Kent & Masters

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maesmynatchmidnight

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Hello, I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience of the Kent & Masters range - good or bad - particularly the S Series or the Anatomical? Looking to get a GP for my unbroken 3 y/o Welshie and I am told that this brand will be the best for him but as he is unbroken, I won't be able to sit in the saddle for months after buying it so I wanted to make a few inquiries first as some of the other threads are quite old and leather batches etc may have changed. Thanks in advance!
 
I have one - a brown GP - it's 6 years old now. Very comfy and has worn well - the finish isn't as slick as saddles twice the price but I'd have another tomorrow.

I got it for my then rising five ISH and he has never shown any sign of being uncormfortable in it. I've changed the gullet twice as he has matured - very easy to do. It's quite light too.

I took out the velcro knee and thigh rolls as they were abit restrictive. It's just going for a total reflock, my saddler really rates these saddles.
 
Have an S series jump on ISH. Bought second hand from my saddler and I love it as does my daughter who is much taller than I. Have had it reflocked once after initial fitting as horse changed shape but didn't need to have gullet changed. Also taken rolls out.

I bought it after he outgrew his first GP bought when he was 4.
 
I have an S Series jump on my Connie with a touch of cob. It was the most suitable fit for him as recommended by my saddler despite not being the most expensive we tried. It's had the gullet changed a few times according to his levels of fAtness. I feel secure in it. It's wearing really well despite what I'd read about them not wearing well. TBH apart from the marks where the stirrup leathers rub it looks almost brand new. I use it regularly for hacking, jumping both SJ and XC and anything else I don't need a stressage saddle for. I do a lot of fun/sponsored rides and a lot of hacking so it gets very well used. I've had for two years now.
 
I bought a kent and masters pony dressage for my 3 year old and I'm really pleased with it. He's aTraditional and he seems to find it really comfortable. The leather is very soft ,obviously it hasn't been used much yet . I'm only 5'3" and it fits me as well as it fits him !
 
Lovely looking saddles and good quality. One of my liveries has one but I find it painful to ride in. It catches me up front and I am very sore afterwards. I have to ride in a acavallo pad which solves the problem, but I would never get one for myself because of this.
 
I have an S Series dressage, bought 2nd hand from a friend and its only a year old and looks new, once I got used to it its v comfy, very adjustable and seems to wear well :)
 
I have gp one, it came with my first horse, I think it must be about 6 years old now. Happily with some minor adjustments from my master saddler it also fits my boy, they're good saddles, comfortable, adjustable, well made, not too costly
 
I love mine. Very comfy saddle and the horse loves it. But get a saddle that suits the horse don't get something just because of the brand.
 
I've got a cob GP, I love it although some do think that the seat could be more comfortable. I've had mine 5 or 6 years and it has worn very well. If a Thorowgood suits your horse then I'd definitely recommend going for a K&M.
 
i had one for my last horse and LOVED it. however no were near fits my current horse who is theoretically the same size and it sits terribly on her. only niggle i had with it is that the seat is so squidgy and deep i struggled to come up out of it to jump
 
I've just bought an s series jump - it was fitted to Pie and I love it - so comfy and I feel really secure in it too. He seems to like it as he works well in it too. It was one of the cheaper ones my saddler brought out so my pocket was pleased too!!
 
I have their pony club one, I bought it last year for a pony who had been ridden in a wintec which was too tight on her shoulders. She is much happier with the K & M and I find it v comfy too. The leather is really soft and it stands up well to not being cleaned very often which is a prerequisite of mine. I have actually been surprised how many people have commented on how nice it is, I hardly ever notice people's saddles.
 
I have one for my welsh d (if your names anything to go by he may be related to yours!) and also have a ideal h and c. The kent and masters cob comes up slightly smaller/neater/ straighter cut and is lighter than the ideal but not as comfy and the leather quality isn't brilliant as it seems to mark easily. But this is reflected in the price!.
I think they are very good value saddles especially for a growing youngster, but would recommend investing in a seat saver!.
 
I have one - super comfy and adjustable which is great for growing/changing babies! My only gripe with it would be the amount of flocking and saddle between me and the horse - I'm currently looking at trading it in for a close contact
 
I love my dressage one :) it's fab! I tried the jump version but fussy horse wasn't a fan (even though saddle fitter said it was fine) and had to get an Albion which was about twice as expensive! The jump felt nice for me though :) they are good saddles, great value too.
 
rachk89 said:
I love mine. Very comfy saddle and the horse loves it. But get a saddle that suits the horse don't get something just because of the brand.
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I know that the brand and the saddle is right for him but as he is unbroken I can't actually test it out so I wanted to do my research before I bought it
 
I had one- well 2- and didn't like it. The first one was exchanged after a fight because the black leather went grey with very little use. Second one the leather was fine but it tipped me forward. Since saddler advised it was a good fit I sold it and got a thorowgood T4. Much better saddle in my humble opinion 😊
 
nato said:
I have one - super comfy and adjustable which is great for growing/changing babies! My only gripe with it would be the amount of flocking and saddle between me and the horse - I'm currently looking at trading it in for a close contact
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They can sit you up quite a long way, can simply make you feel disconnected, on flatter backs like Section Ds it can mean instability.

saddlesore said:
I had one- well 2- and didn't like it. The first one was exchanged after a fight because the black leather went grey with very little use. Second one the leather was fine but it tipped me forward. Since saddler advised it was a good fit I sold it and got a thorowgood T4. Much better saddle in my humble opinion ��
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The large rear gussets can be too high and too "pointy" on slightly or very croup high shapes and tip you forwards, if you level it the saddle will bridge.

Bear in mind that a changeable headplate doesn't mean the saddle will work forever, subtle changes in the horse's skeleton can mean a different tree shape is needed, plus changing a lot in width, say 2 width fittings, can mean you need a flatter or curvier tree, even if it's only muscle or fat that has changed. I'd consider a used flat treed saddle in preference to spending out on a changeable headplate one for a youngster.
 
sbloom said:
They can sit you up quite a long way, can simply make you feel disconnected, on flatter backs like Section Ds it can mean instability.



The large rear gussets can be too high and too "pointy" on slightly or very croup high shapes and tip you forwards, if you level it the saddle will bridge.


sorry to hyjack but assuming the kent & masters are the same as thorowgoods - Im struggling with the depth of the flocking in the panels. I thought the cob version would be better but its just as deep. (dressage version)
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I've only ever ridden in the normal GP ones and they are not my choice, I always feel perched and somehow removed from the horse with them. I much prefer GFS saddles. Though I'm told the S series are closer fit by someone who also felt perched on a normal one.
 
I've got a GPD and a GPH, both 2 years old, lightweight, horses go well in them, I'm comfy in them. Have them checked for fit and adjusted regularly at the place where I bought them (Woolcroft Saddlery, Leverington, Cambs) - trailer my neds up there, neds checked, saddles checked/adjusted, then I ride in their outdoor school to be sure of mine and ned's comfort and that saddler is happy with saddle. Highly recommended.
 
Had mine 5 years and very happy with it. It has had new gullet plates and adjustments to keep it fitting correctly but as I wanted a flashy expensive saddle (and none fitted my horse as well) it made a change for cheap to be best. Mine has worn well ( a dressage S series) but a friend has a GP and the leather feels cheap - very different to mine. My saddler commented on how surprised he was at the quality of the leather so I'm not sure what is 'usual'.
 
I brought a Kent and masters s series dressage a few months ago. I love it. Very comfy, I picked it up second hand and it comes up very well once its cleaned! My horse goes well in it as well. I brought it as my wintec gp no longer fitted and I wanted to start doing more flatwork. If the tree fits your horse I'd say go for it!

Mine actually gets used more than my jump saddle now. Considering all I've really done with my horse for the last 11 years is jump, it says a lot!

ETA I did try a s series gp. It was comfy but pushed my lower leg forward and I didn't feel like I could really sink down into the seat. My saddler suggested I get the dressage, so that's what I did 😃
 
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sorry to hyjack but assuming the kent & masters are the same as thorowgoods - Im struggling with the depth of the flocking in the panels. I thought the cob version would be better but its just as deep. (dressage version)
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Unfortunately you can only remove flocking to a certain extent, the gusset shape at the back needs to be reasonably well filled. You are better looking for a shorter seat size if you can, or an "upswept" panel design which brings the back lower rather than having to lift the front to rebalance, which can cause all sorts of issues.
 
I bought a cob GP in November last year so a newer model. I love it, the leather is good quality, it's smart and it's comfy.
Also I was told by my saddler, who's a reseller for K&M, that the Thorowgood saddles are exactly the same only made from synthetic materials so could be a cheaper option to consider for breaking.
 
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