SHIRES HI-LITE ELITE

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supersally

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Anyone used/using one of these ? Would they suit a broad youngster who will change shape as she starts her work. She is a Heinz 57 (TBxTrak dam Coloured cob x WB sire) with a broad back and little wither at present. In time I would like her to have a leather saddle so do not really want to spend loads on one at the moment. The thorowgood T4 &T6 have been recommended but the ones with the changable gullets are approx £400 These sound a bit to good to be true ?
 
Thank you for that informtion. Its an affordable saddle which helps !
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They were not wide enough for my horse. I have a wintec wide if you are interested. 2 years old, still have the labels would be very suitable for a youngster.

PM me if you are interested.
 
Many thanks for the offer but I already have a wintec with the white extra wide gullet but it is still too narrow
 
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Many thanks for the offer but I already have a wintec with the white extra wide gullet but it is still too narrow

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The wintec 500 (the normal wintec saddle) is a rubbish fit on any wide or flat horse, so it's not suprising it doesn't fit. The wintec wide the previous poster is offereing it a very different saddle, and the white x-wide gullet is one of the narrowest it takes. They're equally rubbish of totally flat cob backs (think xxxxwide) but great for more normal, but wide, backs. They're also adjustable and very comfortale. Def worth trying.

The elites have a hinged gullet I think? I've found the design rubbish. The front collaspes down and you get pressure points from the hinge. The cheap saddles are also cheap for a reason - the workmanship and qaulity are rubbish, as iare the symmetry and flocking.
 
Agree - the gullet does collapse.

I have also seen the inside of one - its basically carpet fibres. The materials used to construct the saddle are also very cheap - the seat and knee rolls will fray within months of use.

If your youngster has more of a cob back, then I would look at the thorowgood cob. Yes, they may be £400, but it should see you through quite a few changes and you will be able to resell it to buy a leather one, you wouldnt be able to do that with a Shires (I dont know anyone who has bought one second hand). Also, considering the risk to your youngster's back, I think it is a false economy to use a cheap saddle now - chiropractors, physios, vets etc will all cost more than the £300 difference in saddle price.

If you are looking for an adjustable leather saddle now, you might be able to find a suitable second hand saddle company saddle, kieffer or selected barnsby models. I fit SC saddles, and all of these models are adjustable, several of the kieffer models are adjustable through heating the tree (newer models can be adjusted through a dial) and some of the newer Barnsby models are adjustable.

There are also Bates (which is the leather version of the wintec - probably not suitable for you here) or Kent & Masters which is Thorowgood's new leather range.

There are lots of choices - can you call a local fitter to come out with some for you to try? they might also have a suitable second hand saddle which might see you through the first 6-12 months.
 
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