Best saddles with changeable gullet and why?

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Ellietotz

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I'm looking at purchasing yet another saddle... I'm looking for a GP and was originally interested in the Thorowgood but I'm going to branch out now I think.
So what does everyone here think is the best saddle that you can change the gullet on and why? :)

Thank you!
 
One that fits your horse! All will have different tree shapes, different balance, different panel shapes, etc, etc.

We've had a Bates (incredibly curvy), Wintec (curvy), GFS Monarch (not the best made/ balance but flatter tree) and now Skylla has a Kent and Masters original dressage saddle, which is flat in the tree with a good depth of gusset at the back and a panel shape that suits a roof shaped back.
 
AlexHyde said:
One that fits your horse! All will have different tree shapes, different balance, different panel shapes, etc, etc.

We've had a Bates (incredibly curvy), Wintec (curvy), GFS Monarch (not the best made/ balance but flatter tree) and now Skylla has a Kent and Masters original dressage saddle, which is flat in the tree with a good depth of gusset at the back and a panel shape that suits a roof shaped back.
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Yes, well of course! Sorry, should have said that I'm looking for brands mostly so I can see if they have a style/shape that'll fit my mare. I need something with a more curved tree. Have been looking at the Thorowgood T8 Compact and Kent and Masters GP which look like they could work but finding a 17" in brown in good condition seems to be becoming harder than I thought!
 
It can't be harder than trying to find a flat one for the roof shaped baby horse :lol:.

K&M GP in cob (or S series I think, but I was looking for a dressage saddle so not sure on GP's) are more curved. I like the K&M's as they are flocked so can be adjusted and seem nice quality saddles :).

Didn't like the Monarch GFS one really, or Wintec. The Bates saddle was really lovely but the seat came up huge! Never had a Thorowgood so can't comment on them. My friend has the Shires Optimus jump saddle which she likes.
 
Kieffers have quite a curvy tree and I absolutely loved mine, but they are not a budget saddle, especially as the older ones aren't adjustable. Also you need a saddle fitter with the correct equipment to do it as the tree is heat adjustable rather than swopping gullet plates in and out.
 
AlexHyde said:
It can't be harder than trying to find a flat one for the roof shaped baby horse :lol:.

K&M GP in cob (or S series I think, but I was looking for a dressage saddle so not sure on GP's) are more curved. I like the K&M's as they are flocked so can be adjusted and seem nice quality saddles :).

Didn't like the Monarch GFS one really, or Wintec. The Bates saddle was really lovely but the seat came up huge! Never had a Thorowgood so can't comment on them. My friend has the Shires Optimus jump saddle which she likes.
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I can't imagine there are many roof shaped saddles around! How awkward for you! I think they do it on purpose sometimes!

I have the Thorowgood Cob at the moment because my stupid saddle fitter who I shouldn't have trusted told me it would be right without actually measuring my horse or doing anything properly. It's too flat so the pressure is too much on the front and back and not much in the middle.
Never thought of the Shires ones... I'll have a look. She's a pretty standard shape really so I don't need anything flat or super curvy, just normal. I like the K&M and Thorowgood T8 but I can't seem to find one that isn't nearly the cost of what it would be new.
 
Micropony said:
Kieffers have quite a curvy tree and I absolutely loved mine, but they are not a budget saddle, especially as the older ones aren't adjustable. Also you need a saddle fitter with the correct equipment to do it as the tree is heat adjustable rather than swopping gullet plates in and out.
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Thank you. I'll have to have a look at those, as long as it's adjustable, that's okay. I have a budget of up to £600 depending on condition and age so I hope I haven't narrowed the market down TOO much!
 
I have a bates caprilli which fits my horse beautifully, find it really comfortable and copes with the summer weight gain. We also have a wintec dressage and wintec isabel which are the same shape.
Lots of friends like the Kent and masters range but they didn't fit at all, lifting at the back.
 
The Bates Caprilli are lovely saddles if they fit - they are very generous in the seat though, so if you're small you might swim around in them.
I have a GFS Monarch and fit it a lovely comfortable saddle but was a pig to switch the gullets over - I was putting in an extra wide though.
 
Ellietotz said:
I have the Thorowgood Cob at the moment because my stupid saddle fitter who I shouldn't have trusted told me it would be right without actually measuring my horse or doing anything properly. It's too flat so the pressure is too much on the front and back and not much in the middle.
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I would say that it's unlikely it's the tree that's too flat, the panel however IS flat and is quite long - one some shapes with a slightly curve to the back, sloping upwards exactly where the back of the saddle sits, it can perch up and/or dig in depending on which width of headplate you put in. I would recommend looking at a shorter seat size or a much better shaped panel with a shorter, lower rear gusset and move the saddle back a fraction if possible.

I often see people saying they need a curvy tree but it can be misleading - the above is a common scenario where sometimes a flatter tree gives better stability but the seat length and panel needs to be more suitable, or the horse, even with a big wither etc, STILL need flat rails to allow them to move through the middle of the saddle, and keep the saddle stable. A curvy tree is often fitted with a long flat panel which can't truly help make up for the lack of stability.

I fit a few high withered horses by fitting with a flatter tree and shorter panel or seat size, pushing it back a fraction to get it off the wither.

OP I would say that absolutely the best changeable headplate saddle is the one that fits your horse and it's impossible to say which, even with photos an experienced fitter, who works with those types of saddle, might not even be able to say!
 
I've had a couple of different ones but the Thorowgood T4 is my favourite, I love it and it fits my mare like a glove. Our saddle fitter initially recommended the T4 as she is not a fan of the Wintecs...best decision I made was to get one :)
 
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