Thorowgood T4 GP: a few questions if anyone has a moment!

[MissMistletoe]

I have recently brought a new T4 GP with interchangeable gullets, and whilst getting used to changing the bars and playing around with those removable blocks etc! ive just thought of a few questions:

1) Can you use the same gullet bars from the T6 range?

2) It is very stiff, almost horizontal!. I am planning on 'breaking it in' a bit on my older pony 1st before riding my youngster in it. Do they take long to supple out?

3)Now, the older pony needs an Xwide bar, but the 3yo will need the XXwide. However, do you find that after a period of 'bedding down' of the panels, that a different sized gullet is needed?

4)It's also got the changeable girth strap positions, which are a fab idea, but the 4th location to put the strap on is just a loop of webbing, the other 3 straps have got a plastic ring attached to the loop of webbing. I am planning to use the 1st and the 4th positon, but wasnt sure whether i should if the plastic loop wasnt there?.

5) What do you use to clean it with? Just warm water and a sponge?

6) Can I use leather stirrup leathers on it?.

7) How do you find it to ride in?. I like to ride in quite a classical position. Does it put you in a correct position? Or does your leg swing forward? Im only asking this because my old Wintec 500 used to put me in the hunting/chair seat position!

8) Does the sticky seat it give you a feeling of being secure in the saddle when the horse has a mad moment!?

9) Finally, would it be ideal for backing and riding away a young horse in?

Thankyou, i really appreciate your input.

 

[SavingGrace]

1) Can you use the same gullet bars from the T6 range?

Yes, just make sure you have the right type for the cantle shape (the square cantle gullets are different from the round cantle)

2) It is very stiff, almost horizontal!. I am planning on 'breaking it in' a bit on my older pony 1st before riding my youngster in it. Do they take long to supple out?
I have had mine since brand new and its been very comfortable since the beginnging


3)Now, the older pony needs an Xwide bar, but the 3yo will need the XXwide. However, do you find that after a period of 'bedding down' of the panels, that a different sized gullet is needed?

I only found when my mare changed shape I needed the wider gullet x

4)It's also got the changeable girth strap positions, which are a fab idea, but the 4th location to put the strap on is just a loop of webbing, the other 3 straps have got a plastic ring attached to the loop of webbing. I am planning to use the 1st and the 4th positon, but wasnt sure whether i should if the plastic loop wasnt there?.
I wouldn't use the 4th one if it doesnt have a ring.... should be simple enough to get a ring put on though x

5) What do you use to clean it with? Just warm water and a sponge?

Yes pretty much hot soapy water and sponge but i use saddle soap on the girth straps

6) Can I use leather stirrup leathers on it?.
Yes I do x

7) How do you find it to ride in?. I like to ride in quite a classical position. Does it put you in a correct position? Or does your leg swing forward? Im only asking this because my old Wintec 500 used to put me in the hunting/chair seat position!

I feel it puts me in a nice position, i have the dressage and gp models

8) Does the sticky seat it give you a feeling of being secure in the saddle when the horse has a mad moment!?

yes

9) Finally, would it be ideal for backing and riding away a young horse in?

Yes

 

[MissMistletoe]

Thankyou HM!!

It has the round cantle, so I can use my friend's T6 bars, as long as her saddle is also a round cantled version.

I love your mare btw, she reminds me a little of my PB Welsh filly.

 

[xena_wales]

4)It's also got the changeable girth strap positions, which are a fab idea, but the 4th location to put the strap on is just a loop of webbing, the other 3 straps have got a plastic ring attached to the loop of webbing. I am planning to use the 1st and the 4th positon, but wasnt sure whether i should if the plastic loop wasnt there?.

I can pretty much guarantee that the metal ring still is on the webbing loop - it will have slipped up under the panel. Have a root around and pull it back out again! That very often happens, particularly when changing gullets.

 

[xena_wales]

3)Now, the older pony needs an Xwide bar, but the 3yo will need the XXwide. However, do you find that after a period of 'bedding down' of the panels, that a different sized gullet is needed?

The xx-wide is only available in the cob version (square cantle), whereas you've said yours is the round cantle version. If both yours are that wide, maybe you would've been better off with the cob version?

 

[SavingGrace]

Thankyou HM!!

It has the round cantle, so I can use my friend's T6 bars, as long as her saddle is also a round cantled version.

I love your mare btw, she reminds me a little of my PB Welsh filly.

Thank you

Yes you will be able to use their gullets x

 

[MissMistletoe]

QUOTE=xena_wales;9349758]I can pretty much guarantee that the metal ring still is on the webbing loop - it will have slipped up under the panel. Have a root around and pull it back out again! That very often happens, particularly when changing gullets.[/QUOTE]

YES! i found it!, like you said, it was lodged in the panel!

The xx-wide is only available in the cob version (square cantle), whereas you've said yours is the round cantle version. If both yours are that wide, maybe you would've been better off with the cob version?

Silly me! I meant the W/XW gullet for the pony and the XW for the youngster; both of which are available for the round cantled standard models...phew!