Anyone have the Thorowgood T4 Compact GP?

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SCG

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Had saddle fitter out, tried a Kent & Masters Compact GP which was ok but found the seat hard after the saddle I have been using (Native Comfort Saddle), however it fits my hard-to-fit mare really well and she goes much better in it. Saddle fitter said if you're not that fussed with it, why not get a T8 which is identical except part synthetic but nearly half the price. Good plan I thought but as I also found the K&M very slippery (current saddle has suede seat and knees) I wondered about buying the T4 Compact GP which the fitter assured me is identical to the T8 but has suedy seat and knees. Just wondering if anyone has a newish Compact T4 and can vouch for this?
 
Sorry can't help with T4 but have the T8 with a gel in seat saver and find that super comfy but found it slippy without. Would a seat saver be an option?
 
I have it. Now I advise you to try before you buy, because it's different for everyone but I really find this saddle uncomfortable. I've always had a lot of time for throwogood but this saddle really is not good, imho. There seems to be no room in the seat and even the 18" is tight. It's more like the seat is the wrong shape and tips your hips the wrong way, hard to describe. Now it might suit you but the professional rider who does my horse in the week, insists on using my Heather Moffat as she won't ride in the T4 and my friend now will not ride that horse because of the saddle, both say it's because it hurts them.
As I said try your self but I'm changing next year . The best thing about the saddle is the price.
 
I have the T4 compact and I find it so comfortable and secure, yes very grippy especially when it's slightly damp eg. hacking in the rain! Incidentally my friend has the Kent and Masters version and loves hers too, and we are totally different body shapes.
I think they are a great saddle, and the only one apart from a made to measure that would fit my very short backed horse.
 
I have it as a t6 & another who says it kills the back even with a gel out seat saver. So glad I took the plunge & bought a FlexEE, I didn't realise just how much the TG was affecting me.
Def try before you buy.
 
I didn't think the the "compact" came as a T6? I believe the T6 were phased out before production of the "compact" saddles began.
 
Thanks everyone, mmm not sure what to do now. Although I haven't tried a T4 I have tried the Kent & Masters so assuming they are identical and the only difference is leather/synthetic etc, I know what you mean about uncomfortable and not much room in the seat/strange shape, maybe its because its the Compact version? It might be better with a 17.5" but my mare can only take a 17" unfortunately. I think I could live with it for now as my mare seems to go so well in it, just found it incredibly slippery, poss due to the kind of leather it is made from as haven't found this slipperyness with other leather saddles. So just need to decide whether to get a T8 and use a gel in/out seatsaver which will be more comfy and solve the slipperyness or a T4 which will be grippy but not that comfy. What I really want is an Ideal 'Deal' but can't find one secondhand. Saddles are a nightmare!
 
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