K&M Cob GP or Black Country GPD

B&J

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Meeting the saddler in 2 weeks once my boy can be ridden again (fungal infection), had to cancel my previous appointment as my oldie had colic and broke the saddle fund.

But the good news is hubby has agreed to my blowing the replenished budget on a new saddle rather than second hand through the saddler (as long as he gets his new fishing rods). So I've been looking at possibilities for an extra wide, flat back cob with no wither.

Does anyone have either the K&M Cob GP or the Black Country GPD? I have a tendency to lean forward and find Thorowgood makes it worse for me. Just need to get an idea to let the saddler know which to bring. Also he's piebald so black or brown leather?

Thanks :-)
 
Not the specific models you are asking about but I tried a K&M and a Black Country on the same day and the Black Country was a much superior saddle. Think it was reflected in the price though but luckily I managed to pick up a lovely second hand one. You can only really tell though by sitting on them yourself.
Personally I would go with black tack on a piebald.
 
I've got a Black Country GP saddle - I've had it years and bought it second hand, but it was almost brand new. Out of the dozens of saddles that the saddler brought with him, the Black Country was the only one that sat level on my big lad, the others tipped forward when I sat on them. It's a comfy saddle and has worn really, really well over the years and still looks good.

As you say, you need something that doesn't go 'downhill' and tip you forward, as cobs tend to be a little on the forehand anyway. I've no knowledge of the other brand you mentioned, so can't give you a comparison, but I would recommend the Black Country saddles.

As for colour, given the choice I'd go for black on a piebald.
 
i have a black country wexford and i am well and truly in love!!

it has thigh blocks and knees blocks and has helped me with leg position and is like a dream to sit in!! (old saddle was like sitting on the naughty step!!!)

Levi has grown over the past couple of months but saddler is coming back to adjust it for me, good thing about black country is if you buy new from them the trees can be adjusted up 1 size or down 1 size if needed!
BUT!! has to be done by a saddler who they approved by them

but i love mine and would recommend to any one to have a sit in one!!
 
Thank you all :-) can't wait to try them! I managed to get a price for the K&M but do you have any idea roughly on the black country price, waiting for call back from saddler to sort out which ones to bring. Don't want to try the BC one if its out of my range :-/

Current saddle he came with is utterly terrible!! He's got EMS so the saddle does need to be able to be adjusted a bit as his weight fluctuates (it's an ongoing battle with his weight) so I don't want to spend £700 upwards for it not to be useable in 6 months
 
Thank you all :-) can't wait to try them! I managed to get a price for the K&M but do you have any idea roughly on the black country price, waiting for call back from saddler to sort out which ones to bring. Don't want to try the BC one if its out of my range :-/

Current saddle he came with is utterly terrible!! He's got EMS so the saddle does need to be able to be adjusted a bit as his weight fluctuates (it's an ongoing battle with his weight) so I don't want to spend £700 upwards for it not to be useable in 6 months


I can happily give you the price of my wexford but i would rather do that by PM so feel free to drop me a message if you want to know :)
 
I had a cob gp K & M but exchanged it for my wexford black country. You really can't compare them, the difference is massive! However there is also quite a price difference. Black country all the way for me.
 
I believe the Black Country is probably double the price of the K&M but quality speaks volumes. I got my BC Wexford for £600 - was on Preloved for £900 but I made a cheeky offer and got it.
 
I have hsd both of these models. The K&M tree was too flat for my cob so changed after a time to the BC GPD. Lovely, lovely saddle, far superior quality though price reflected that. Suited better as straighter cut but would say that it has quite a short, deep seat which seemed to make the seat smaller. I had to go up a size to fit my bottom but was never completely happy in it as I think it was too long for my cob (ended up changing again!)
 
I've had a Black Country GPD on my LW Show Cob as his every day saddle for around 9 years, love it....everyine who's sat on my cbb remarks on the saddle, my mum loved it so much she bought one!
Just a tip - quite a few showing people use the Black Country GPD for Working hunter (and flat!) classes and strictly speaking, Dark brown tack is correct in all colours of horses especially for the showing ring. If you should ever re sell your saddle it would make more money in the showing market if it's dark brown and not black. So I'd go for brown if I were you if you're having a brand new saddle.
 
Black country is way more expensive & way more comfy than k&m.
However. My cob wasn't a great fit in either. Thoroughly recommend Andrea hicks native pony & cob saddles.
 
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