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| Re: Synthetic verses leather saddle [message #2679674 is a reply to message #2679667 ] |
Mon, 18 June 2012 16:01   |
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To be honest... I'd only go for leather because of the look. Showing / Eventing - leather. Pleasure / Trails - synthetic.
Synthetic being as it's easy to clean and If I'm stuck in a downpour I don't need to care about getting the leather wet.
& whether it's comfy or not comes down to the brand IMO..
R.I.P My beautiful BJ
I will miss & love you every single day!
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| Re: Synthetic verses leather saddle [message #2679690 is a reply to message #2679674 ] |
Mon, 18 June 2012 16:29 |
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for a long time i had synthetics, still have them. but i love my leather saddle. it sits me quite a bit better than just a wintec, and it looks much nicer in competition
i still have a synthetic dressage and AP though, whatever suits the horse and the rider
the pony's saddle is also synthetic, but i havent done any riding in it yet
<\_~ ~ My treasures do not clink together and glitter...
// \\ ...they gleam in the sun and neigh in the night ~
RIP Jazzy <3
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| Re: Synthetic verses leather saddle [message #2679773 is a reply to message #2679667 ] |
Mon, 18 June 2012 17:46 |
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I have a synthetic AP, but my daughter has a leather collegiate dressage, but if its raining, she will use the wintec at comps rather than get the leather saddle wet.
When I get better, well IF I ever get better, I hope to use the collegiate, puts you in a better position, my daughter looks great in it, but she has legs, I have stumpy short ones 
depends what you are going to be doing, higher level dressage or showing, or low level, lessons etc
try some out and see what you like
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| Re: Synthetic verses leather saddle [message #2679894 is a reply to message #2679667 ] |
Mon, 18 June 2012 19:18 |
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Well......... I like the wintec synthetics - most other sythetic brands are yuck! - especially the wintec suede. however I found my wintec close contact too slippy. it wasnt suede. they are HEAPs easier to keep clean, dont get scratched etc. so it really depends what you need it for
FEARLESS DESIGNS providing you with quality graphic design at affordable prices
www.fearlessdesigns.weebly.com
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| Re: Synthetic verses leather saddle [message #2679918 is a reply to message #2679667 ] |
Mon, 18 June 2012 19:44 |
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I quite like the suede of the Wintec synthetics for jumping.
I have a range of saddles, both leather and synthetic and I love them all.
As long as the saddle fits the horse and you, I don't think it really matters.
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| Re: Synthetic verses leather saddle [message #2680064 is a reply to message #2679667 ] |
Mon, 18 June 2012 22:15 |
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Leather looks better, feels better and lasts longer without looking "worn out". That said I have a synthetic I use for trail riding. Because they are cheaper and well "plastic" I don't have to worry if I scrape it on a tree, gets wet in the rain, gets muddy in a dam. My leather saddles are always kept covered and I look after them very carefully. I would never be comfortable taking either of my prestige dressage saddles on a trail ride, I would be so worried something might happen to them. So I guess it just depends on how you feel about your saddle.
Horses, horses, horses!
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| Re: Synthetic verses leather saddle [message #2680104 is a reply to message #2679667 ] |
Mon, 18 June 2012 22:45 |
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Leather
+'ves Looks nice, a well cared for leather should last longer, they are usually better made - you'll find few 'big name' synthetics, give the finishing touch for showing etc.
-'ves They take time to look after, they need regular care, they are expensive to purchase
Synthetic
+'ves Cheap, easy to care for (great for swimming in the creek, would CRY if my 3k dressage saddle went in the creek  ) The suede types i.e. Isabella dressage is very 'grippy' so gives another sense of security (yeah go from that to a leather saddle and my butt is slipping all over the shop!)
-'ves Cheap and nasty, don't wear as well over the years, and well they just aren't that well made....
So what would I choose? depends on what it is for!
I have a 3k dressage saddle, my passion is showing (now dabbling in dressage) and that saddle is awesome for that!
I however also have kept the Isabell - it is easily adjustable if I get a new horse, or have a horse out of work changed shape etc. and it is good to ride in when it is raining etc. and I don't want to kill my good saddle!
I also admit to owning a wintec AP, again it was cheap, I don't use it much - mostly just jumping at PC and creek/beach riding, I don't care what happens to it and it is easily replaced. I have used it to break in, as again I don't really care if it is bitten, slammed up against the rails of the yard etc. would literally cry if that happened to my good dressage!
The fact my 3k dressage saddle is more comfy than my $300 AP should come as little surprise to many...
However my Isabella for the price tag I found comfortable...
I also found my instructors 7k dressage saddle more comfortable than mine, but couldn't justify spending more on the saddle than the horse!
You can find cheap comfortable synthetic saddles out there!
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| Re: Synthetic verses leather saddle [message #2680135 is a reply to message #2679667 ] |
Tue, 19 June 2012 00:02 |
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Honestly I prefer leather but have both.
I have a synthetic dressage saddle that I bought 10 years ago in a model run out for $300. That saddle has been everywhere, through everything, copped a beating and still looks pretty good. Fits my pony perfectly so I've had no reason to really get another.
I only prefer leather for the look I think!
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| Re: Synthetic verses leather saddle [message #2680376 is a reply to message #2679797 ] |
Tue, 19 June 2012 10:38 |
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DerbyDowns 
Messages: 1810
Registered: February 2007
Location: Warranooke |
Stark, Raving Bonkers |
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| flaxen wrote on Mon, 18 June 2012 17:59 |
Id rather have a older leather saddle than a new synthetic.
That said, I have owned synthetics before, and they do have their place, but not in a competition arena.
Id buy one for trails, at home training, or a for a young/unreliable horse where they might damage an exxy leather one.
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Why? I have ridden in my synthetics in competition for the last 19 years, winning at state level numerous times, in a variety of disciplines. The only competition I would say leather a must is the top end of showing.
One day I would like to be able to afford a good leather saddle, but would always keep my synthetic for everyday and wet weather. I agree there are some very cheap and nasty synthetics out there but the wintec range is practical, very acceptable range of saddles for those on a budget 
I have a wintec isabell that is at least 12 years old, has been ridden in just about every day of its life, at several times 5,6,7 & 8 times a day, and it is still going strong and still my main competition saddle.
I would prefer a well made (expensive) leather saddle over a synthetic but give me a Wintec over a cheaper leather anyday
TPL Ellavation @ 18 months
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| Re: Synthetic verses leather saddle [message #2680386 is a reply to message #2680376 ] |
Tue, 19 June 2012 10:45 |
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I personally prefer leather because of the look but I like my suynthetic as I don't have to oil it and it's easy to clean.
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| Re: Synthetic verses leather saddle [message #2682310 is a reply to message #2680775 ] |
Thu, 21 June 2012 10:34 |
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I have both and I like riding in both. If I had to pick I think I would actually choose my synthetic.
I have a very old synthetic Isabell (about 15 years old?) and a leather one as well. They are different to ride in but they are also on very different shaped horses. I have no problems competing at a high level in a wintec, but I do not show. My wintec carried me through to FEI dressage and is still going strong.
I would never buy a smooth synthetic saddle but I find the Bates Equisuede very robust and lovely to ride in.
It really comes down to what you feel comfortable in. I have sat in some leather saddles that I found very slippery and horrible to ride in, and some synthetics that were just as bad. Unless you wanted to do high level showing I would happily go with either if if fitted the horse and me.
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