Saddle advice please!!!

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joanne c

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Hi.I have a 13.2hh chunky cob and desperate to buy a newish secondhand saddle. A saddler has measured my lovely pony, and advised a Thorowgood Adjustable Cob 17" as the best suggestion and will adjust and fit once I buy. I am now wondering what to do, as after this advice, friends have questioned why I wasn't suggested a smaller size, either 15" or 16" as I am only a size 8, 5'1" height.
I know that the Thorowgood Cob don't do any smaller, so does anybody have any other suggestions for cobs for someone of my size and stature. Seems to be that the more I look into it, the more confused I become!!! My budget would be around £200-450 for good secondhand.
Any suggestions would be helpful!!!
 
How can a saddler say any saddle will fit without seeing it on the pony? Different makes fit different shaped backs. Wintec do a smaller wide fit adjustable.
 
Hiya, Sorry I think that I complicated the message. A saddler did come out and fitted a 17" Thorowgood and I tried it out. To be honest, because my old saddle was so awful and I put up with it, the Thorowgood seemed ok, but I now think that I do need a smaller one for my size and I should have mentioned it to the saddler. She didn't say anything, so I took it as expert advice. Trouble is the pony is broad and typically low withers. The saddler didn't like the Wintec because of the Cair system. Think my pony and I are mis-matched size wise! Will look into the Wintec though. Many thanks
 
With your budget I would be looking at a second hand leather saddle rather than a synthetic one, a 16 inch should do you and may be better than a 17 inch as many cobs have big shoulders and relatively short backs which mean a saddle can end up being too long even if they seem ok.
It may be that is all that saddler has and getting someone with a better stock of second hand ones would be the best option, I would always buy leather even if it meant pushing the budget a bit.
 
rabatsa said:
How can a saddler say any saddle will fit without seeing it on the pony? Different makes fit different shaped backs. Wintec do a smaller wide fit adjustable.
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My saddler will come out and do templates and an assessment. She can then tell me which trees will suit and which makes and models suit. Any good saddler should be able to do that.
 
Thanks for the advice. Yes, the saddler deals with new and occasionally secondhand and only Kent and Masters or Thorowgood, and not advising Wintec. Asked me to source them and she will come back and adjust. Didn't give me any other choices unfortunately. Might have to call her again and ask her to give me further advice based on my suggestions! Not a wide choice to go with.
 
Buckinghamshire. If I had the template from the saddler, it would give me more chance to browse around. Feel in limbo now. Thanks though.
 
I am 5'1 and size 10 and 17" cob fits me. It's very straight so actually doesn't accommodate longer leg especially jumping. The panel seems short, I have on my 15.1 short back Welsh but my friend also has on her 12.3 traditional cob! If it fits you both get it!
 
South Bucks. Found the saddler on the Master Saddler website, so presumed really good. Wish that I was given more choice of brand really. Was only recommended Kent and Masters or Thorowgood for my cob pony.
 
Thanks for the advice. Think that I will go with it. I wish that I had tried others too when the saddler came out to compare comfort for both of us! Reassuring that the 17" inch works for you.
 
Assuming the 31cm is inside measurement? That's the same as me and I comfortably ride my 14hh in a 17" ideal saddle . Have previously used a 16.5" wintec on him when he was a youngster and it was fine too . Hm, I don't like thorowogoods myself, I agree that for your budget you could pick up a second hand leather .
 
Yes, 31cm inside leg. The saddler seems fixated on Thorowgoods. Although she said that they do a good cob fitting. Trouble is, the more money you spend on more saddlers coming out, the less budget for the saddle! So difficult! She didn't like Wintec apparently as they slip about. Will keep on searching and thanks for the advice.
 
joanne c said:
Yes, 31cm inside leg. The saddler seems fixated on Thorowgoods. Although she said that they do a good cob fitting. Trouble is, the more money you spend on more saddlers coming out, the less budget for the saddle! So difficult! She didn't like Wintec apparently as they slip about. Will keep on searching and thanks for the advice.
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If course she is trying to sell you a Thorowgood that is where she will be making the most profit, especially if you buy a new one, she will not promote other makes as that is not in her interest even if it is most suitable for you if she doesn't stock them then she will not be telling you they are good.
You need an independent saddle fitter who will have plenty of second hand ones to try, they seem to be few and far between unfortunately, it may be a gap in the market that needs filling in some areas, we have someone locally who always has a decent stock of used saddles, he will also source new ones of different makes but is now gradually winding down a bit towards semi retirement.
 
I'm not sure 2nd hand saddle fitters exist any more. I think they died off because people wanting 2nd hand wanted as cheap as possible, so people were calling the saddler out to find what fits, then going and buying it cheaper on ebay etc.
 
I'm size 8 and 5ft2, I ride in a 17" and I find that it's perfect, any smaller my bum would look bigger than it already is!! I read somewhere that the Thorowgood pony club saddles were basically smaller versions of the Thorowgood Cob but don't quote me on it! Perhaps look at VSD/Showing type saddles with a straighter cut so your pony has a good amount of shoulder room if big shouldered, perhaps go for a 16.5 if you'd think something in between would be better? It's hard to tell without knowing what your pony looks like/seeing length of back/ribs etc. From my understanding, Wintecs are slightly more curved in the tree so may find that it rocks on a flat back cob. I'm not sure if there are other ready made saddles for low withers and flat backs other than the Thorowgood Cob but you may even be able to get one made depending on the budget. Do you know what width you need?
I agree with the others though, good to get a saddle fitter out to try loads on! Saves the hassle of buying loads that don't work and trying to sell them on!
Try Sheepham Saddles website, they're really good and do a 3 day trial. I got mine from there and love it. :)
 
The gap in the market is a price gap, and people not buying saddles in the first place that truly fit cobs, so there are lots of "nearly" saddles knocking around in people's tack rooms, but they don't all truly work. There are saddles that work well on wide and short backed shapes but they're rare because, and sorry but it is just my opinion, people mostly buy compromise saddles that nearly work, and use sticky pads etc.

Anyway, once you add in that people selling want as much £ as possible, and buyers want a bargain (and up to £400 isn't a super big budget for a tricky to fit pony where choice is limited) then THAT is the gap.

The TG PC is, I believe (I don't fit them) slightly flatter than the TG cob, so going down two seat sizes may suit you, but they have dinky flaps and the seats don't have a ton of room as they're V shaped. I would probably look at the 16.5" but as I say I don't fit them so don't know them well. If they can't stop it slipping please don't be told it fits, no matter how good it looks standing on the yard if it needs a grippy pad then it doesn't fir.
 
Many thanks for the advice. After taking everyone's advice, the Thorowgood seems to be the one for my cob, but will look at Sheepham Saddles too though! Thank you!!!
 
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