Where did the other reply go? :S
Are the thorowgood griffin and T4 the same saddle?
I know it's too narrow, I'm looking at getting a new one, this saddle is just what she came with.
Thanks
Nickie
The t4 is the current model, which has a chageable gullet, leather girth straps, etc. From the photo your saddle looks like the older griffin model.
They are very good saddles IMO. I wouldnt ride your horse in that one though, it really is too narrow, so will put huge pressure at the points of the tree and at the ack of the saddle where your weight will be tipped.
I have a few more questions, which I'll add to this post.
I want a new saddle, I'm looking at the Bates Caprilli, (can you get that in high wither? or am I limited for choice)
When a saddle fitter comes out, what happens? Do they bring saddles with them? What happens to the saddle I have already?
Thanks
Looks the same as this i reckon.......... http://www.thorowgood.com/uk/t4/t4_gp.htm
might be worth checking as looking on here you might well be able to change the gullet which would mean you could widen it.
Looks like my breaking saddle, which is a Thorowgood Griffin with the Equi-suede seat. Mine's brown and about 6 years old now. It doesn't have the changeable gullet, either.
When the saddle fitters comes they should bring a selection of saddles with them. Presumably they will ask you about your horse and what you want to use the saddle for, that way they can bring along what they hope will be suitable. When they've found a saddle that looks to fit your horse, you should hop up and try the saddle ridden. Both to check it still fits the horse comfortably, and that you like it. Don't buy a saddle just because it fits your horse. Make sure it fit you too. Even if it means the saddle fitter has to come back and bring another selection for you to try
She will be quite hard to fit. Firstly, she isnt that narrow, so it would be a mistake for someone to fit a too narrow tree in order to clear the wither, which is probably what someone has tried to do with your current saddle.
Secondly, she is quite short between the back of the saddle and the last rib. If your current saddle was in the correct place behind the shoulde blade it would actually be too long for her. this puts strain on the loins.
Thirdly, She also has quite a dipped back.
Fourthly, she looks like she is broad through the ribcage, which may push saddles forward
You need to get a very good saddle fitter out who has a selection of saddles for you to try. ( Ask for recomendations and do your homework!) She is not straightforward so make sure you are not persuaded to make do or are fobbed off with something unsuitable.
dont think of it that way that you won't like the one that fits.
believe me a saddle that fits (and in rubys case is then level) will be sooo much easier to ride in and more comfortable. I am amazed how good your position is with that saddle
Get someone good out with a range of saddles you can try,
That means alot because I am always putting myself down for my riding, (chances are that my position will go to pot when saddle is right lol)
I will make a post and see if anyone on here knows a good saddle fitter in my area
It would be very hard to sit well in your current saddle because it is so out of balance and would put you out too, so dont put yourself down! The saddle is putting you at a big disadvantage!
You may not get an off the peg saddle to suit but some makes could modify a saddle for you. A tree with a cut back pommel would help clear the wither. You really need to find a good fitter and try lots of makes to narrow it down and then see if any of them can make you one to suit, for example, if she needs a wider version of a certain tree with a different panel type than would be usually put on that tree as a standard option. Some makes wouldnt necessarily charge a huge amount more for this.
Have you considered an Ideal? One of my friends has a (very) high withered TB, and that's what she rides him in. Not sure exactly which one it is though, sorry