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What are synthetic saddles? Which brands are the best?

By Jade | February 14, 2022
  1. Thorowgood
  2. Wintec

Synthetic Saddles

In this article we will discuss all about synthetic saddles, and why they are becoming more and more popular throughout the equine industry. This blog should help give you an insight into what are synthetic saddles and two of the leading synthetic saddle brands Thorowgood and Wintec.

Firstly, what are synthetic saddles?

Synthetic saddles are made from man-made materials. They are lightweight and less expensive than the traditional leather saddles. An advantage of the synthetic saddle is the care system, they are very easy to maintain. At the end of the day all you need to do is use synthetic tack cleaner and give the saddle a wipe over. These types of saddles don’t require breaking in like the leather saddles. They can also come with padded seats, perfect if you are going on a long hack or a day’s hunt! The Wintec 500 saddle can also be hosed down, a definite no go on doing this to your leather saddles! 

One of the main advantages of these synthetic saddle brands is the fact that all their models adjustable. They come with a changeable gullet system. Making these changes on a saddle have massively increased their popularity. These saddles are perfect for horses that are constantly changing shape as you can easily swap the gullet bar from the comfort of your home, or even in your horse's stable.

Another great advantage of the synthetic saddles is they are lightweight which is great for young horses as well as those coming back into work from an injury. They are also much easier to carry and lift (therefore making tacking up easier) for the more mature rider as well as your budding young jockey who just wants to get on and ride!

Here you can see the main differences between leather and synthetic saddles in one of our previous blogs

If you are still a bit confused about which saddle or any saddle related product is best for you why not get in touch with our friendly customer support team. Via phone on 01733 301 488 or email info@thesaddlebank.com. Our lovely team are always happy to help as much as they can and provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for you and your horse. 

Wintec Saddles

Wintec saddles are one of the leading brands in the UK and worldwide. Wintec know what they are doing when it comes to making a synthetic saddle. All new saddles come with a warranty, this means they are fully covered for one year against faulty materials or workmanship. The Elastiflex tree used in these saddles are warranted against breakage for the lifetime of the saddle – meaning you don't have to worry about the tree breaking or distorting! 

These trees have optimal strength and flexibility but are lightweight too. The CAIR panels on Wintec saddles also help with not only aiding the saddle to be lightweight; but also the low maintenance side of them. As there is no need for reflocking that your traditional flocked saddles need checking regularly and a full reflock every couple of years or even if you get a different horse.

Wintec also have specialist conformation saddles for horses with a high wither and for the fuller figured, flatter backed horses.

Wintec are committed to providing adjustable changes to the horse and rider. Their ’easy change’ fit solution which are changes you can make to the horse for absolute comfort and peace of mind. Their Easy Change gullet system is where you can select your optimal tree width for your horses’ current shape and muscling.

Finally, they also have an Easy Change Riser System, this adjusts within the saddle panel for optimal balance and performance. Click here to read our super handy blog on how to fit the Easy Change Riser System.

There are different ranges in the Wintec Saddles. They feature models in every discipline meaning you can get a saddle specific to you.

The Wintec 2000 all-purpose saddles feature synthetic Equi-suede seat and knee pads offers the rider a more grippy supported feel. The 2000 range otherwise known as the ’Pro’ saddles come in every discipline and is made for more competitive rider. These saddles have been specifically adjusted for each discipline. They even come in endurance which has unbeatable comfort which means you will experience less fatigue over long rides. 

The Wintec 500 range are super all round saddles,  With this saddle you can hose it down, which is perfect after a day’s hunting or a ride on the beach! No more hours spent cleaning and conditioning your saddle after a good gallop across the beach or after a day's hedge hopping. The 500 range of saddles offer a surprisingly close contact feel and have super soft panels which mould around your horse or pony's shape.

The Wintec Lite and Lite D'Lux range are super lightweight models making tacking up a breeze without having to lift heavy saddles!

We currently have a super selection Wintec saddles for sale click on this link to find your next Wintec saddle.

Thorowgood Saddles 

Thorowgood saddles are another type of synthetic saddles. Designed to fit different horse conformations including cob types, standard builds, and high and low withered horses. Made in Walsall, England they also use British Wool flocking in the panels. For the rider, they have adjustable blocks that can be moved to give the rider extra support that suits them, or completely removed if they aren't required.
Thorowgood saddles consist of two ranges; the T4 and T8 range.

These both feature the adjustable gullet Sima Tree. There is one big difference between the two ranges. T4 are a fully synthetic saddle. T8 is a part synthetic and part leather saddle, so you can get the best of both!

T8 Saddles

These are hybrid saddles series which incorporates quality leather on the seat, kneepads, and trim to give the feel of riding on an all-leather saddle. Technical leather is the material used for the panels of the T8 Saddles, this is because of its closeness to leather in both look and feel.

These innovative materials are highly breathable. They can flex and adapt whilst still maintaining its integrity and shape. T8 gives a more traditional leather feel, with their leather seat, leather knee rolls and girth straps.

If you love the feel a leather saddle gives you but are looking for something lightweight and lower maintenance then the T8 being a hybrid is a fabulous range to look at, with saddles in the range for all shapes and sizes there is a model for everyone!

Not sure if the T8 is for you? Check out our blog on them here! 

T4 saddles

This is a very popular range of saddles. These saddles combine a smart leather-look with a suede effect and knee pad. The T4 range has models to suit a vast array of our equine friends as well as saddles for young riders and adults alike. Being fully synthetic the T4 range saddles are a much lower maintenance saddle, all you need is a damp cloth and the synthetic saddle cleaner and you’re done!

The being lightweight due to the synthetic materials as well as the Sima Tree makes Thorowgood saddles ideal for riders who can't or struggle to lift a heavier leather saddle with a traditional wooden tree or horses who prefer a lighter weight saddle but still want a traditional wool flocked panel.

Both T4 and T8 have a vast range from general purpose to discipline specific saddles. If your horse is a little chunkier in type take a look at the GP Cob saddle.

The Saddle Bank offer second hand Thorowgood saddles. View our current selection of Thorowgood saddles here!

Are you in the UK and have got a Wintec (2019 onwards) or Thorowgood saddle to sell? Why not fill in our sell a saddle form here and our super team will get back to you within 24 hours!

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Thank you!

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The Saddle Bank Team x

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