would you choose New Thorowgood or (used) Kent&Masters

[UKa]

My 5 year old Connie needs a new saddle after altering shape at maturing. Saddler recommends a Thorowgood or Kent and Masters. I have had a Thorowgood for donkeys years on my late horse and used it still for when I acquired my new pony and it’s done excellent service and lasted. I would pobably not be able to justify expense of a new K&M so would need to get 2nd hand. which one do people prefer and why. Leather or synthetic and also 2nd hand leather or brand new syntheti?

 

[ihatework]

I’d always go a good condition second hand leather saddle

 

[teapot]

Anything but a K&M personally

 

[teacups]

I have a K&M and find it very comfortable. Do you know whether it would suit you? If both saddles suit the horse, and are both good for you too, then I would always go for leather - personal preference.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Agree with ihatework and teapot not keen on either of those saddles.

 

[UKa]

I’d always go a good condition second hand leather saddle

Thanks. what your reason?

 

[UKa]

Anything but a K&M personally

Ok why is that

 

[Barton Bounty]

I like the thorowgood t4 , its quite comfy. But i find K & M leather a bit hard to sit on.

 

[MissTyc]

I much prefer sitting on the K&M compared to the T4 - have several of each.

So, moral of this thread is you might need to find one of each to sit on and decide what works better for you!

 

[teapot]

Ok why is that

Not a fan as every single one I've sat in has tipped me forward and on a range of horses too. The newer Thorowgood are ok, but I'd choose anything leather over synthetic.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

My 5 year old Connie needs a new saddle after altering shape at maturing. Saddler recommends a Thorowgood or Kent and Masters. I have had a Thorowgood for donkeys years on my late horse and used it still for when I acquired my new pony and it’s done excellent service and lasted. I would pobably not be able to justify expense of a new K&M so would need to get 2nd hand. which one do people prefer and why. Leather or synthetic and also 2nd hand leather or brand new syntheti?

Kent and Masters every time so comfy
don't like keffer or Albion or country
would not get a wow saddle either

like Falcon and gGFS that is all

 

[Jango]

Honestly saddles are so personal! What fits one person might be awful for another. Can you have a ride in both and see how you feel? I don't like synthetic saddles, I have a K&M and it's really comfy so that would be the choice for me.

 

[UKa]

Honestly saddles are so personal! What fits one person might be awful for another. Can you have a ride in both and see how you feel? I don't like synthetic saddles, I have a K&M and it's really comfy so that would be the choice for me.

Yes I will get the fitter to bring either. I have had a Thorowgood for 20 years and been really happy. I just wanted to know if there’s any benefits of leather over synthetic other than personal preference really

 

[teapot]

Yes I will get the fitter to bring either. I have had a Thorowgood for 20 years and been really happy. I just wanted to know if there’s any benefits of leather over synthetic other than personal preference really

Leather are longer lasting, mould to horse and rider more

 

[teddy_]

You might find the K&M would be easier to sell than a synthetic, should you ever need to. I have never ridden in K&M, but they seem to be quite popular .

 

[UKa]

You might find the K&M would be easier to sell than a synthetic, should you ever need to. I have never ridden in K&M, but they seem to be quite popular .

Ah. Not really bothered about selling on value,

 

[Tiddlypom]

Up to recently I had never ridden in a Thorowgood saddle. I have heard all the disparaging remarks about them.

I recently spent 10 hours in the saddle on a two trail riding holiday covering 33 miles in very hilly terrain in a Thorowgood saddle - it was incredibly comfortable and I didn’t get any saddle soreness at all. It fitted the horse very well, too.

All the horses there have Thorowgoods - client and horse comfort is a priority and it works for them.

 

[UKa]

Leather are longer lasting, mould to horse and rider more

Ok. how much longer do you think? My current saddle has lasted ab 12 years and would be longer if it wasn’t for fit.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I'd choose synthetic over leather, personally.

 

[UKa]

Up to recently I had never ridden in a Thorowgood saddle. I have heard all the disparaging remarks about them.

I recently spent 10 hours in the saddle on a two trail riding holiday covering 33 miles in very hilly terrain in a Thorowgood saddle - it was incredibly comfortable and I didn’t get any saddle soreness at all. It fitted the horse very well, too.

That’s great to hear. I love my Thorowgood but also want to check out leather while I am investing at this point

 

[UKa]

I'd choose synthetic over leather, personally.

Oooh interesting is that to do with care and cleaning? I ride my new pony in all weathers as she is Irish and not bothered and so young and no indoor facilities. Therefore synthetic sounds a good option.

 

[marmalade76]

I'd usually choose leather over synthetic but I have looked at K&M and don't like the quality (lack of) and have heard that a lot of people find them uncomfortable so if I were you I'd stick to what I know. My fave brands are Ideal & AH, comfortable and quality

 

[Zoeypxo]

I had a t8 for years found it great , my horse chunked out as she got older and needed a wider tree, now in albion dressage i love it.
I don’t personally get on with k&m

Whichever fits your horse best and you find the most comfortable id go for

 

[Peglo]

I can’t comment on either saddle you’ve mentioned but I also like a synthetic saddle because I’m lazy with tack cleaning. I would happily have a synthetic if it was a good fit for the horse.

 

[webble]

The Thorowgood T8 is part leather

 

[poiuytrewq]

Another neither sorry!
Do ride in both before making any decision. I once had an old T4- (new at the time) loved it, upgraded to a t6 hated it.
Was then given for free a new K+M and it was awful. It tipped me forward and made me feel really off balance.
I know they are all apparently the same but I now have a Fairfax and it’s brilliant.

 

[Kaylum]

Beware we have had some 2nd hand synthetics in and they have disintegrated inside when we have took the gullet out. Personally I think them getting wet doesn't do them any good. People tend to use soapy water to clean them.

 

[sarcasm_queen]

My Connie’s in a K & M, fits us both very nicely.

 

[SpeedyPony]

I've had hoth thorowgood and Kent and masters- much prefer the thorowgood and it's certainly earned its keep over the years- but I agree it's personal preference, if you can get both on trial from somewhere I'd do that- that way you can check which fits the horse better and fits you better (ideally take them for a couple of hours ride, sometimes a saddle feels fine to ride in initially but is no good for longer rides).
I don't mind a synthetic either- they tend to be lighter and much easier to clean, but do look less smart/are less easily repaired.

 

[UKa]

I've had hoth thorowgood and Kent and masters- much prefer the thorowgood and it's certainly earned its keep over the years- but I agree it's personal preference, if you can get both on trial from somewhere I'd do that- that way you can check which fits the horse better and fits you better (ideally take them for a couple of hours ride, sometimes a saddle feels fine to ride in initially but is no good for longer rides).
I don't mind a synthetic either- they tend to be lighter and much easier to clean, but do look less smart/are less easily repaired.

Yes that is true about repair