Recommend a synthetic saddle

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Hedwards

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I'm looking to pick up a synthetic dressage saddle, i'm looking for a bargin (so 2nd hand) but dont know what to look for, ideally i'm looking for something with a changable gullet, so i can be sure it will fit my new loan horse. shes a 15.2 (and a bit)hh cob x tb (and a little bit of arab), shes a med/wide fit. anyone have any recommendations? i'm a total novice with synthetics, just been on ebay and there seems to be loads!
 
Thorogood are excellent qulity and a great fit (also adjustable tree so ideal for horses which aren't sure what shape they are
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I've got the T6 GP which looks like leather - think the dressidge shape is available in this material too.
 
Thorogoods are great for the money, hard wearing, comfortable etc but please don't think just because they have an adjustable gullet system that it will be sure to fit your horse, there is much more to a correctly fitted saddle than the part that you can alter on synthetic saddles but yes if they do fit everwhere else then they are handy if you can adjust them.
 
ditto what kenzo said. i'm a great fan of wintecs. i seriously love their wintec 2000, they fit me perfectly... sadly, mine does not fit my horse. no matter what gullet etc is in there... so please don't buy one thinking they'll fit any horse. mine turned my bombproof darling sweet horse into a bucking broncho within an hour of being worn... x
 
No i understand this completely kenzo & clipclop - thankfully we have a local saddle fitter that specialises in dealing with synthetics who will be coming out to check the fit etc. (however charges an awful lot for the saddles and only deals with brand new themselves - but is happy to fit a 2nd hand if you provide the saddle) however, as i understand it a variable gullet will provide me with a better chance of a good fit - and also, i am expecting her to change shape as time goes on - she's been out of work for 3 years, so want something with a bit of longevity. I have a leather gp saddle for her (that has been fitted by master saddler) - but its not particularly ideal for dressage. Also, because this is a loan horse i dont really want to spend mega bucks. i'm definitely not going to plonk any old saddle on and presume it to fit - it will always be checked by a professional.
 
My preference is Thorogood having tried Wintec too but either of these are a good bet and I would not recommend you go for any lesser known name as there is some rubbish out there! Both also hold their value should you need to sell.
 
I have always loved the Wintecs (have owned a fair few and ridden in millions, currently use a 2000 GP) but having been told by my saddler that a Thorowgood would fit my mare better now she has changed shape, I posted on here a week or so ago to gather some opinions on the Thorowgoods. My previous experience of them wasn't particularly good! The response I got was more than enough to make me decide to get one (pending it actually fitting correctly, of course) - they are very popular and seem to fit a very wide range of horses.
Having had a look on eBay, there are far more Wintecs than Thorowgoods - a sign that people hold on to their Thorowgoods for longer, perhaps?
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Wintec!! The horse i have just started riding has one and it looks like leather, is as comfy as a leather one (if not more comfy!) and sooooo much lighter!!
 
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Having had a look on eBay, there are far more Wintecs than Thorowgoods - a sign that people hold on to their Thorowgoods for longer, perhaps?
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Or a sign that Wintecs dont fit? I would go for a thorowgood. They have a much better design than wintecs, which on many horses sit up at the back because of the tree design, no matter what gullet you have.
 
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Having had a look on eBay, there are far more Wintecs than Thorowgoods - a sign that people hold on to their Thorowgoods for longer, perhaps?
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Or a sign that Wintecs dont fit? I would go for a thorowgood. They have a much better design than wintecs, which on many horses sit up at the back because of the tree design, no matter what gullet you have.

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Absolutely. Wintecs really are not suitable for a large large proportion of horses. Thorowgoods have a much better chance of fitting and are better quality saddles.
 
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