Why do people have to make you feel guilty..

[Peglo]

I use my TB’s wintec saddle on T (got it fitted and it’s fine) and I love it. It’s comfy, light and I like the way it looks. It’s an added bonus that it’s a link to Flo.

don’t let people on the internet upset you. Their opinions don’t matter. Your horses would much rather you spent your money on their care than expensive ‘things’.

 

[DizzyDoughnut]

Who cares what others think, their opinion doesn't matter, as long as the saddle fits and both you and the horse are happy that's all that matters. Admittedly I am that odd person that can go to a tack shop and come out empty handed because I just can't bring myself to spend on something that I don't actually really need.

 

[Auslander]

Tell them to get stuffed! Alf competed up to Inter 1 in a Wintec Isabell. I had him in one til quite recently, but got something else as the Isabell hurt my back when he did "manouevres"

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I use a one on my tb. It's a dressage saddle, part leather, I love it!! It fits my horse which is always my main concern. I but lots of second hand stuff now . I occasionally buy new but not very often. I prefer to spend my money on farrier, dentist etc. You sound as though you have your priorities right in that your horses are really well cared for. As long as your tack fits who cares what make it is.

 

[Bluesy]

As someone who also uses a thorowgood saddle I say screw what they think ! I have the GP T8 and absolutely love it and was sold to me by my saddle fitter who also loves thorowgoods. They save so much hassle with interchangeable gullets as my youngster has changed so much I would have gone through so many saddles at however much (a lot) each! I would rather the lightweight and changable thorowgood that I know fits. People are so ignorant !

 

[catembi]

I totally love my T4s! I have a jumping one and a dressage one, and my pony has a wintec which is also brilliant. Life's too short to clean tack! I also buy pretty much everything 2nd hand - £90 barely used Ariat breeches for £10 on ebay, etc - as horses are expensive enough without being sniffy about buying used things!

 

[scruffyponies]

If there is one thing I have learned over the years, it is that there is NO correlation between the cost of the gear and the competence of the owner or welfare of the horse. Take no notice of online trolls.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Some people are idiots. I researched for ages before deciding on a Thorowgood GP for my young (at the time) horse. He kept changing shape and the Thorowgood is eminently adjustable and lightweight. Ignore them, OP, they’re being snobby. The only important thing is if the horse is comfortable.

Least comfortable saddle I ever sat on was worth thousands, big brand, killed my fanjo. ?

 

[Julie Ole Girl]

We all struggle with the expense of keeping horses, what matters most is the love and care you give them, like they care what class of saddle they have as long as they are comfy and YOU their Hooman are there for them. We are their safe haven.

 

[southerncomfort]

Ok so I keep my horses cheaply, they live out 24/7. They see the farrier, vet, dentist as needed and I use a physio and saddle fitter several times a year. I occasionally buy nice stuff I like such as the odd matchy set but generally their stuff is basic and often 2nd hand. I commented the other day on a FB post and got a reply that has, probably irrationally, got me down and upset me a bit. I'm usually pretty thick skinned but I commented that I used Thorowgood T4 saddles for my 2 horses as they were inexpensive, adjustable and lightweight. I got shot down saying that these were not good reasons for buying sh*t stuff and that if I couldn't afford to purchase "proper" tack that I shouldn't keep horses. !! I use these saddles as I can't afford to keep replacing saddles for the younger horse, though if he needed a different type he would get one. I struggle with my Fibromyalgia to lift leather saddles these days and the synthetic are easier to clean.
Saddle fitter is happy with the saddles and their fit and we adjust the gullet etc as needed.
But now I'm questioning everything I buy and feeling bad.
Is it just me or do some people just really sick the fun out of everything..???

SLH - I ride my young Fell pony in a Thorowgood Pony Club Saddle (bought 2nd hand off ebay!) as fitted by my Saddle fitter. She hates Wintecs but thinks the TG saddles are well made and much better quality.

I bought a nice leather WH Saddle (I had to sell a few things to afford it) for him which looked the part but he wasn't as happy in it and I found it really uncomfortable so we've gone back to the TG. He's happy so I'm happy.

I'm like you. My ponies don't go without but I do have to look for bargains and that often means using more unfashionable brands. I'm ok with that.

 

[meleeka]

It sounds as if people haven’t read properly (or you didn’t explain) and have read “I use Thorowgood saddles because they are cheap” rather than what you meant which was “I use Thorowgood saddles because they fit my horses well, are light enough for me to lift and are also affordable”. People love to voice their opinion on the internet (we do it here a lot!) and I’d probably question a friend who was using something just because it was cheap, rather than because it was suitable (cheap and suitable is the perfect solution, but suitable should always come first). Of course I wouldn’t voice my opinion unless asked for, but plenty of people just like being judgemental.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Says that those people are more about the image. Who the hell cares. Faran has basically up until now been living in Kia’s tack rugs boots bandages etc. he has had very little up until now bought new for him. He is in some of eowyns stuff as she was 6ft3. I’ve had to buy a few things but not many.

He is being backed and will be ridden away in Kia’s T6 cob that I bought in 2008. Saddle fitter will fit it to him in the spring, Also Kia’s Micklem bridle I bought in 2016. Numnahs, girths bits etc are all Kia’s now as he’s in that size.

Don’t feel bad for someone else’s irrational snobbery. Laugh and tell them to do one. I’ve had to do it frequently ?

 

[NightStock]

I think this says a whole lot more about them than it does about you! I rode my 'fancy' warmblood in a synthetic Wintec for years as my budget had gone on buying her, but it fit her and she was happy in it.

 

[canteron]

Social media must be your slave not your master!


Good happy knowledgable people don’t write snarky posts.

 

[Ceriann]

Take no notice at all - people who feel the need to be vicious key board warriors are often just unhappy with their own lot. Please don’t take it personally.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If you are satisfied with the care and attention that your horses get and that they are fit and healthy, what does it matter what anybody else thinks?

 

[Cragrat]

There is a cartoon somewhere of a fancy, immaculate horse, if I recall with huge rug, being led by an immaculate rider. A scruffy, happy, hairy coblet is being led by a less immaculate rider. Each rider is thinking 'Poor horse!'

As for T4's, they are VERY well designed, benefitting from the same research and tree as Kent and Masters, and I think Fairfax too. I had 3 at one point, and would have another in a heart beat if they fitted the current odd ball. They are light, tough, comfy for horse and rider, fantastic for a days hacking in all weathers, and still smart for competition.

 

[windand rain]

"All the gear and no idea comes to mind regarding those making hurtful comments. Like you SLH I don't have money to burn but like you the ponies get everything they need. Might use a bit more judgement and take more care of the costings than those that can buy and afford to make expensive mistakes but they do not care one way or the other as long as they are comfortable/fed/watered and can live as free as possible.

 

[Hopelessly horsey]

I know it's easier said than done but try to take no notice. If your tack fits well and your horses are happy and healthy then that's all THEY would ask for.

There are plenty out there in the world.of social media that spend thousands on tack yet cannot ride one side of their horse and spent half their time hanging of the poor things back teeth!

 

[Antw23uk]

Ok so I keep my horses cheaply, they live out 24/7. They see the farrier, vet, dentist as needed and I use a physio and saddle fitter several times a year. I occasionally buy nice stuff I like such as the odd matchy set but generally their stuff is basic and often 2nd hand. I commented the other day on a FB post and got a reply that has, probably irrationally, got me down and upset me a bit. I'm usually pretty thick skinned but I commented that I used Thorowgood T4 saddles for my 2 horses as they were inexpensive, adjustable and lightweight. I got shot down saying that these were not good reasons for buying sh*t stuff and that if I couldn't afford to purchase "proper" tack that I shouldn't keep horses. !! I use these saddles as I can't afford to keep replacing saddles for the younger horse, though if he needed a different type he would get one. I struggle with my Fibromyalgia to lift leather saddles these days and the synthetic are easier to clean.
Saddle fitter is happy with the saddles and their fit and we adjust the gullet etc as needed.
But now I'm questioning everything I buy and feeling bad.
Is it just me or do some people just really sick the fun out of everything..???

I'll go back and read the replies in a moment but your first and biggest mistake was expressing an opinion on social media and taking a reply from a stranger, personally! Do not justify yourself to anyone and do not take some random persons comment to heart! If you cant do that then stay away from social media, it is the devil!

 

[SO1]

I think expensive saddles are a bit of thing at the moment. The equestrian scene has phases where certain things become seen to be given more importance than perhaps need be.

A friend of mine who is wealthy has a beautiful handcrafted saddle I don't have a beautiful hand crafted saddle. She has a dressage horse, I have a native pony.

We both enjoy our horses despite our different budgets. She never makes me feel bad that I can't afford the same sort of tack that she has.

I have come across some people who have made me feel bad for not having the most hi tec gear or spending money on alternative therapies. I have seen several people spend over 10k on various expensive saddles and saddle fittings to try and find the perfect saddles with constant adjustments who move from one supplier to the next.

Spending more money will not guarantee a happier healthier horse. Spending less money doesn't mean your horse is not happy or healthy. There is a lot of luck involved with horse ownership as well as skill it does not just come down to money.

Designer tack I expect is somewhat like designer clothes part of the cost is for the brand, then the quality of materials and then having the design fitted and templated to the horse and being able to add bespoke extras such as bling.

The cheaper saddles don't have the same design features but can still be fit for purpose.

Expensive and cheap saddles can both have the same fitting problems.

 

[Goldenstar]

You just must delete the incident from your mind every time you think of it imagine closing a door on the thought and think of something nice .
There’s a lot of strangeness on FB.

I will make you laugh , I will tell about one of my very few trips down the FB rabbit hole, lady posted picture of Labrador saying vet says he needs to lose weight what do you think ? Dozens of people saying He’s fine etc etc , now the dog had a back like a coffee table he was a chubber . So I said your vet was right, your dog is fat he’s young do something about it while it’s easy .
Oh dear it did not go well .

 

[Hepsibah]

I use a T4 on my Highland because it fits her. If anyone said what was said to you I'd tell them to put their opinion where it fits best.
It's gatekeeping at it's stupidest.

 

[Winters100]

Are your horses fine? If so then carry on, No need to feel upset. People so often have opinions about what we do with our horses, but no need to take notice of them.

 

[Cob Life]

SLH - I ride my young Fell pony in a Thorowgood Pony Club Saddle (bought 2nd hand off ebay!) as fitted by my Saddle fitter. She hates Wintecs but thinks the TG saddles are well made and much better quality.

I bought a nice leather WH Saddle (I had to sell a few things to afford it) for him which looked the part but he wasn't as happy in it and I found it really uncomfortable so we've gone back to the TG. He's happy so I'm happy.

I'm like you. My ponies don't go without but I do have to look for bargains and that often means using more unfashionable brands. I'm ok with that.

My favourite saddle growing up was the TG PC saddle!

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

Thanks everyone...I have skin like a rhino 99% of the time but this just really got to me...having an off day I guess. My boys definitely seem to be happy etc so I need to remind myself of that....they don't care what saddle they are ridden in as long as it doesn't pinch or make them sore.
A couple of the replies made me laugh...I needed the kick up the butt I think

 

[Charley657]

Trust me, those people are not happy with themselves or their lives. Happy contented people don't do that to others. You have tack that fits and suits your needs and that is more than some horse owners provide.

 

[ponynutz]

I have a Thoroughgood and do you know what it hasn't let me down for 7 years now... especially with a horse who's constantly changing shape.

OP ur horse's sound like they have a wonderful life - and also at the end of the day, they're horses! If they're comfortable and happy what is the problem? I'm sorry you received that comment and it upset you xxx

 

[laura_nash]

Some people are determined to equate the amount of time and money spent on horse care with the quality of the horse's lives. In reality the two are mostly unrelated (provided there is enough money for vets fees etc when needed).

Mine live out and I don't poo pick so I get a bit of this, people who think the amount of time they spend mucking out, poo picking and lugging water about each day means they care more about their horses or their horses have a better life. No I just have automatic water and (comparatively) lots of land.

It's a bit like the "reverse snobbery" about full livery. Horses really don't care how much money people spend on a saddle so long as it is comfy for them, any more than they care how, if or by whom the mucking out/poo picking is done provided they have a clean living environment.

 

[Quigleyandme]

I had a lesson on a lovely little mare with a TG saddle. I don’t know which model it was but it was the most comfortable saddle I’ve ever ridden in.