Kent and Master Flat Backed GP

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Stenners

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Does anyone else use one of these? Just had one fitted to my horse yesterday - I know they are now discontinued but just an out of interest post really and see how you get on with them or any K&M GPs. It's not my forever saddle but gives him room to build up the muscle he needs.
 
I have one for my cob as he has a fraction more shape than the cob saddles seemed to be designed for. I am a K&M fan, so I find it very comfortable.
 
I have a K & M Original Jump Saddle, also now discontinued, for the pony in my avatar. It worked well for a couple of years but no longer fits as he has changed shape with age. I had no problems with it apart from finding the seat a little firm. An acavallo seat saver sorted that. The knee rolls were in a better position for me than the GP and the short gullet bar fitted the pony better at the time. Pony is ridden in a completely different shape of saddle now.
 
My experience of this saddle was awful and nearly messed up my pony who became reluctant to move in it. It tipped me forward and was the most uncomfortable saddle I have ever sat on. My horse ended up with huge white patches either side of his withers (which thankfully disappeared at the next coat change after I got an Ideal….). In an attempt to make the saddle fit, the saddler made it wider and wider. I had the saddler out four times over the space of a couple of months, it cost a fortune, and after it went up my pony’s neck after which I got rid of it. And the saddler! Awful experience, possibly exacerbated by a fitter who just couldn’t get it right. But even had it fitted, it was very, very hard, slippery and uncomfortable. Maybe I just got a bad one but I can see why they were discontinued. I was relieved to sell and get my money back.
 
Surely it's like any other saddle - if it fits your horse then it's great, if it doesn't then it's awful. I rode on a K&M GP for a saddle fitting once and hated it, I felt perched and uncomfortable. But they seem to suit some horse and rider combos very well. If you like it and it fits your horse then you're winning!
 
mustardsmum said:
My experience of this saddle was awful and nearly messed up my pony who became reluctant to move in it. It tipped me forward and was the most uncomfortable saddle I have ever sat on. My horse ended up with huge white patches either side of his withers (which thankfully disappeared at the next coat change after I got an Ideal….). In an attempt to make the saddle fit, the saddler made it wider and wider. I had the saddler out four times over the space of a couple of months, it cost a fortune, and after it went up my pony’s neck after which I got rid of it. And the saddler! Awful experience, possibly exacerbated by a fitter who just couldn’t get it right. But even had it fitted, it was very, very hard, slippery and uncomfortable. Maybe I just got a bad one but I can see why they were discontinued. I was relieved to sell and get my money back.
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This sounds like a case of a bad saddle fitter, not a bad saddle.
 
I had one for a couple of years. It started out great but I started to feel sore riding in it on my lower back and groin, and I lost the ability to canter. I tried a seat saver which didn’t help. I changed saddle and I no longer hurt and have regained my canter.
 
fredflop said:
This sounds like a case of a bad saddle fitter, not a bad saddle.
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It be fair, it absolutely was a bit of both. I would add, I think the quality of the K&M saddles is very variable. The one I had had an awful slippery seat that I don’t believe was leather, it felt very plasticky and had tiny creases/puckering all over it. It really was the hardest I have ever sat on. It was also very poorly assembled - the d-rings were not symmetrical and the overall finish was shoddy with leatherwork not lining up properly. This was a saddle that was pretty much brand new - I bought it online from a reputable seller and, I was pretty pleased with it til it arrived and I sat on it. I didn’t think I would be able to sell it, but was glad I when I did. I guess they are like marmite! And I love marmite but not K&M saddles…. 🤣
 
I’ve had a couple of k&ms. They seemed to fit my horses well and I liked that they were adjustable, but both didn’t suit me for different reasons. The older jump saddle was rock hard - very uncomfortable, and the newer GP (compact) was comfy but just didn’t suit me or offer me any support. I don’t have either anymore
 
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