Thorowgood saddles on cobs

xRobyn

xRobyn

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 April 2010
Messages
1,392
Location
Essex
Visit site
I know there are lots of threads on thorowgood saddles but I'm after some photos of brown versions if possible (because most people seem to have the black version).

T4 or T6?
Cob or standard version? (Horse is relatively witherless but not completely table-top backed)
GP or Dressage cut?

I was wondering if anyone found the GP version restricted big cob shoulders? I'm used to a dressage cut saddle, but want to do a bit of jumping and showing etc. Phil changes shape too often to buy a nice leather and I'm not at home all the time because of uni. He is hopefully going on loan in September for my final year of university so I want to get a suitable saddle for him :D

Horse is a welsh cob. Just wanted some opinions and experience of these saddles with similar/same breeds :D

And any photos are very welcome :p
 
My cob is very round but has a little wither and the T6 Cob seems to fit him really well. Its the GP version and it doesn't seem to restrict his shoulder at all and is very adjustable. I have found it a bit hard on my bottom being used to leather but its brand new so I expect it will break in in time.
 
I love my thorowgood! I have a T4 Cob GP on my horse who has very sloping shoulders it doesnt restrict his movement at all and it is really comfey. And being fully adjustable it is a really good investments for young horses or horses that change shape seasonally. The T6 versions also look a lot like leather and once your on board you really cant tell the difference
 
I use a brown T4 cob on a highland. He has massive shoulders and it certainly doesn't interfere with his movement at all. I bought it as he's a youngster and changing shape. It has done the job well, I even used it in a tack and turnout class and came second - I only went in for him to have the experience! I will see if I can find pics of it if it would help?
 
Photos would be fab :D Thank you. I think it's because I'm so used to my dressage saddle which is so straight cut :D

Does anyone have the 3D version (fish inserts?) and if so, how have they helped etc? Phil is a good do-er so puts on weight through summer but stays slimmer in winter :rolleyes:

The Thorowgood T6 Cob 3D GP is under £400 on the frogpool manor website but they only have it in black :rolleyes:
 
I prefer the leather look of the T6 versions.
Don't have one but my friend has a T6 cob for her appaloosa who is built like a very fine TB and has the wide fitting! (saddler did fit it and it fits very well, just a bit shocked)
 
My bay Welsh D with a brown Thorowgood gp - sorry, not the best photo of hte saddle, my friend is very tall and took up most of the saddle with her leg! Quite liked mine for jumping, and my friend, who is a synthetic snob, liked it too!

fromcamerajul08064.jpg
 
Last edited:
I have the one with the fish insterts and tbh i dont think they make a huge difference, for small weight fluctuations they work well but you need to change the gullet for anything bigger (but this is VERY easy!!!)
 
No photo's but my HW cob has both the T4 dressage and GP - yes the dressage is much better for his shoulder movement but the GP is also a good fit - I found the cob version actually caused more issues with his shoulders than the standard model so I have the standard version of both!
 
here are some pictures

20090823JackieonCol2-1.jpg


20090822RobonCol14.jpg


and a couple of close up ones
20090926Col.jpg


20090926Col2.jpg


FWIW I do find it fairly straight cut, the knee rolls are not in place in these pics. Somehow it feels a lot more forward cut with them in situ. Hope this is some help.
 
Those photos are super! It definitely doesn't look like it's over his shoulder at all :D

Is that the cob version?

Phil does have very little withers, here is a photo :)

25131_388971302326_633522326_4561902_3341191_n.jpg


This shows his back shape a bit better
25131_387210192326_633522326_4515888_4118758_n.jpg


He is too fat in these photos but he doesn't have a loaner/saddle atm so isn't being worked as much as I would like, but he can look like this:

22457_252474772326_633522326_3950097_1115426_n.jpg


Hence the need for something that is easy to change :p
 
Yes, it's the cob version in XXW :eek: :D. Yours actually looks a fairly similar shape, here's Col's back for comparison:]

18082009976.jpg


That was taken last summer, his withers are a little more defined now but his back is still very flat. The saddle doesn't impinge on his shoulder, he hasn't done much as he is still a baby, but he has jumped in it and isn't restricted at all.
 
Last edited:
Yep, I'm not sure if he will need an xxw. His current is an xw but I know some saddles vary depending on brand. I will probably get it fitted at his widest and then at least I know he hopefully won't get any bigger :p

Also, quick question. If I wanted to do showing, is it ok in the GP version? Obviously straighter cut would be better, but I also want to keep up with the jumping :confused:
 
At local level I think it's fine personally, it is straighter than a lot of GPs. I guess some people will always frown on synthetic though. I would use mine at local level, it's a nice saddle but most importantly it fits him really well and that's what matters to me most. Once he is fully grown he will probably have a nice leather WH type saddle but that's a year or two off yet.

I haven't seen one in the flesh but apparently the T6 range look very much like leather. Also I think the Kent and Masters saddle (and possibly Fairfax but may be confused) are basically the same style saddles made in leather. Might be worth a look?
 
Yep, the kent and masters are leather but I can't really stretch to one of those right now. I am thinking a t6, as you say, it looks more like leather. I'm not used to GP saddles :p

it would only be local, more fun than anything else, a bit of jumping, bit of showing etc :D And then hopefully, when I finish uni and he is being ridden constantly then I can buy him a nice leather saddle :)
 
I have a T4 GP (Black though) on my cob, but only use it for flatwork now as have a jumping saddle. I really like it, it’s very comfy, and doesn’t restrict Bodey’s shoulder in any way. :D
 
The Cob versions of these saddles are cut back so that they do not interfere with the shoulders. And yes, depending on the horse/problem, the fish can be very beneficial, and I would choose to have them if possible.
 
Umm, with my old cob I had a Thorowgood, had it professionally fitted, the whole mc.coy, then noticed after a few days that, umm (ladies you'll know what I mean here?) I was getting very sore in embarrassing places - OMG! I think this was because it had a very deep seat and rubbed in awkward areas. Sooooo, unfortunately, it had to go!

So not a good experiment really. It was a lovely saddle too, a real shame.
 
Winston is beautiful :D Is he really only xw?! Phils current is xw and a bit tight but I know they can vary on makes. I will be doing the flexicurve thing though and see what's best :D

If I get the t6 I will probably get a seat saver, my mum said she wants a pink one :o
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top