Synthetic Saddles

[solomon]

Inspired by Brig saying she likes them. I love how my Thorowgood looks and it's lovely and light but it's not comfy! Too wide just behind the pommel hurts my lady bits!

[haffyfan]

I love my hydro torsions, they're sort of synthetic

My friend at old yard had a wintec fitted for her youngster, it was banana shaped and didn't sit on it's back unless the rider was onboard, she used an overgirth when lunging etc to stop it bouncing about...and yes i repeat it was fitted by a saddler.

[scattymare]

A decent synthetic I don't think you can tell the difference between that and leather. I've always had synthetics due to cost. Though my current one is synthetic underneath but with leather seat and panels and is THE most comfortable saddle ever (saddle company)

[brigadier]

I like Thorowgood and find them comfy but I also like wintec as although a bit of a strange shape like Haffy says they so sit nicely once a rider is in position and they are comfy. I think they may be a bit more lady friendly also especially if you have developed inner thigh muscles which would effect your seat on a broader saddle.

[racaille]

R has a wintec and it's been great. I was especially glad i wasn't an expensive leather jobbie when he 'fell over' at a jump and scuffed the back of the seat. Moron.

The only thing I don't like are the plastic stirrup 'leathers' - really hard to adjust and rub away to fluff very quickly.

[brigadier]

Thats true and the leather ones dont sit well on synthetic.

[spotti]

I think it's safe to say that my entirely foam Cashel Soft Saddle fits into the 'synthetic' category . Wouldn't go back to treed now, not even back to some quite structured treeless...and I'm far too lazy to go back to leather!!! I admit that I love the smell of freshly cleaned leather tack, but I'm too lazy to keep it looking nice. Much preferr to just whack the saddle under the hosepipe for a quick rinse as and when it gets mucky/too sweaty (same system goes for my bridle!)

[Blonde Donkey]

I had a wintec on the bug and I hated it!!! After a while it was making my hips ache and it felt like my lady bits were on fire and don't get me started on the chafing. I think the material of the saddle made it warm up quicker and made me sweatier in the nethers.

I have a 100 year old leather saddle on Savs now, it fits well and my lady part are having a rest from the chafing, only problem is the seat is slightly hard. I have a wintec dressage saddle for the babies that has a changeable gullet but as soon as they are sensible enough they graduate to one of the many leather saddles my mother has collected over the years.