Experiences With Thorowgood T4 Cob Saddles?

[Cheshire Chestnut]

After wasting hundreds of pounds trying to find a good quality leather saddle for my Welsh D, I'm on the verge of throwing in the towel and just getting a synthetic one. I'm borrowing a Thorowgood T4 Cob from another livery at the moment and it fits him great, plus I think it's comfy to ride in. Granted, it doesn't look as nice (in my opinion) as my leather one but it's nice to ride in and he's comfy in it - that's all that matters and all I do is schooling, fun rides and hacking anyway, my days of showing are now gone!

My instructor told me they aren't great as they make riders sit in a weird position (she said they tip you forward) and therefore in the long run aren't great for the horse's back. Is this right? Has anyone with one ridden in one long term? She's a big lover of leather saddles and I don't think she's ridden in many synthetic ones so might just be a bit harder to convince!

Just to add - Wintecs and other adjustable saddles don't fit him, at least I know the T4 Cob does.

Any honest reviews would be appreciated

 

[webble]

I had one and hated it, it either put me in a chair seat or yes tipped me forward which then slid my legs back and I fell off a lot! IIn fact I fell off more in the time I had the Thorowgood saddles than the whole of my riding life. I assumed it was my riding but I have only fallen off once in the year and a half I have had my current saddle and that was only because I forgot to do the girth up!!

 

[Cheshire Chestnut]

I had one and hated it, it either put me in a chair seat or yes tipped me forward which then slid my legs back and I fell off a lot! IIn fact I fell off more in the time I had the Thorowgood saddles than the whole of my riding life. I assumed it was my riding but I have only fallen off once in the year and a half I have had my current saddle and that was only because I forgot to do the girth up!!

Thanks for this - I think it's what she means! My boy is fantastioc at putting in last minute 'skidding stops' at fences so I really don't want something that tips me forward

*sign* no idea what to do.

 

[webble]

Thanks for this - I think it's what she means! My boy is fantastioc at putting in last minute 'skidding stops' at fences so I really don't want something that tips me forward

*sign* no idea what to do.

Yes mine does that and sideways leaps away from bushes too, I really thought it was just me until I got my new saddle. The other problem I had was I do fairly long hacks and found that more tha an hour or so in the saddle and my bum started to hurt and my back ache because the stupid thing was like rock

 

[Cheshire Chestnut]

Yes mine does that and sideways leaps away from bushes too, I really thought it was just me until I got my new saddle. The other problem I had was I do fairly long hacks and found that more tha an hour or so in the saddle and my bum started to hurt and my back ache because the stupid thing was like rock

What do you have now? I currently have a goregous Black Country GP but he's a young Welsh D and finally got him fit, it now bridges on his back and caused him back ache towards the back of the saddle. It took me a while to realise this as the saddle fitted perfectly (had it fitted by two fitters) a while back. I'm gutted but what can you do?

 

[webble]

What do you have now? I currently have a goregous Black Country GP but he's a young Welsh D and finally got him fit, it now bridges on his back and caused him back ache towards the back of the saddle. It took me a while to realise this as the saddle fitted perfectly (had it fitted by two fitters) a while back. I'm gutted but what can you do?

A Heather Moffett Flexee it is the most comfortable thing I have ever sat in and as I say the only time I have come off is when pony shot sideways from a duck and the saddle went under her belly but that was my fault They do come in leather now too if you prefer that although I find the suede seat gives me a bit more grip

 

[MissTyc]

I have two TG cobs for flatwork and I have got on very well with them. One is a T4 on my chunky 14.2hh cob and we compete dressage in it - I did have the stirrup bars altered a touch to enable me to ride with a straighter leg. Perhaps it tilts me a little, but compared to the other saddles I have tried with this horse, I am much more comfortable and much happier. He does not have any back problems, has had this saddle for 5 years now. When he was younger, it constantly needed altering, but he's 9 now and the last couple years his shape has remained consistent. The other is a T8 for my mare, and I like it just as much so far. Only had it 6 months but it's a very comfortable saddle.

 

[Cheshire Chestnut]

I have two TG cobs for flatwork and I have got on very well with them. One is a T4 on my chunky 14.2hh cob and we compete dressage in it - I did have the stirrup bars altered a touch to enable me to ride with a straighter leg. Perhaps it tilts me a little, but compared to the other saddles I have tried with this horse, I am much more comfortable and much happier. He does not have any back problems, has had this saddle for 5 years now. When he was younger, it constantly needed altering, but he's 9 now and the last couple years his shape has remained consistent. The other is a T8 for my mare, and I like it just as much so far. Only had it 6 months but it's a very comfortable saddle.

Thank you for this. I'm glad to hear about your cob not having back problems - this is a main concern for me. The saddler said she can alter the current leather saddle again to stop it from bridging but after £300+ in physio and vets bills with his sore back I've been put off so might just bite the bullet and get the T4.

 

[sychnant]

I was going to get one of these for my Gypsy Cob, but instead I bought a Saddle Company saddle from Nickie Jones, a SC fitter. It's the most comfortable saddle I've ever sat it, fully adjustable, and was only £375 fitted (second hand but perfect condition)

She's on Facebook as Saddle Fitter Nickie Jones if you want to take a look. She's absolutely lovely and very honest - she did tell me that the saddle I had was fine and fitted well, but I wanted something in brown leather for showing.

She covers south Cheshire so may be worth getting in touch with her. She won't do a "hard sell" on you

 

[MagicMelon]

To be honest, if its all that fits him right now then I'd go for it and then try to change saddles once he changes shape a bit (if he gets fitter etc.). I had a huge problem getting a saddle to fit my AA, everything went up her neck. It totally baffled my saddler! In the end I found the T4 Cob was the only one that didnt go anywhere so I had to go with that. Otherwise the saddler was coming to the conclusion that no treed saddle would fit her! It's not doing her any harm but its not a perfect fit IMO but she's the type to soon tell me if it was uncomfy for her. I absolutely hate it to ride in (no knee roll support at all so very unsupportive to jump in and I feel perched). But I'm just making do with it for a bit until she changes shape (which she will as I only backed her a few months ago and she was overweight). I'm desperately hoping eventually she'll fit my WOW (which I had adapted to her at the very beginning but it shot straight up neck!) as I adore it!

 

[katherine1975]

I have a t4 cob gp and the cob dressage version. My mare is very sensitive due to having a badly fitting saddle in the past. I do find the gp saddle puts me in a slight chair position but I only use this saddle for jumping. I mostly use the dressage saddle and find it fits both of us really well.

 

[Cheshire Chestnut]

I was going to get one of these for my Gypsy Cob, but instead I bought a Saddle Company saddle from Nickie Jones, a SC fitter. It's the most comfortable saddle I've ever sat it, fully adjustable, and was only £375 fitted (second hand but perfect condition)

She's on Facebook as Saddle Fitter Nickie Jones if you want to take a look. She's absolutely lovely and very honest - she did tell me that the saddle I had was fine and fitted well, but I wanted something in brown leather for showing.

She covers south Cheshire so may be worth getting in touch with her. She won't do a "hard sell" on you

That's fab thank you!! I've had a few saddle fitters but non of them sell second hand leather saddles (think these types of saddle fitters are becoming a rarity) so I will defo get in touch with her

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I tried the Thorowgood T4 for my trad-cob. Fortunately I had borrowed it not spent any money on it.

It was simply the most uncomfortable saddle I have ever ridden in. Within less than half an hour I had to get off and walk, I was in so much discomfort and sheer pain.

So that was the end of that!

But good luck to anyone that finds it is the right saddle for their horse.

Since, I've tried a HM FlexEE VSD synthetic, am still experimenting with getting the flocking just right....... but he seems to like that and go well in it.

Also the Exmoor Tree-Free saddle is good; a lovely saddle with knee rolls, which doesn't seem to feel as wide on him as other treeless saddles have.

Tried the Barefoots. Size 1 too small for me; size 2 too big for both of us! So have given up on those.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I've got a K&M 17.5" s series compact GP, currently in W/XW. I'm not selling, as it fits my 15.3hh HW maxicob, but if you want to try it on your chap, I'm not far from you . It has a fairly flat tree, so is good for cob types.

I share your pain re this saddle fitting malarkey

 

[sbloom]

Thank you for this. I'm glad to hear about your cob not having back problems - this is a main concern for me. The saddler said she can alter the current leather saddle again to stop it from bridging but after £300+ in physio and vets bills with his sore back I've been put off so might just bite the bullet and get the T4.

If a horse changes shape then the saddle won't fit and it needs adjusting. If you don't catch it in time it will cause problems and this isn't the fault of the original fitter or the saddle. A horse getting wider will make a saddle bridge as well as making it too high at the front, all your weight gets tipped back so it's no wonder your horse is sore at the back. Please don't let this make you wary of your BC saddle, it may very well be the perfect fit once adjusted. It seems a shame to lose a load of money having to sell the saddle and getting a saddle that will never be the same quality (or have the stability of your wooden tree in the BC). Ask your fitter how you can better monitor your horse's shape and the saddle fit so you know when to get him or her out.

I find the TG/K&M trees, and any synthetic changeable headplate trees, to not be flat enough for many cobs, they can sit perched and roll around. They are known for tipping riders forwards, going up a seat size seems to help but not if your horse is short backed, and most cobs are!

 

[Thistle]

Kent and Masters cob GP is the leather version of Thorowgood saddles

 

[BayLady]

Kent and Masters cob GP is the leather version of Thorowgood saddles

I have a Kent & Masters cob on my Haflinger x Welsh D, it fits him really nicely. He's gone up two widths in the 3 months he's had it, purely through muscling up under it as he's not fat (muzzled!). I did sit on a T4 before buying the K&M and I really didn't like it, it made me feel perched on top and far away from his back. The K&M is much closer contact and comfortable. It probably doesn't put me in a 100% classical dressage seat but at this point in time as long as it fits him and I can be effective and comfy, I can live with that. It definitely doesn't tip me forwards at all.

I had a HM FlexEE for a few months, my boy really didn't like it. He was getting progressively more nappy and difficult. When he bolted whilst I was doing the (dressage!) girth up, I decided it was a saddle with a standard girth attachment, so I didn't have to hang half off every time I did it up, or a new horse! Swopped him to a Black Country GPD and he was instantly tons better, hasn't napped or bolted since, so it was definitely something about the saddle that he didn't like, though physio didn't show any problems with it as such. He's outgrown the Black Country now though, hence the adjustable K&M, though I've only got about two widths left before that's not wide enough either, sigh!

 

[Cheshire Chestnut]

If a horse changes shape then the saddle won't fit and it needs adjusting. If you don't catch it in time it will cause problems and this isn't the fault of the original fitter or the saddle. A horse getting wider will make a saddle bridge as well as making it too high at the front, all your weight gets tipped back so it's no wonder your horse is sore at the back. Please don't let this make you wary of your BC saddle, it may very well be the perfect fit once adjusted. It seems a shame to lose a load of money having to sell the saddle and getting a saddle that will never be the same quality (or have the stability of your wooden tree in the BC). Ask your fitter how you can better monitor your horse's shape and the saddle fit so you know when to get him or her out.

I find the TG/K&M trees, and any synthetic changeable headplate trees, to not be flat enough for many cobs, they can sit perched and roll around. They are known for tipping riders forwards, going up a seat size seems to help but not if your horse is short backed, and most cobs are!

Thank you so much for this - I meant I was put off the saddle, not the fitter as I was worried it cannot be adjusted. From your experience, can the flocking be altered to stop the bridging? It isn't bridging too much at all, just about half a centimetre.

I really am sad about the BC saddle, it's goregous and really nice to ride in - I'd be gutted to let it go It is quite heavy but like you said, think it's because of the tree made of wood? And yes my cob is very short backed and I ride with a 17 inch already so I don't think he could go up to an 18 inch. I really didn't want to go down the synthetic route so I'd love it if I could tweak my BC x

 

[saddlesore]

I have a T4 and I really like it! Much prefer it to my K and M which I felt tipped me forward.

 

[Lottiedots]

Currently trying a T4 Cob dressage on my youngster. Its ok, but i feel a bit perched on top and not very not comfortable for me although horse goes quite well in it. The lady who gives my horses treatments recommended them to me but I'm not convinced its for me. So Ive just had saddle fitter out today and tried some leather saddles which felt much more comfortable for me. So hard to find something that suits the horse and you, and that you can afford! My other horse, a welshie has always been difficult to saddle fit. He has got a bit sway backed as he has got older. He has a lovely saddle but it bridges slightly. I use a thick Numed numnah which has pockets for pads. This has allowed his saddle to sit on his back without bridging.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Tried the Barefoots. Size 1 too small for me; size 2 too big for both of us! So have given up on those.

I have a western BF saddle that is size 1 1/2. I don't think they do the 'english' style saddles in that size though, which is a shame.

 

[Cheshire Chestnut]

Thanks for all your replies. I had a lesson this week and my instructor brought her old faithful 'short fat saddle' with her and guess what? It fitted lovely So I guess I'm looking for a Sandringham pony saddle, wide fitting and either a 16.5 or 17 if anyone has one hanging about?? *prays*