An idiots guide to saddles-thorowgoods

M

midnight mayhem

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 November 2011
Messages
410
Visit site
I've had the saddler out recently, my horse is currently in a wintec which does not fit well. The saddler has advised I get a thorowgood t4 for her and then he'll come out again to fit this.
So I've had a look on eBay etc but it's a minefield to me, being an absolute numpty when it comes to saddles. What is the difference between a t4 and a maxim and all the others? So confused!
 
I'm guessing your saddler wants you to get one with an adjustable gullet, I am pretty sure that the maxams dont have this. They did a T4 and a T6, the T4 was the cheaper version, and the earlier models didnt have the adjustable gullet I dont think. The T6 was supposed to look very much like an all leather saddle, so I would imagine that either would do for you. I have had both models at different times and liked them both, but I am quite a fan of Thorowgood! See what you can find on ebay, I got a lovely T6 a couple of years ago, just got it fitted and adjusted by my saddler.
Just make sure its got the adjustable gullet, and I think you will be fine!
 
The angle of the tree is different it comes out at more of an agle rather than straight my saddler had advised I stick with the thorowgoods for this reason so maybe they vary through the range as well I spoke to Thorowgood before when he recommended that's what I get to find a stockist they would suggest due to warranty etc and they were very helpful :)
 
T4 is suede effect seat and knee rolls with symthetic flaps, very easy to clean.

T6 is all symthetic again easy to clean but cheap looking T6 is leather although is you are going down that route look for a Kent and Masters as they are made by the same people.

They do various different fits though eg cob, cob plus high wither etc so you need to find out which you actually need. Does your saddler stock them?
 
Also there are high wither, cob and ordinary models so make sure you check it is the right one if it doesn't already say (some of the adverts are a bit basic!) There is also a T8 which is the newest and I think has leather kneepads and seat.

I have a Kent and masters cob which is apparently on the same tree which I had fitted by a saddler. I did toy with the idea of trying a thorowgood myself based on this (as the saddler messed me around a bit) but I couldn't find the right one for particularly cheap so coughed up for all leather since it will last better (i hope). I still might get one as a spare as I like to ride in the rain and batter them about a bit!
 
mandwhy said:
Also there are high wither, cob and ordinary models so make sure you check it is the right one if it doesn't already say (some of the adverts are a bit basic!) There is also a T8 which is the newest and I think has leather kneepads and seat.

I have a Kent and masters cob which is apparently on the same tree which I had fitted by a saddler. I did toy with the idea of trying a thorowgood myself based on this (as the saddler messed me around a bit) but I couldn't find the right one for particularly cheap so coughed up for all leather since it will last better (i hope). I still might get one as a spare as I like to ride in the rain and batter them about a bit!
Click to expand...

Thats exactly what I did. I now have a new K and M which I never use and a second hand T4 which I use all the time
 
If you go on their site, you can download a fitting guide which will allow you to choose the type of saddle and width of gullet. If you are getting one off ebay, the maxim and griffin saddles do not have changeable gullets. The T4 and t6 does. You can get each in three styles: Cob, normal gp and high wither. To decide which you need, download the pdf file and use the charts provided to measure your horse. You will also need a bendy ruler. If you do it right, then you can do all the fitting yourself, though may want to get your saddler to check it.
 
Ooh webble I haven't found anyone who can compare them, do you find it to be exactly the same saddle but in synthetic, or are there other differences? In pictures the TG look a bit more forward cut but they are usually plonked on the back of a chair so who can tell. I have seen a few cob dressage versions. She defo needs straight cut as possible.

It upsets me when I get mud on my saddle and I would rather not have to worry as long as it hasn't got holes and tears in it!
 
I would recommend playing safe and getting a recommendation from the saddler, the exact model, seat size, gullet width etc. Seeing as you're working with a fitter it seems crazy to rely on the TG guidelines.
 
mandwhy said:
Ooh webble I haven't found anyone who can compare them, do you find it to be exactly the same saddle but in synthetic, or are there other differences? In pictures the TG look a bit more forward cut but they are usually plonked on the back of a chair so who can tell. I have seen a few cob dressage versions. She defo needs straight cut as possible.

It upsets me when I get mud on my saddle and I would rather not have to worry as long as it hasn't got holes and tears in it!
Click to expand...

Pretty much yes. I actually find the T4 to be more comfy and of course its a bit lighter too. I have taken it to the beach and through some pretty muddy places and with a quick wipe over it looks fab again. I havent studied the cut but didnt notice any difference in them. Mine are both cob gp
 
midnight mayhem said:
Are the t4 and the t6 the only thorowgood saddles with changeable gullets?
Click to expand...

No the T8 does too and the co that make them also make Kent and Masters which are a leather saddle with changeable gullet. All of the above have different styles though eg standard GP High With Cob Cob plus so you really need to try a few different ones with your saddler to get the right fit and cut.

Does your saddler not sell these or have any second hand ones? If not try www.saddlesdirect.co.uk
 
Do not buy anything until your saddle tells you which model to buy!

Thorowgood have made many many models. They couldn't use adjustable gullets until the wintec patent ran out. The ones you will still see today are the

Griffin. old model, predecessor to the T4. Was their top of the range.Suade knee rolls and seat. With Fish (in the newer models) but not adjustable gullet.

Maxam. Cheaper version. Cloth material. There are many many versions of it over the years so they fit different. They've recently make a version that's got an adjustable gullet .

Sigma. Cheapest of the cheap. Rarely seen nowadays as the material doesn't last.

T4. Updated version of the Griffin. Original models do NOT have adjustable gullet although they're very similar to look at. Be careful to check!

T6. Same as the T4 but in a leather- look synthetic. No longer made, which is a shame as they're nice saddles.

L6. Rare and briefly made. All leather. Replaced by the Kent and Masters saddles ( new company name, same people)

T8 has replaced the T6 and has leather bits.

They also briefly did a 3D version (in T4 and T6 material). Not only could you change the gullet, you could also swap the panel types about too. Brilliant idea but too expensive to be viable.

Then you have all the pony saddles they do, plus specialist saddles.

The above are all difference is material. On top of that they also all come in three styles : high withered, standard and cob versions. And they come in GP, dressage and jumping models.

There are so many options that there's a Thorowgood to fit most horses BUT you need to know model, style and type!
 
I am sure if you give your saddler a call they will know what model you need as in cob, high wither etc and can estimate a size. I know a saddler who does actually stock synthetic and does second hand but the guy I used in the end doesn't.

Thanks for the info webble I think I will try and pick one up if I see one, it would be useful if I went to the beach and stuff :-) plus I know it would be an option if I ever needed to sell my saddle :-)
 
I would see if you can borrow one before you buy it... my saddler told me to buy a T4 for my old horse so I duly purchased one off Preloved. I hated it with a passion, worst saddle I've ever ridden in. Had it fitted to the horse and detested it. It's so hard and uncomfortable, I had to put a seat saver on the seat. It's awful to jump in, no security at all, and I found the saddle to just be enormous in every way. I bought it in a 17.5in (as told to) and also had a 17.5in Ideal Jessica already yet the T4 seemed massive in comparison. Sold it fairly quickly, vile thing.
 
I've got a K&M, an L6 (one of the rare ones) and a T6 and I have to say I love them all. All have changeable gullets and are really comfy. PM me if you decide on an L6 as I'm selling mine.
 
Sorry to hijack the thread, but I have got the same problem with the same answer! Saddler has suggested I go for a thorowgood changeable gullet but she doesn't sell saddles and has told me to use somebody who can bring a few out for me and if I need any help to give her a call. Have someone recommended coming next week, had my heart set on the T8 but she doens't hold them though. She will be bringing the T4 with her and maybe the T6 I guess and a few other bits!
If she fitted the T4/T6, would I be able to order a T8 in the same sizes once I have all the exact measurements? Are they similar enough to do this, as I really do worry it wont fit me/horse :confused:

I really do hate saddle shopping!!! :(
 
Yes, you could order the upgrade material model. Just bear in mind the T4 are often a slightly overrflocked (deeper panels) compared to the T6 because the materials seems to be softer and thinner.

You do need to know what model though! The cob (square cantle) often fits well on 'normal' backs with extra flocking in front. The standard is easier to find 2nd hand though!
 
Well the saddler said that if I could get her to fit which ever thorowgood she has on her, get all the measurements and sizes I need and then order my new T8 one from a stockits it should be fine. But I do worry that being the newer model it wont fit the same!
I may just have to get the saddler out after I have the new one just to check... :o Expensive but just worry that it wont fit :rolleyes:
 
Just make sure the T4/T6 is the newest model they've made. All Thorowgood have a seriel number on them (on a tag under the flaps) so you could always take the one that fits well and call them to check?
 
I think I'm a bit clearer now-thanks guys :-) I know what size and to get the t4. I'm guessing the cob model but will ring saddler to check that- he does not stock these saddles, only wintec at the moment which I've already got but is too small for my ass :-/
Saddle shopping is a nightmare!!!
 
midnight mayhem said:
I think I'm a bit clearer now-thanks guys :-) I know what size and to get the t4. I'm guessing the cob model but will ring saddler to check that- he does not stock these saddles, only wintec at the moment which I've already got but is too small for my ass :-/
Saddle shopping is a nightmare!!!
Click to expand...

If you have a bendy ruler and can lay it along her withers and down to the back then draw the curve, you can lay it against the chart they give you on their website which tells you whether you need cob, standard or high withered.
 
I just wish they still did 16.5" versions of the normal t4. The cob is too flat and wide at the back, and the pony club one is just a mini version of the cob. If they still did the normal withered version in a pony size I would have one. I've had to get a wintec instead.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top