Wintec Saddles Serial Number FAQ's

Since Wintec Saddles brightly burst onto the riding scene in 1986, they've 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're sizing one up before you buy, there's plenty it can tell you about itself. You just need to know where to look.

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 saddle’s serial number?

Depending on your saddle's vintage, it'll 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 doesn't show up straight away. The older ones can be a bit shy.

Can't 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 saddle's serial number?

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

What do the stamps on my saddle mean?

Some Wintec saddles feature stamps that provide information about the saddle's design and intended use.

You may find markings such as:

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 feature these stamps, but if yours does, they can give you a head start in discovering more about your saddle.

What discipline is my 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: Designed to sit between dressage and jump saddles, 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.

What is my saddle's seat size?

Usually the last two numbers, sitting after a dash, are your saddle's seat size in centimetres:

  • -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 won't hold true for every saddle. If yours isn't playing ball, just measure it. Run a tape from the middle of the saddle nail to the middle of the cantle and there's your seat size—no decoding required.

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

How old is my Wintec saddle?

If the first two numbers are 10 or higher, that's 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 won't be reliable for everything made before 2010.

What technologies might be inside my saddle?

By now you've probably realised Wintec saddles have picked up a few clever tricks since 1986.

Depending on when your saddle was made, you may come across names like:

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

Does my 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's the EASY-CHANGE Gullet System and you can change it yourself.

Wintec serial numbers

Any saddle with a serial number starting 10 or higher features the EASY-CHANGE Gullet System. Kids' and western saddles excepted.

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

Still not sure? Contact your local Wintec Saddles stockist or saddle fitter and they will be happy to check the saddle over for you.

Does my saddle have CAIR or HART?

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

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 features both a CAIR badge and an EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution badge, it includes all of the technologies now recognised as HART. A HART badge indicates the same thing, just under the newer branding.

No badge?

If your saddle is showing its age and has a sewn-in tag rather than a stamp, there's a fair chance it was manufactured before 2000 and predates the CAIR Cushion System—a proper veteran. In these cases it is likely your saddle was flocked when it left the factory. 

Stamped serial number and still looking like a spring chicken? We've manufactured a handful of flocked models over the years. A saddle without a CAIR badge isn't 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's in your panels.

What is CAIR?

The CAIR Cushion System replaces the traditional fillings in your saddle panel with air. Two independently sealed air cushions sit within each saddle panel, a total of four per saddle.

Air being a fluid medium will constantly adapt to your horse's working muscles, so your weight is distributed evenly across the entire length of the cushion, virtually eliminating pressure points.

It's 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 couldn't if you wanted to.
The air cushions are shaped and refined at the point of manufacture to provide an even thickness throughout the panel, then sealed. They can't be over-inflated resulting in bounce or under-inflated resulting in excessive saddle movement. 

That's deliberate. It means the performance of your panels doesn't depend on anyone getting the air levels right. 

When do I need to replace my CAIR Cushions?

In most cases, your CAIR Cushions won't need replacing unless something doesn't 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've picked up an older saddle second-hand or simply want peace of mind, your local Wintec Saddles stockist or saddle fitter can check their condition 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's flocked?

While badges tell you how your saddle left our factory, it cannot necessarily tell you what's in it today. 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 this modification. Please note that any such alteration will void the saddle's warranty.

If you're not sure what's in your saddle's panels, take your saddle to your local Wintec Saddles stockist or saddle fitter and they will be able to inspect it for you.

Does my saddle have the EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution?

The EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution combines the EASY-CHANGE Gullet System and EASY-CHANGE Riser System.

Your saddle may feature the EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution 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 the EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution in action?

You can find links to a series of short tutorials below:

Eyeing off a pre-owned Wintec?

There's something special about giving a well-loved saddle a second chapter, many older Wintec saddles continue to provide years of reliable service. 

Here's the thing this guide can't help you with, though. Everything above tells you what a saddle was on the day it left us. It says nothing about the decade/s 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. Therefore, we recommend seeking 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 isn't a bargain.

What's my Wintec saddle worth?

Honestly? We're the wrong people to ask.

We make saddles, we don't trade in used ones, so we've got 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's spent a few winters in a damp shed.

Have a scroll through online classifieds pages to see what similar models are going for near you or seek the advice of a second hand retailer.

Still scratching your head?

Still no luck? Time for a saddle photo shoot. Contact our team with: 

  • Your serial number, typed out in full (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'll dig through what we've got 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'd 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. That's what keeps a saddle sound and ready for wherever you're headed next.