Cob Saddles - Recommendations?!

WildRider

WildRider

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Sorry, bit of an essay, but please bear with me and read through as I need your help!

Trying to find a new saddle for my mare as I've come to the conclusion that the saddle I was sold a couple of years ago doesn't fit. Which I said at the time but the saddler was adamant that despite being a 14.3 cob, an 18" would fit, and who am I to argue with a professional and qualified person right?? But I really can't ignore the fact that it's too long for her and just not fair, despite repeated assurances since from said saddler.

So... My first thought was a Thorowgood T4/T6 - or better yet, a Kent & Masters - Cob GP, as they are adjustable as she changes shape through the year, are generally well reviewed and look fairly smart, yet without costing the earth. But having used a flexicurve to measure her wither to ensure that one would give a half decent fit (I found a site selling them at a good rate, but too far away for the resident fitter to visit, so I was going to purchase and then get a more local fitter out), despite her not being particularly broad/flat backed in general, apparently she is too wide at the wither for a Thorowgood/K&M to fit, even at the widest!!! Now I know they go up to similar sorts of widths to other saddles, which means I'm now a bit stumped!!

So pretty please can I have recommendations for cob-suitable, preferably GP, saddles?! As I prefer to look into them before getting a saddler out so that I know some info on it and therefore can read through any sales talk!! Secondhand or new, I'd just appreciate any and all suggestions/thoughts............

:)
 
I've got a saddle company saddle on the way - for my 14.3 xxxw mare! Tried the K&M and god knows how many other saddles on her, nothing fit. This is totally adjustable (theres a machine my saddler carries in the back of his van that does it) and I can't wait for it to arrive. Seem to be a lot of good recommendations on other threads about them too :)
 
Thanks very much, just had a look on their website and they do look nice. Judging by their 'Dealer Location' function there isn't anyone particularly near me, but I guess it's worth seeing if they'll travel.

Any other recommendations guys?
 
Sorry, interrupting. I've got a thread going re. "saddle ideas for flat-backed cob" (or similar, sorry can't remember quite what the title is!) so might be worth looking at what people have suggested there?

I've just tried a K&M for mine; the saddler thought it was OK'ish, but mine arched his back as if to bronc (bad sign with him, coz he ain't joking, he means it when it does that!!), so I declined. It was a nice saddle though, and price was very good.

We also tried a Thorowgood - nice and cheap I thought (LOL), but nope, that didn't fit. I wouldn't personally touch a Wintec with a bargepole.

Have also tried a HM Vogue/treeless, but wasn't sure, and they're an expensive pop if you're not sure about the whole treeless thing. I feel I need more support than a treeless gives, plus am worried about the pressure coming from the stirrup bars which is apparently what you have to be careful of if going treeless.

Sooooo ... am taking my boy to the most expensive place in the area which is supposed to be the dogs knobs - with price to match, BUT they have a good reputation and hopefully we will get sorted.

Blimmin horses.
 
I too have a saddle company, but also have used a Forrester which is designed for large shoulders.

My lad had very large shoulders but has withers, and both of these really suit him.

I also have a Barefoot treeless which is very comfortable for hacking, but I prefer not to jump more than 2'6 in it.

My lad is nearly 15.1 and has 17.5 and could take an 18" but he is not as short backed as some.
 
I put a post up not long ago about my cob as well. I have now just ordered a made to meassure saddle from a good friend (He's a master saddler) and it's a bloody good price and made in England with real leather.

Tried Wintec, never again, had a Thorowgood fitted for 2 years now has rubbed his back and he's been off work now for 6 weeks!!!! (He was 4 he's now 6 and filled out some.)

Good luck with the saddle hunt :)
 
My mare is also too wide for the interchangeable gullets and for most 'off the peg' saddles.

It worked out cheaper for me to get one made to measure, it cost £760 altogether and fits her perfectly.

I am so happy I decided to go for it.

Look up Heritage Saddlery, if you're interested.


P.s. I had a saddle company saddle which did not fit my cob whatsoever. It slipped in every direction. I was told by two saddlers that, even if it were adjusted, it would never fit her shape (a table top).

P.p.s. My saddler was unhappy putting a 17.5" on my 15 hand Welsh Cob as it was borderline too long. I have a 17 inch. Although, my mare is relatively short backed.
 
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Try a thorowgood on as they may be wide enough. Mine is tabletop flat and the widest gullet is fine. However the whole saddle is too long :( (17" is smallest and he's more 16")

Ideal do a very good saddle for totally flat cobs, and Native Pony Company too. I found the Saddle Company saddles get too curved for very very flat horses at the widest widths.
 
My cob has a wide GFS gp saddle which fits beautifully, although unlike most cobs he does have some wither, he still has a table back!

I also found a wide Jeffries Falcon event fitted well too but the GFS proved more comfortable for hunting.

Funnily enough the Throwogood cob didn't fit at all and his old owner rode him a in a wide wintec 2000.

Doubt that helps!
 
The Kent and Masters saddle does go very wide. My cob is virtually flat backed she is currently in the second widest gullet so could go a bit wider if needed! When I used the flexicurve I didn't think it would fit. I bought the saddle second hand and got my saddler to come and fit it, she says it is fine.
You could get a saddler to come out to you and try and Thorowgood or K&M saddle.
 
Both of mine (mother & daughter) are completely flat backed, no withers and huge shoulders - built like a hippopotamous. I have a GFS xxw which his just about wide enough for one and a new Barnsby Haflinger/Highland/cob in xxw which is extremely wide, but still comfy to sit on. I had a xxw Thorogood cob and found it very uncomfortable, like it was dislocating my hips!!!.
 
Used to have a Wintec - like putting a board on a barrell - didnt fit me or my girl, slipped on her and was bluddy uncomfortable, far too wide in the "twist" - felt like i was splitting my kipper if you will excuse the expression.

Then opted for a GFS - not bad, but used to rub her back

Then a wonderful master saddler from Ireland suggested the Jeffries Pro-Hawk Event - and that fits both me and her just dandy. It is an extra wide and she is a very flat girl with huge shoulder movement. Ideally she could probably do with a straighter cut saddle for showing, however i find this one just fine for me and general pony club type activites. I do get it looked at every 6 months but that is just my indulgence to make sure that everything is still as good as it can be.

I have read on other threads of a similar nature in the past that people have found the Jeffries to be a good sadlle for cobs.

Good luck with your search.
 
I've just had to get another saddle for my no withers/ table top/ massive shouldered neddy - from a very good but more expensive saddler - but try to find out what shape the tree is. My new saddle has a U shaped tree instead of a V shaped tree. (upside down obviously!) And now the pressure is much more evenly distributed along his back/ ribs. My old saddle with a V shaped tree (extra wide falcon) was restricting is shoulder movement and he just couldn't walk out. He's now much happier as he can move!
 
Thank so much for all the suggestions/warnings guys!!

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite - I appreciate the interruption, anything to help!! I've had a look, and I agree with your comment about why do saddlers only ever bring a couple of saddles!! I used to have a really good saddler, trusted him implicitly and he was great with my horses, would always bring PLENTY of saddles to try, but sadly he is no more. Since then, I've had a couple of 'undersirables' and the last one as I said, fitted a saddle that I thought was far too large but she insisted was fine. 18" on a 14.3 mare without a long back?! 17" max is what she can take. GRRRR!!!! I also agree about Wintecs - wouldn't go anywhere near one! Good luck with your expensive fitter, let me know how you get on!

For those who suggested treeless, I did look into them before, but I'd rather have a tree'd one (call me old fashioned LOL...)

Tobysg - Those Heritage saddles look really really nice!!! It's interesting what you say about the Saddle Company ones, and I'll definitely bear it in mind as I have to confess I'd prefer a saddle that has more adjustability than simply adding/removing flocking... But slipping around on her back is one of the problems I've had with saddles in the past -_-

Katherine1975, did your cob measure outside the template that Thorowgood have on their website then? I'd appreciate confirmation as I'm reluctant to get someone out who 'specialises' in Thorowgood/Kent & Masters only to find that I was right, so I'd appreciate confirmation!! :) :)

Hmmm... Looks like GFS/Jeffries may also be an option, although I do really like the look of the Heritage ones, and the Saddle Company may still be worth looking into. Thank you all for your help - you are all lovely, lovely people!! :D
 
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