Kent and Masters Saddles?

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Charlotte&&Prince

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Has anyone tried them? I was looking at their general purpose saddles for my 3 year old Welsh X, since he's only 3 and has a lot of filling out to do I want a changeable gullet. i was just curious about peoples reviews on them? Obviously they're about £300 cheaper than say a Bates or any other brand new leather saddles and I don't fancy spending over £1000 for a new saddle for his first saddle when he's still growing.
What's everyone's views? I want to start jumping him next Spring so should I go for the general purpose or the jumping saddle, I was just going to go for the general purpose but I was considering my choices and plans today, if all goes to plan then i'd like to really get him into jumping and hunter trials/low level ODE as long as he makes another inch and a half. I wish there was just one brand and one type of saddle that fits all, wouldn't life be so simple then!?
Anyway, has anyone ever used Kent and Masters saddles? Did you like them? What type would be best to use considering future plans? I don't have the money to have every type of saddle so maybe my first thought of a GP would be best.
 
I have a high wither GP. It has fit everything I have put it on! Really versatile cheap saddle. I find it fine to jump in, have jumped up to 1.30m in it in fact with no problems.
 
Brilliant Saddles! Lovely leather , very smart and clean up brilliantly. Changeable gullet mean my TB can change shape during the course of the year and saddle still fits perfectly.
Highly recommend - in fact I was so impressed I now own the GP and dressage :-)
 
Not bad saddles, i have a 3 year old jump one that stood up well being used everyday. Had no problems jumping, hacking and flat work in it but after a couple of years it stopped fitting him and stopped working for me. Nice saddles but in the end didnt work for me and my boy.
Have a look for second hands ones if you can, i can't sell mine for love nor money and have found that they lose a lot of money second hand so you will pick something up. Just be aware that they dont suit all.
 
Love them! I have a GP and a dressage and I've lost count of the amount of times I've had the gullets changed to fit my youngster on both my saddle! He's now 6 and hopefully that's the end of his growth! :) They are comfy, nice leather and good value for money!
 
I've had mine for 3.5years and love it. Its a GP but cut more jumping I'd say, so slightly difficult for dressage and a more forward leg. I wasnt too impressed with the leather quality to begin with but during the years its not fallen apart so would def recommend it.
I wont be buying another saddle if i can help it. I ride with the balance padding system and it works great with that.
 
I have the cob one for my horse - he's not a cob but the cut was better for him as no so restrictive on his shoulders and I like the square cantel better
 
Personally i didnt like the Kent and Masters Saddles - dont get me wrong they are nice looking saddle but neither me or my horse liked its fit!
I had my saddler come out when i looked and tried one when i first got my young boy. He was 4 so same as you didnt want to spend a fortune on a saddle for a horse which is going to change shape and grow.

I didnt really like how it made my legs sit (I just tried the GP). I am not very tall (just about 5ft) so maybe it is better for longer leg!
Also my horse went really badly in it. He didnt move forward and was reluctant to work properly - through head around and bunny hoping (did this on lunge with saddle on and with me riding). I tried various saddles same day and he didnt react like that to any others. But as everything what one finds comfy another may not.
I ended up going to a differnt local saddler / tack shop and found a lovely 2nd hand English Heritage Gp saddle - which i so comfy, fits us both like it was made for us and only cost me £200 :-)

Good luck on saddle search.
 
I love mine - it is so comfortable. I've had it for a year and it's been brilliant. The saddler came out last month to do a saddle check and it didn't need a re-stuff. The only issue I've had with mine was when I first had it it rubbed slightly near under the front but I got the saddler back immediately and he said to use the back two girth straps which solved the problem.

I really like the fact that you can change the gullet if you change horse/or your horse changes shape. I have the GP one with the moveable knee rolls. I like the support it gives you when jumping or hacking - you feel you're firmly in!

I would highly recommend them.
 
I found OH a 2nd hand high wither GP for about half the cost of new, it's an 18 inch and massive for me (only 5ft 3) but it is very comfy and would be good to jump in (if I jumped in it). I do find the flaps long for ebing a short arse though!!

I wouldn't be without an adjustable saddle now (my horse has the GFS genesis)
 
I have a high wither GP its gathering dust at the moment, but im hoping it will fit my youngster.

I rode in it for 2 years and loved it found it very comfortable for my boy i had before, and jumped in it as well up to 2'9"

So far it seems to have worn well, i know theyre not everyones cup of tea, but for general hacking and schooling etc., they are a nice leather adjustable saddle.
 
I like mine and the adjustable knee blocks on the GP are handy. My only quibble is the leather looked worn under the leathers very quickly, but I guess you get what you pay for!
 
I've got the high wither GP version and really like it. I bought it second hand from eBay for £375 and after a gullet change it fits perfectly (trained saddle fitter).

I was really impressed with the quality of the leather and it cleans up beautifully.

Obviously any saddle is only of any use if it fits the horse and rider, so make sure it's checked, but if it ticks those boxes then I'd say it provides excellent value for money.
 
I have the GPD version for one as he needs slightly less forward cut for his shoulder. I also have the cob version for the other. I've been pretty happy with both of mine so far. As others say, you get what you pay for really. They're not £1000 saddles, but they do the job.
 
Have cob gp and wouldn't say is best for jumping as quite straight to help the shoulder. I do 2'3 and 2'6 if am brave but not sure feel secure enough to jump higher in it. Ok for flat work and very comfy for hacking.
 
I have a cob gp and I think the quality is very good, and they are a good bet for someone who wants an adjustable leather saddle, you do still need the right tree shape though. The fit is ok on my horse but I am looking to change at some point, mainly that I want to try flexi tree type saddles as I don't think normal treed saddles help her move optimally.

I think the GP models at least keep their second hand value pretty well actually, they sell for 550 ish when they are 725 new which is really not that bad considering most saddles seem to drop by half even if you've hardly used them! I couldn't find one second hand anyway and I did try pretty hard :-)
 
I have the GPD version for my youngster, it is very comfortable for us both and does the job, I like the leather too.
Next year when she matures I'll get something made to measure and sell this one on.:cool:
 
I got a high wither GP on mine. Have only had the gullet changed once. Absolutely love it! It's a fab saddle for the money
 
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