So, Wintec, Thorowgood or GFS?

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dumpling

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Say you had to pick a synthetic saddle, which would you choose?

I'm really a bit deflated about saddles, I seem to get one and then pony changes even slightly and I'm back to a rotten fitting saddle. So for that reason, I can't afford to change leather saddles every few months.

I've had him in a wintec before which I actually quite liked and only sold on because I was upgrading to leather. So here's my ideas-

Wintec- liked the saddle, pony seemed happy , not convinced the tree was the correct shape for him though even though width was adjustable. Tried the wide version and was too wide at the back.

Thorowgood- cant get one in the right size! 17" was way too big and I was told to go with the cob model by saddler. Totally hated it as seat was too big.

GFS genesis- ? Look similiar to wintec but perhaps a ' flatter' tree?

I'm looking for a general saddle for hacking in. We have a show saddle which seems to fit 95% of the year! I'm sure this is partially due to the straight cut. Pony is coloured cob x welsh c so quite wide and no withers!

So, your thoughts? Has anyone tried the GFS genesis?
 
i have a thorowgood for one of my lads and i hate it! it was fitted correctly by a saddle fitter, but i just never took to it. I think it tips you forward a bit. Other people schooling him also commented on how weird it was to ride in.

I thought it might have just been my tb's shape, but i got a different gullet fitted for a wider horse, and i still don't like it as a saddle. Got an albion for my new lad and it's like sitting in a sofa!

Out of thorowgood and wintec, i would def prefer any wintec saddles i've ridden in.
 
Ah , been there done that! Was a total nightmare trying to get someone out to change it and reduce the flocking etc :( was a shame as saddle looked quite comfy.

I do like his show saddle but I can't justify paying over £1000 for one for hacking in! Even second hand ones are like gold dust .
 
I'm happy with a good second hand and have found some on eBay. Wasn't sure how different they were from wintecs though so didn't want to just go ahead and buy!
 
i've never ridden in a wintec so cant compare but have always been happy with the gfs, as have others who have got them after my reccomendation.
 
I'm happy with a good second hand and have found some on eBay. Wasn't sure how different they were from wintecs though so didn't want to just go ahead and buy!
 
I have a seasonal shape shifter and have found the TG T4 an excellent fit no matter what time of year.
Mine is the cob version as he is quite flat backed (not table top like a cob,more low withered native type,but fits his shaper perfectly),but would assume the standard ones are just as good depending on type??

If you need a smaller seat size maybe try the TG pony club range,think they go from 15" - 16.5".

I had a wintec wide for a fell pony once,I quite liked it,but tried all the wintec models on current lad and he hated them all with a passion so think they are a bit less of an 'allrounder' so to speak.

This is going to sound daft but another reason I prefer the TG's is that the 'leather look' looks more like leather,where as I find the wintecs look a little bit 'plastic'.

No experience of GFS,but thought they also looked a bit plastic TBH,but could have just been the pics I saw (only looked at them on ebay,maybe not the best place to judge it's true),seen quite a few for sale that were nearly new as well and all mentioned was due to fit,but again was on ebay so possibly not that reliable.
 
Thank you.

Paddi- I have only just seen your reply! I was the same with the thorowgood, I felt pushed onto my front. I came to the conclusion that the seat was too big and the back panels had perhAps a bit too much stuffing in them!!

Devonlass, that's quite interesting. I thought about the pony club model but not sure. I know what you mean about the plasticy look! I think I would go for the all suede one though. The photos of them in catalogues make them look inferior but ones on eBay actually look quite good!
 
From my experience either a wintec or a thorogood will fit a horse but never both as the trees are shaped differently. I also found that any thorogoods I have ridden in tend to tip me forward. Haven't yet come across a genesis so can't comment on them.
 
I've found Thorowgoods superb, really a cut above Wintecs.

If you need shorter panels you could try the newer Cob Plus range.

If you're tipping forward in a saddle then it sounds like it's not been correctly fitted.
 
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