 15 inches or less, and the saddle is of English cut, it is a pony saddle designed for a child or small adult.

    • 2

      Draw an imaginary line from the front of the saddle to the ground, or drop a piece of string down. The large shaped area at the side of the saddle is the flap, and looking at the cut of the flap will help you decide what type of saddle you have.

    • 3

      Check how far the front of the flap protrudes beyond the line of the string. A dressage saddle is very straight cut, and the flap will lie almost flush with the string. The seat should also be deeper.

      An all-purpose saddle will have a more forward-cut flap but still have a fairly deep seat. A jumping saddle will have a very forward-cut flap and a flat seat.

    • 4

      Look at the shape of your saddle. Viewed from above, you should see the pommel (front), then a narrow area known as the "waist," which leads into the seat itself. The width of the waist affects both the rider's position and the way the saddle sits on the horse's back. Dressage and jumping saddles have narrow waists, allow a deeper, more secure seat. All-purpose saddles and endurance saddles have wider waists, allow the rider's weight to be spread over a larger area.

    • 5

      Examine the material that your saddle is made from. If the whole saddle is covered with a synthetic suede-like material, it could be an endurance saddle. These saddles also have additional D rings fitted at the back to allow the carrying of equipment.