I can't thank you enough for this! I'm very interested in seeing what the newer cair panels look like now too and how replaceable or repairable they are. I know they don't use staples anymore and the panels are accessed via Velcro so it does sound like a better design. Thanks for putting this info out there and giving us the knowledge we need to keep our best friends comfortable and safe.
Yes, they use velcro now to hold the bags in, which is good, as we have to be able to get in there to get the shims in :) - I'll try and look inside a new one soon
That was a very interesting watch, thank you! Like you say the main thing it highlights is to make sure you get your saddle checked regularly, no matter what the type of saddle you have!
YES! Definitely! I cut a bit out of the video (as I was boring as hell) which said SO many people think these air ones don't need checking... but they do!
I love this video! My young horse was broken in a cair wintec and will only ride in a cair saddle now (Bates) as hates flocking so was super interesting to see this! Also I know you feel it was negative but it was highly informative in taking good care/upkeep of a saddle! Can’t wait to see the new saddle dissections!
Totally agree! It shows why it’s important to look after your saddle and get it checked :) there’s a part three coming up soon with a new version of the CAIR (called HART now)
Honestly.... no, but I didn't *really* check it thoroughly. 😳 But usually a saddle fitter can make an educated guess and feel if one has gone. It is much easier to feel on a leather saddle as the panel material is softer and has more 'give' to it.
@@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter I've recently bought a brand new Bates saddle with HART (wasn't aware that it was air rather than traditional flocking until it was too late to change my mind - should have done my research). I'm a bit worried about it as I don't know much about them. Presumably, although they are not adjustable, I am guessing that the air bag thingys can be replaced?
Love what your doing!! Keep in mind you always can order new Cair bags at your dealer. Obviously only if you can give the serial number as they are patented. Keep on going with your video’s and I’m allready your BIGGEST fan in the Netherlands 🤘🏾👊🏾 Stay safe and sound and wish y’all the best🖤 Greetings from a overseas “colleague-fan”🙋🏾♂️ Akash.
Hello Poppy, is it possible to take the cair system out and fill it with wool? Or does it depend on the version of the wintec saddle. Are the panels okay for wool filling, I think you said somewhere that the leather (or not leather) is not as soft as regular panels...
Hi Poppy! Is there any way we might be able to tell as a rider if one of the air bags has popped? Ive got a really old one of these that I still use and seem to have had no problems!
How do you get these checked? I acquired a saddle and I'd like to check the bags before I change the bullets and maybe add leather over the knee rolls since those are worn.
I have a newer version of bates cair jump saddle and a bates dressage saddle that i bough new, I live in the USA and some saddle fitters can convert them from air to wool flocked, I haven’t gotten it converted yet since there is no issues and the saddle was fitted by saddle fitter.
I've got a Bates cair saddle and I'm hearing a sort of air squeak noise when I sit in the saddle from rising. Should I be able to hear this or does it suggest one of the panels might have popped? The saddel is 8 years old. Thanks
Thank you SO much for this video! It was so interesting because all the saddles I have owned was wintecs and was lucky they fitted my horses. I really like these saddles and like you said they are not expensive so you can get a new one for a good price. I realised for some years ago that the older ones seems much more curved than the newer ones, so my old horse could have an old one but my new horse that has a more straight back fits better in a new one. Also the newer ones have much more space between the panels. Oh my gosh I know so much about these saddles because of interest, yes I'm basically a wintec-nerd 🤣🤣
How would you know if your Windex saddle has a hole in one of the airbags without taking it apart? I have one that I've been happy with, but it is fairly new and if there was a problem with the airbag I'm not sure how I would know.
@Heather Pike hi. Great video. Do you know if the Wintec endurance pro can be fitted with a riser system? I don't really understand how they work as in where to put them. Thanks heather.
if it's one of the newer models then yes it can :) Are you on Facebook? You can post a photo on my group and you'll be able to ask if it's one of the newer models. facebook.com/groups/tackroomchat
I’ve just recently changed my saddle from one of these to a traditional leather saddle with flocking. I didn’t think it would make as much difference as it has done as I didn’t think my mare was reacting to the saddle but she is a lot more settled now that my saddle is much more solid I guess.
@@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter yes I think she was OK in it for a long time but given the difference now, I’m wondering whether my cair has a puncture too as it is the same sort of age as the one you dissected.
I would like to know what is best for my young cob po y. All the saddles I have had seen to slip round her rather round body . I got my saddle company saddle from my saddle fitter and I'm really pleased with it but I think the pee wee cob saddle is where I'm heading. I absolutely love it and I hope the made to measure will do a better job. Love the videos, I've learnt so much xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
didn't show how you took that back part of the panel off at 2.15 it missed it. Can we literally just pull it off the back part of the bar like a glove or is it stitched down together?
I don't find any of this negative. The Wintec is not a high quality hand made last a long time saddle. It has a very useful place, and I have used them, but they do have a limited life, they do wear out. Thank you for showing me the insides!
I have very recently bought a bates saddle with the cair, I was told it had the air bag with a small amount of flocking inside. Is this correct? What are your thoughts on the cair system overall? Regardless while trying multiple saddles me and my horse liked this bates best and he was so much more comfortable in it compared to all the rest, whether or not the cair played a role in it i cant disagree with what my horse finds most comfortable.
Honestly, I'm not sure but I would guess about 20years old and it was VERY well used... it has been sat doing nothing in a tack room for a few years too.
If you give Wintec the serial no. they can answer that, just write on their fb page. I have bought used saddles and asked them to tell me more about the saddle 😁👍🏻
Yikes - I have a Bates saddle with Cair that must be ten years old and now I'm wondering what might be going on in there! 🙈 it has been checked routinely but even so, it makes you think. I also have a Wintec that must be 13/14 years old but has sat in my tackroom doing nothing for the last ten years if you want another Cair Wintec to dissect for comparison!
So glad I found your channel💪🏽🙌🏽👏🏽 my daughter has a very round cob 14.2. They are currently in their 2 nd wintec wide flocked. Our local sms guy said my daughter needs a new saddle due to my daughter growing. He said he finds the wintec wide/cob better than Thorowgood cob, however I’m leaning towards a leather one which would obviously be Bates, but they have Cair. And I want to stick with flocked as our previous sms fitter(now retired) said to pick flocked over cair every time. If I get the wintec with “Hart”,.... that has Cair, and if I go with Bates, that’s not flocked either. Is it possible to get the Cair replaced with flocking, or should I see about a different brand? As I said, she’s a big girl(pony) has never downsized from the dark purple xxxw so need a very wide saddle. Or do you think that the only option is custom made? Thanks Poppy. Hope you and your family, have had a lovely Easter.xx
Aww what a lovely comment to read, thank you so much. If your SMS fitter says Wintec/Bates then defo listen to him. They do fit differently to the Thorowgoods, so it could be a fitting thing rather than a preference for the brand, if that makes sense. Yes, it is possible to get the air changed to flock, but the new air ones are so improved and lots of people love them, so that's definitely worth considering. Not many saddles go happily to a XXXW! You must have a real chunk! Custom made would be another option. It depends very much what you'd prefer - bearing in mind that, at the moment, custom mades are taking longer than usual.
Hmm; I wish you would have dissected the new Wintec, especially since it was gifted to from Wintec. So we could see and evaluate the improvements and changes, good or bad Wintec has made since this old Wintec was manufactured. But many thanks all the same.
It would be a lot more informational if you talked about the panels adjusting to the horses back. A saddle that isn’t broken and you’re dwelling on it endlessly would make a better video.
I can't thank you enough for this! I'm very interested in seeing what the newer cair panels look like now too and how replaceable or repairable they are. I know they don't use staples anymore and the panels are accessed via Velcro so it does sound like a better design. Thanks for putting this info out there and giving us the knowledge we need to keep our best friends comfortable and safe.
Yes, they use velcro now to hold the bags in, which is good, as we have to be able to get in there to get the shims in :) - I'll try and look inside a new one soon
@@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitterhow will I know if it's popped, I've just bought 1, is the only way taking it apart? It's a 2005 500 cair, thanks
Thank you. Best video explaining what "cair" really is.
That was a very interesting watch, thank you! Like you say the main thing it highlights is to make sure you get your saddle checked regularly, no matter what the type of saddle you have!
YES! Definitely! I cut a bit out of the video (as I was boring as hell) which said SO many people think these air ones don't need checking... but they do!
If you can get a saddle fitter to show up. Seriously they are worse than farriers
I love this video! My young horse was broken in a cair wintec and will only ride in a cair saddle now (Bates) as hates flocking so was super interesting to see this! Also I know you feel it was negative but it was highly informative in taking good care/upkeep of a saddle! Can’t wait to see the new saddle dissections!
Totally agree! It shows why it’s important to look after your saddle and get it checked :) there’s a part three coming up soon with a new version of the CAIR (called HART now)
Fascinating ,I had a cair saddle
could you feel that the panels were leaking when the saddle was intact?
Honestly.... no, but I didn't *really* check it thoroughly. 😳 But usually a saddle fitter can make an educated guess and feel if one has gone. It is much easier to feel on a leather saddle as the panel material is softer and has more 'give' to it.
@@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter I've recently bought a brand new Bates saddle with HART (wasn't aware that it was air rather than traditional flocking until it was too late to change my mind - should have done my research). I'm a bit worried about it as I don't know much about them. Presumably, although they are not adjustable, I am guessing that the air bag thingys can be replaced?
@@tracyhidden2592 hi the new Bates and wintec are adjustable now with shims that go inside the panel they are not stapled shut now x
Love what your doing!! Keep in mind you always can order new Cair bags at your dealer. Obviously only if you can give the serial number as they are patented.
Keep on going with your video’s and I’m allready your BIGGEST fan in the Netherlands 🤘🏾👊🏾
Stay safe and sound and wish y’all the best🖤
Greetings from a overseas “colleague-fan”🙋🏾♂️
Akash.
Yes! excellent point, all airbags are replaceable
Hello Poppy, is it possible to take the cair system out and fill it with wool? Or does it depend on the version of the wintec saddle. Are the panels okay for wool filling, I think you said somewhere that the leather (or not leather) is not as soft as regular panels...
Could you possibly do a review on the Stubben equi-soft dressage girth? I would like to know your opinion on them.
Good idea!!
what is the year of the saddle that you took apart in this video? thank you i have a 2018 CAIR Wintec
Hi Poppy! Is there any way we might be able to tell as a rider if one of the air bags has popped? Ive got a really old one of these that I still use and seem to have had no problems!
You can sometimes feel like you've dropped a little, but usually you'd need a fitter to tell you. :)
How do you get these checked? I acquired a saddle and I'd like to check the bags before I change the bullets and maybe add leather over the knee rolls since those are worn.
Can you replace the cair panels with other ones or can you just put flocking in them
I have a newer version of bates cair jump saddle and a bates dressage saddle that i bough new, I live in the USA and some saddle fitters can convert them from air to wool flocked, I haven’t gotten it converted yet since there is no issues and the saddle was fitted by saddle fitter.
If you are happy with the CAIR and your horse is too, then definitely keep it!
I've got a Bates cair saddle and I'm hearing a sort of air squeak noise when I sit in the saddle from rising. Should I be able to hear this or does it suggest one of the panels might have popped? The saddel is 8 years old. Thanks
Thank you SO much for this video! It was so interesting because all the saddles I have owned was wintecs and was lucky they fitted my horses. I really like these saddles and like you said they are not expensive so you can get a new one for a good price. I realised for some years ago that the older ones seems much more curved than the newer ones, so my old horse could have an old one but my new horse that has a more straight back fits better in a new one. Also the newer ones have much more space between the panels. Oh my gosh I know so much about these saddles because of interest, yes I'm basically a wintec-nerd 🤣🤣
Also I would LOVE you to dissect a newer one like an wintec 500 cair from 2010
Haha, a Wintec nerd :D There are worst things to be! I'm going to do a new Wintec 500 very soon!
How would you know if your Windex saddle has a hole in one of the airbags without taking it apart? I have one that I've been happy with, but it is fairly new and if there was a problem with the airbag I'm not sure how I would know.
@Heather Pike hi. Great video. Do you know if the Wintec endurance pro can be fitted with a riser system? I don't really understand how they work as in where to put them. Thanks heather.
if it's one of the newer models then yes it can :) Are you on Facebook? You can post a photo on my group and you'll be able to ask if it's one of the newer models. facebook.com/groups/tackroomchat
I’ve just recently changed my saddle from one of these to a traditional leather saddle with flocking. I didn’t think it would make as much difference as it has done as I didn’t think my mare was reacting to the saddle but she is a lot more settled now that my saddle is much more solid I guess.
It's all about personal taste... some horses LOVE the air, others not so much. So glad you've found one you love. x
@@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter yes I think she was OK in it for a long time but given the difference now, I’m wondering whether my cair has a puncture too as it is the same sort of age as the one you dissected.
I would like to know what is best for my young cob po y. All the saddles I have had seen to slip round her rather round body . I got my saddle company saddle from my saddle fitter and I'm really pleased with it but I think the pee wee cob saddle is where I'm heading. I absolutely love it and I hope the made to measure will do a better job. Love the videos, I've learnt so much xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Aww thank you so much for the kind comments! Have you seen the cob saddle video I did? That's quite good if you're interested in the very wide types
didn't show how you took that back part of the panel off at 2.15 it missed it. Can we literally just pull it off the back part of the bar like a glove or is it stitched down together?
Which Wintec Ap saddle would you recommend for a heavier rider that wants more bang for their buck?
I don't find any of this negative. The Wintec is not a high quality hand made last a long time saddle. It has a very useful place, and I have used them, but they do have a limited life, they do wear out. Thank you for showing me the insides!
I have very recently bought a bates saddle with the cair, I was told it had the air bag with a small amount of flocking inside. Is this correct? What are your thoughts on the cair system overall? Regardless while trying multiple saddles me and my horse liked this bates best and he was so much more comfortable in it compared to all the rest, whether or not the cair played a role in it i cant disagree with what my horse finds most comfortable.
There is a little bit of flocking in the parts where the airbags are not. And yes! Some horses REALLY love them!
How old is that saddle?
Honestly, I'm not sure but I would guess about 20years old and it was VERY well used... it has been sat doing nothing in a tack room for a few years too.
If you give Wintec the serial no. they can answer that, just write on their fb page. I have bought used saddles and asked them to tell me more about the saddle 😁👍🏻
Yikes - I have a Bates saddle with Cair that must be ten years old and now I'm wondering what might be going on in there! 🙈 it has been checked routinely but even so, it makes you think. I also have a Wintec that must be 13/14 years old but has sat in my tackroom doing nothing for the last ten years if you want another Cair Wintec to dissect for comparison!
I'm sure, if you get it checked regularly that it will be fine! Don't panic!
So glad I found your channel💪🏽🙌🏽👏🏽 my daughter has a very round cob 14.2. They are currently in their 2 nd wintec wide flocked. Our local sms guy said my daughter needs a new saddle due to my daughter growing. He said he finds the wintec wide/cob better than Thorowgood cob, however I’m leaning towards a leather one which would obviously be Bates, but they have Cair. And I want to stick with flocked as our previous sms fitter(now retired) said to pick flocked over cair every time. If I get the wintec with “Hart”,.... that has Cair, and if I go with Bates, that’s not flocked either. Is it possible to get the Cair replaced with flocking, or should I see about a different brand? As I said, she’s a big girl(pony) has never downsized from the dark purple xxxw so need a very wide saddle. Or do you think that the only option is custom made?
Thanks Poppy. Hope you and your family, have had a lovely Easter.xx
Aww what a lovely comment to read, thank you so much. If your SMS fitter says Wintec/Bates then defo listen to him. They do fit differently to the Thorowgoods, so it could be a fitting thing rather than a preference for the brand, if that makes sense. Yes, it is possible to get the air changed to flock, but the new air ones are so improved and lots of people love them, so that's definitely worth considering. Not many saddles go happily to a XXXW! You must have a real chunk! Custom made would be another option. It depends very much what you'd prefer - bearing in mind that, at the moment, custom mades are taking longer than usual.
I think it's scary that they can pop without you mabye realising until a fitter comes out. Was considering buying an air one, now not so sure
Hmm; I wish you would have dissected the new Wintec, especially since it was gifted to from Wintec. So we could see and evaluate the improvements and changes, good or bad Wintec has made since this old Wintec was manufactured.
But many thanks all the same.
Hey, I looked at the new Wintec in a different video: th-cam.com/video/JWJAMCVp7ow/w-d-xo.html
@@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter Many thanks, I look forward to checking that out.:))
It would be a lot more informational if you talked about the panels adjusting to the horses back. A saddle that isn’t broken and you’re dwelling on it endlessly would make a better video.