thorowgood synthetic???

noblesteed

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Looking at a 2nd hand thorowgood synthetic saddle as a spare for my loaner to keep at home...
Wondered what they are like? Anything to watch out for?
What's the fit like? I have a connie x andy - built like a section D. His regular saddle is a falcon hawk. 18" MW. Are they ok for the middleweight types?

Obviously anything I got would be fitted by a saddle fitter but there seem to be some good deals on synthetic saddles on ebay so thought about getting one in the same size as his falcon and getting the fitter out... does that sound feasible? If it doesn't fit the fitter may take it as trade-in for one of his anyway so shouldn't lose much money...
 
Hmmm, my observation for what its worth: I'm not a saddle fitter or anything BUT in the yard here we've been there done it with saddles & fitters!!! LOL.

May I respectfully suggest that you're going the wrong way about it? (or the not so polite version: goin' @rse about face :)).

Personally, I'd get the saddle fitter out FIRST rather than purchase a saddle on-line that maybe won't fit at all, and then ask someone to fit it. Ask your saddle fitter what sort of saddle he/she would recommend for your horse and also make sure that its OK for YOU as well.

ANY saddle - especially synthetics - that doesn't fit will run the risk of hurting your horse. The problem with synthetic/adjustable gullet saddles is that there's a common misconception that "one size fits all" (or can be made to fit all), which is just not true and a lot of damage can be done to a horse's back in a very short time.

So get your (SMS qualified) saddle fitter out ASAP as a first priority and work from there. Its just not worth ruining your horse's back and possibly creating problems for the future.
 
Our Sec D (very round) has one and it was comfy to sit in and easy to maintain, as most synthetic saddles are... BUT

I'm not sure whether it's just him or the saddle, but it tends to slip about a lot, and I have unfortunately ended up on the floor with it... We have started using non slip stuff under it and it's much better. I was surprised however by how heavy it was. It seems a lot more "weightier" than most other synthetic saddles I have come across and i also felt slightly "perched" on top.

But overall I found a very nice, comfortable saddle to ride in and the horse goes well in it too.

Hope this has helped slightly... :)
 
Saddles that slip round really don't quite fit - the trees must be really flat and the panels the right shape, and then, even on the widest horses, a saddle won't roll.

I agree that you need to get a fitter out to the horse and go from there. Lifting at the back in rising trot, sideways slippage, any movement at all indicates an issue which, with a flat backed horse, is likely to be that the tree is not flat enough and as mentioned, is too perched. I think it's much better to get something to fit than try and stick the saddle to the back with a sticky pad.

Good saddles if they fit, like most others!
 
ok thanks everyone. Thought they seem quite cheap 2nd hand but obviously i know any saddle needs fitting!! I was just worried the fitter doesn't have one in stock, so thought if I could get a 2nd hand one it would be easier, to have one for him to try, then sell it on if it didn't fit...
I also wondered why they were so cheap! But if people say they are ok then that fine. I have never tried one, ridden on a wintec which was ok, a little slippy on the seat but fit a cob fine.
 
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