How old is my Wintec saddle? Reading your serial number, stamps and badges

Since Wintec Saddles brightly burst onto the riding scene in 1986, they have been along for the ride on more adventures than we could possibly count. First lessons, muddy trail rides, endurance kilometres, pony club rallies and competition arenas the world over.

So whether yours has been your partner in crime for years, turned up unexpectedly in the back of the tack room, or you are sizing one up before you buy, there is plenty it can tell you about itself. You just need to know where to look.

The short version. Your Wintec saddle's serial number is stamped beneath the saddle flap, or printed on a sewn-in tag on older models. If the first two numbers are 10 or higher, that is the year it was made. The last two numbers after a dash are the seat size in centimetres. A WIP prefix means it has the EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution. A badge beneath the rear of the seat tells you which technologies are inside.

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Where do I start?

Right here, before you email us.

Between the serial number, the stamps, the badges and the shape of the saddle itself, most riders can work out what they need in about five minutes. Depending on how old your saddle is, you may be able to uncover:

  • The seat size
  • Year of manufacture
  • What discipline it was built for
  • Whether you can change the gullet yourself
  • Which comfort and fitting technologies are inside

So grab your saddle, turn back the flap and let's see what stories it has to tell.

Where is my Wintec saddle's serial number?

Depending on your saddle's vintage, it will either be:

  • Stamped beneath the saddle flap
  • Printed on a sewn-in tag, which is how we did it on older models

Check both sides if it does not show up straight away. The older ones can be a bit shy.

Where to find the serial number on a Wintec saddle, stamped beneath the saddle flap

Cannot find it at all? No drama. The serial number is only one source of clues, and honestly not always the most useful one. Stamps, badges, the gullet and even the cut of the flap will all tell you something. Keep reading.

How do I read my Wintec saddle's serial number?

Our serial numbers have gone through a few reinventions since 1986, so there is no single formula that unlocks every one. The newer ones are fairly generous though. They will give up your saddle's age and seat size.

Work through it in three passes:

  • The first two numbers are usually the year of manufacture, if they are 10 or higher.
  • The last two numbers, after a dash, are usually the seat size in centimetres.
  • A WIP prefix means the saddle has the EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution.

Each of those has its own section below.

What do the stamps on my Wintec saddle mean?

Some Wintec saddles feature stamps that tell you about the saddle's design and intended use. You may find markings such as:

Stamps you may find on your saddle

Stamp
Meaning
AP / GP
All Purpose / General Purpose
DR
Dressage
J
Jump saddle
P
Pony saddle, on some models
WIDE
Wide model

Not every saddle will have these stamps, but if yours does they give you a head start.

What discipline is my Wintec saddle?

The silhouette of a saddle gives away its job almost immediately.

  • Dressage saddles typically feature a straighter flap designed to support a longer leg position.
  • Jump saddles usually feature a more forward-cut flap designed for shorter stirrup lengths.
  • All purpose or general purpose saddles sit between the two, with a moderately forward flap suited to a variety of disciplines.
  • Pony saddles often feature shorter flaps and shorter panels designed for pony proportions.
  • Wide saddles typically have a broader appearance and are designed specifically for wider horses.

Recognise yours? Have a look at the current Dressage, Jump, All Purpose, Kids and Pony and Wide and High Wither ranges.

What is my Wintec saddle's seat size?

Usually the last two numbers, sitting after a dash, are your saddle's seat size in centimetres. The inch figures are a conversion for reference only.

  • -36 = 36 cm/14"
  • -38 = 38 cm/15"
  • -40 = 40 cm/16"
  • -42 = 42 cm/16.5"
  • -43 = 43 cm/17"
  • -44 = 44 cm/17.5"
  • -46 = 46 cm/18"

Stock and HB saddles do their own thing with letters instead:

  • S = Small
  • M = Medium
  • L = Large
  • XL = Extra Large

Formats have shifted over the years so this will not hold true for every saddle. If yours is not playing ball, just measure it. Run a tape from the middle of the saddle nail to the middle of the cantle and there is your seat size, no decoding required.

Want the full walkthrough? Visit our guide to measuring your saddle's seat size.

How old is my Wintec saddle?

If the first two numbers are 10 or higher, that is your year of manufacture.

  • W10 = 2010
  • W11 = 2011
  • W12 = 2012
  • W13 = 2013
  • W14 = 2014

This can also work for some serial numbers from around 2000 onwards, but our formats have changed enough over the years that it will not be reliable for everything made before 2010.

What technologies might be inside my Wintec saddle?

By now you have probably realised Wintec saddles have picked up a few clever tricks since 1986. Depending on when yours was made, you may come across names like:

  • CAIR Cushion System, air-filled saddle panels.
  • EASY-CHANGE Gullet System, interchangeable gullet plates that let the tree width be adjusted as your horse's shape changes.
  • EASY-CHANGE Riser System, adjustable riser inserts that let your saddle fitter fine-tune balance, bearing and clearance.
  • EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution, the Gullet System and the Riser System together for a total fitting solution.
  • HART, or Horse and Rider Technology, the umbrella term for all five of our technologies together.

Do not worry if that sounds like a lot of jargon. We will help you work out exactly what your saddle has, what those badges mean, and whether any adjustments can be made.

Does my Wintec saddle have a changeable gullet?

Most Wintec saddles have a changeable gullet, though on older models you may need a qualified saddler to do the honours.

Have a look underneath the pommel. Visible screws, or a hook and loop fastening you can open to get at the gullet plate? That is the EASY-CHANGE Gullet System and you can change it yourself.

Two black screws under the pommel of a Wintec saddle, showing the EASY-CHANGE Gullet System

Any saddle with a serial number starting 10 or higher features the EASY-CHANGE Gullet System, with the exception of Kids and Western saddles.

Completely sealed up with no way in? That is likely one of our older changeable gullet designs, and a saddler will need to take care of it for you.

Still not sure? Your local Wintec Saddles stockist or saddle fitter will be happy to check the saddle over.

Which gullet is in my saddle now?

Open the chamber under the pommel and the plate is colour coded, so you can identify it at a glance.

  • Yellow, narrow, 210 mm
  • Green, medium narrow, 220 mm
  • Black, medium, 230 mm
  • Blue, medium wide, 240 mm
  • Red, wide, 245 mm
  • White, extra wide, 255 mm

WIDE saddles use their own four-plate range: light lilac 1XW at 255 mm, lilac 2XW at 270 mm, light purple 3XW at 280 mm and purple 4XW at 295 mm.

There is a 3 mm tolerance either side because of the way the steel is tempered, and these figures are for reference only rather than for fitting.

Bought your saddle second hand? There is no guarantee the plate in it is the one it left us with. The EASY-CHANGE Gullet Gauge will tell you which one your horse actually needs, and you can buy any size separately.

Does my Wintec saddle have CAIR or HART?

The CAIR Cushion System refers specifically to the air-filled panels in your saddle. Horse and Rider Technology, or HART, is the collective name for a range of saddle technologies, the CAIR Cushion System among them.

Look beneath the rear of the seat for one of the following badges:

  • CAIR badge
  • EASY-CHANGE Gullet System badge
  • EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution badge
  • HART badge

If your saddle has both a CAIR badge and an EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution badge, it includes all of the technologies now recognised as HART. A HART badge means the same thing under the newer branding, and on current saddles it is the only marking you will find.

CAIR, EASY-CHANGE and HART badges found beneath the rear of the seat on a Wintec saddle

My saddle has no badge at all. What does that mean?

If your saddle is showing its age and has a sewn-in tag rather than a stamp, there is a fair chance it was made before 2000 and predates the CAIR Cushion System. A proper veteran. In that case it was most likely flocked when it left the factory.

Stamped serial number and still looking like a spring chicken? We have manufactured a handful of flocked models over the years. A saddle without a CAIR badge is not necessarily an old one, it may just have been built that way.

Either way, your local Wintec Saddles stockist or saddle fitter can take a look in person and tell you exactly what is in your panels.

What is the CAIR Cushion System?

It replaces the traditional fillings in your saddle panel with air. Two independently sealed air cushions sit within each panel, four per saddle.

Air is a fluid medium, so it constantly adapts to your horse's working muscles. Rider weight is distributed evenly across the entire length of the cushion, virtually eliminating pressure points, and it absorbs impact as you ride.

It is patented worldwide and exclusive to Arena Saddles, Bates Saddles and Wintec Saddles.

Do I need to inflate or deflate my CAIR Cushions?

No, and you could not if you wanted to.

The air cushions are shaped and refined at the point of manufacture to give an even thickness throughout the panel, then sealed. They cannot be over-inflated, which would cause bounce, or under-inflated, which would cause excessive saddle movement.

That is deliberate. It means the performance of your panels does not depend on anyone getting the air levels right.

When do I need to replace my CAIR Cushions?

In most cases they will not need replacing unless something does not feel quite right. Your saddle fitter can check their condition during routine saddle checks, maintenance or refitting appointments and let you know if any attention is needed.

If you have picked up an older saddle second hand, or you simply want peace of mind, your local Wintec Saddles stockist or saddle fitter can check them for you. As a general precaution, some riders choose to have them replaced every five years.

My saddle has a CAIR or HART badge but I was told it is flocked

Badges tell you how your saddle left our factory. They cannot tell you what is in it today, and some saddles have had their panels altered along the way.

While it is possible to convert the panel filling from CAIR to traditional flocking, we do not recommend it, and any such alteration will void the saddle's warranty.

If you are not sure what is in your panels, take the saddle to your local Wintec Saddles stockist or saddle fitter and they will inspect it for you.

Does my Wintec saddle have the EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution?

The EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution is the EASY-CHANGE Gullet System and the EASY-CHANGE Riser System together. Your saddle may have it if:

  • The serial number begins with WIP
  • The saddle displays an EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution badge
  • The saddle displays a HART badge beneath the rear of the seat

Want to see it in action? Two short tutorials:

If you have it, you can buy gullets and riser packs and adjust the saddle yourself.

Can I still get parts for an older Wintec saddle?

Usually, yes. Your stockist can special order service lines such as replacement screws or girth points. Take the saddle in, or send them photos and your serial number and they will sort it out.

Gullets and risers you can buy here: EASY-CHANGE gullets and EASY-CHANGE risers. Air cushions and inner flock panels are service centre work, which your stockist can arrange.

Is my saddle still under warranty?

That depends on when it was bought and by whom. Warranty cover sits with the original purchaser, so a second hand saddle will not carry it over. Everything is set out on our warranty page.

If you have bought a new saddle recently, you can also extend your warranty.

I am thinking of buying a pre-owned Wintec. What should I check?

There is something special about giving a well-loved saddle a second chapter, and many older Wintec saddles go on providing years of reliable service.

Here is the thing this guide cannot help you with, though. Everything above tells you what a saddle was on the day it left us. It says nothing about the decades in between. Has the tree taken a knock? Which gullet is actually in there now? Has someone made changes to the panel filling?

None of that shows up in a serial number, so we recommend the advice of your local Wintec Saddles stockist or saddle fitter to assess the saddle's condition and suitability for you and your horse in person. A great price on the wrong saddle is not a bargain.

Worth knowing that we also list gently used event stock on clearance from time to time, sold in as-new condition.

What is my Wintec saddle worth?

Honestly? We are the wrong people to ask.

We make saddles, we do not trade in used ones, so we have no window into what yours might fetch. What we can tell you is that condition does most of the heavy lifting. A well cared for saddle with a sound tree and tidy panels will always hold its own better than one that has spent a few winters in a damp shed.

Have a scroll through online classifieds to see what similar models are going for near you, or ask a second hand retailer. And if you are getting it ready to sell, a bottle of Wintec Saddle Cleaner is the cheapest thing you can do for the photos.

Still scratching your head?

Time for a saddle photo shoot. Contact our team with:

  • Your serial number, typed out in full, because photos of numbers can be tricky to read
  • Photos of both sides of the saddle
  • Photos of anything else stamped or badged that looks like it might mean something

We will dig through what we have and see what we can piece together.

Full disclosure: our serial numbers have taken a few different shapes since 1986, and our records from the early days are a bit thin in places. Some saddles simply hang onto their secrets, which we would argue only adds to the character.

Whatever its vintage, a regular once-over from a qualified saddle fitter or saddler is the best thing you can do for it. A little everyday care does the rest. That is what keeps a saddle sound and ready for wherever you are headed next.