Saddle age help (Easy points)?

Question

I want to know what saddle lasts longer. (For experience riders and saddlers only please). The wintec synthetic saddle or a leather saddle. And what type of leather saddle do you recommend? Thank you!

Answer 1

I don't think Wintecs have been around long enough to know how long they last.  A good quality, well maintained leather saddle will last a very long time - 30 years or more.  It would be my choice for longevity.

Answer 2

If I had a choice, I'd go with the synthetic one, but seeing as my parents are cheap I have a leather saddle. It's not really which saddle lasts longer, but how well you take care of your saddle. Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of Wintec either, they're saddles take quite the effort to break in.  

Answer 3

good quality leather that is well taken care of lasts longer then synthetic and it looks a helluva lot better, but for the price of synthetic vs. leather and if you are not showing/just having fun, use synthetic, its easier to care for,and  takes less time to maintain..

good luck!

good quality leather saddles: Bevel, Collegiate, Pessoa,

REALLY EXPENSIVE ($5,000) Devocoux

Answer 4

A leather saddle, if kept maintained, will last forever, or close to it, provided the tree doesn't break (but they can be replaced).  Wintec, the same, although they will need recovering more often than a good leather one as the covering is made from woven fibres that do break down with use.  A leather saddle just gets better with use.

Answer 5

I would recommend the Wintec synthetic saddle. My friend used a leather saddle which went well for about 3years but then moved onto a wintec synthetic

They do last longer i believe

Answer 6

you should definitely go with a leather saddle. I've used one for over 2 years and it still looks brand new.  

Answer 7

I bought my leather english saddle in 1991 and it was three yrs old. It still looks almost new.  

Answer 8

The wintec synthetic saddle most definitely.

Answer 9

i always use a leather saddle cause there thicker

Answer 10

Driver's right.  Synthetics haven't really been around that long to find out if they last, but most of the folks I know who've owned 'em have either gone back to leather or have gotten out of horses.  

I have 2 English saddles that were both made in the 60's and are still going strong.  Both are Stubben and German made.  My Siegfried VSD, I bought in '72 and it was 3 years old when I bought it.  My Parzival (Dressage) is the same era and actually is in GREAT shape.  I've owned Wintecs and Abettas and they've gone beside the road, swapped, sold or given away my two leather English saddles are still here.

Answer 11

i would use a leather saddle, as long as you oil it regularly it will last longer then a wintec, a wintec will need recovering over time, and they wear away quicker. it is personal choice though, what fits you and your horse is most important, i have one of each saddle, a leather something!! (not sure) and a wintec 2000, i love them both!!

Answer 12

Definitely leather. Take care of it though. I ride in a Bates Caprilli Close Contact and they are fabulous. The leather marks easily, but it's a very comfortable saddle. Pessoas are also very good.