Lightweight saddle for my cob

[jojo5]

My boy and I have been together for a long time and he is now in his early twenties. We still ride out at least every other day, and go to a local show now and again . We have had a great Ideal saddle made especially for Highlands (so wide fit for my cob) for most of that time and it has suited us both well. When I got it down tonight to ride I was thinking about the weight of it and am wondering whether I might look at getting him a lighter weight saddle to maintain his back as long as we can. Obviously I would get this professionally fitted, but wondered if anyone can offer any recommendations? I guess it might have to be synthetic this time to reduce the weight - open to suggestions.

 

[jojo5]

Of course I realise that the biggest weight on his back is me!!!

 

[katherine1975]

The Thorowgood cob saddles are nice and light and have changeable gullets.

 

[caitlineloise]

You can get Saddle Company cob saddles. They're a great fit. Changeable and adjustable gullet. And you can get all synthetic underneath and leather on top, so it's lightweight but looks like a nice leather saddle. Look on the SC website for your nearest fitter.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Try www.thepainfreehorse.co.uk - I bought a "Tor" saddle from them, the only saddle which would fit my boy; didn't break the bank and nice and lightweight. Fab.

 

[appylass]

Another vote for the Thorowgood cob, I used one to back my highland, it fitted really well and is very lightweight. I had a brown one and it looked very smart, I even showed him in it.

 

[jojo5]

Thanks loads to all of you who have replied - as soon as I'm back from the yard i'll be having a look online at all these!

 

[Paint Me Proud]

i have a GFS genesis synthetic and love it!

Good quality, well made and nice and light.

Built on a carbon fibre tree, with adjustable gullet, and rides like a leather saddle.

Hope that helps

 

[katherine1975]

Also, have a look at Kent and Masters they are the leather version of Thorowgood.

 

[vicksey]

I had a lovely saddle co one whoch was part synthetic and part leather, very very light weight and excellent for my horse who was cold backed. I have the kent and masters now which is not as light but still light in comparison to others.

 

[Charlir666]

Another vote for thorowgood cob saddles. I swapped my old fylde show saddle for a lighter saddle. Decided to go for t6 cob gp and it has been fab. Looks like leather, is light and super comfy.

 

[jojo5]

Thanks for all these replies -really useful! Just need to find stockists/fitters for all these now!
Just for info - my saddle, which is an Ideal gp/dressage wide fit leather, weighs in at 8.7 kg, which is 20 lb, therefore nearly a stone and a half!! I know there are some which are even heavier, so when you think about the weight your horse can carry, remember to allow for the saddle!

 

[FMM]

A make like Ideal is one of the best you can get - they distribute the weight evenly over the horses back. Some of the other makes you have seen may weigh less, but do not have such good weight distribution. If your saddle fits your horse, then continue to use it - don't chuck out a decent saddle for something cheap - you will regret it in the long run.

I would swap one well fitting Ideal saddle for 20 synthetic saddles!!!

 

[jojo5]

That's an interesting point. I won't be getting rid of my Ideal saddle as it has been so good, and clearly I'll be taking the advice of a saddle fitter that I have used before.

 

[animal]

Yep- Thorowgood. Combined with my plastic stirrups it's so nice and light!

 

[rolsterlady]

I would swap one well fitting Ideal saddle for 20 synthetic saddles!!!

Agreed! My horse was in an ideal until she retired at 26 years old and never had any back problems. Lovely saddles