Kent and Masters Cob Dressage

[Nojacketrequired]

I have this saddle on trial and have the XXW gullet installed.
(Yes, my horse is a propane tank.)
He goes REALLY well in it and I’ve even had someone mention to me that he “looks happy tonight” when I was riding in it for the first time. I’ve ridden in it three times and he doesn’t get grumpy when I put it on or girth it up, like he does with other saddles.
My concern is that there is less room between the pommel and his withers than I am used to. When I am mounted, I can only get about 1 1/2 fingers inbetween the pommel and his withers.

It definitely doesn’t touch his wither.

Is this a deal-breaker? Or to be expected as he is so wide?

NJR

[Dutchmare433]

I had a Detente with a cob tree for my last horse, I was told, because of the shape of the back and the tree, that cob trees don’t need as much clearance as would be needed for say, a high withered horse. You need enough clearance that it isn’t touching the wither while you’re in the saddle, of course. But it sounds like you have that.

I’d say, believe him if he tells you he’s happy with it!

[jaybird660]

Low profile trees show less clearance due to their shape. As long as it doesn’ touch, the horse doesn’t care. It is a flocked saddle and therefore, can be adjusted somewhat and if necessary, a narrower plate.

[Alexie]

Mine is the same. Exactly the same.

[artisticgold]

I have the same saddle, and the fitter installed the xxxw gullet, but it definitely was low in front. So, we installed the xxw gullet, and after she left it still felt too low in front to me, I am very sensitive to the balance. So, I replaced it with the xw gullet, and it looks like it sits just ever so slightly high in front, but once I sit in it, it is level…

My Lipizzaner loves the saddle, too, after trying about 80 saddles, no exaggeration. My only wish is that they would make a deeper seat, as she is quick and athletic, I need to be able to stick with her no matter what. The cob saddle is not a deep saddle, so in my old age doesn’t give me the feeling of security that I would like, although it is very comfortable.

[Crockpot]

if you have that much clearance while sitting in the saddle should be fine

BUT but do not add a half pad

Pommel clearance is easy for anyone to see-

it is what is happening under the stirrup bars that is trickier as I found out.

[myhorsefaith]

[QUOTE=artisticgold;8574073]

My Lipizzaner loves the saddle, too, after trying about 80 saddles, no exaggeration. My only wish is that they would make a deeper seat, as she is quick and athletic, I need to be able to stick with her no matter what. The cob saddle is not a deep saddle, so in my old age doesn’t give me the feeling of security that I would like, although it is very comfortable.[/QUOTE]\

me too! I had this saddle and I ended up selling it because the seat was just too shallow to suit my needs. I had an S-series low profile which was supposed to be the answer, but the panels are NOT the same and the fit is quite different. It would be awesome if Thorowgood/KM could come up with a saddle with short cob panels and a deeper seat.

[cuatx55]

[QUOTE=myhorsefaith;8574216]
\

me too! I had this saddle and I ended up selling it because the seat was just too shallow to suit my needs. I had an S-series low profile which was supposed to be the answer, but the panels are NOT the same and the fit is quite different. It would be awesome if Thorowgood/KM could come up with a saddle with short cob panels and a deeper seat.[/QUOTE]

Fairfax makes a $3500 saddle that has a deeper seat that i’l be trying, hopefully.

I have the K&M reg. dressage on trial since it fits my horse GREAT, but I’m torn about the shallow seat. I’ll give it a go. It has really nice gusseting for my wide backed horse.

[myhorsefaith]

the KM Original dressage - I’ve had 2 :o in different sizes, for different horses over the years. They are nice saddles for the price. The first one I sold when the horse was retired and it didn’t fit my other horses. The second I ended up selling it because I could not really settle into the sweet spot in a balanced way, I was catching myself constantly adjusting my seat, scooting forward into that spot because I was always behind it. The next size up was too big and the next size down solved it but felt really small. So i gave up on it. The cob model, for some reason, I am fine in. Haven’t had an issue with the s-series either, but it is a completely different seat.

Interesting on the Fairfax- let us know how that one goes. I tried one a few years ago and I remember feeling that the twist was really wide. Nice saddle, though. Haven’t really kept up on developments on that saddle so not sure what, if anything has changed over the years.

[Alexie]

[QUOTE=Crockpot;8574177]
if you have that much clearance while sitting in the saddle should be fine

BUT but do not add a half pad

Pommel clearance is easy for anyone to see-

it is what is happening under the stirrup bars that is trickier as I found out.[/QUOTE]

What was going on under the stirrup bars may I ask?

[Crockpot]

[QUOTE=Alexie;8574476]
What was going on under the stirrup bars may I ask?[/QUOTE]

Oh nothing mysterious. It is just that the saddle may appear to fit when you check for clearances and bridging but still pinch under the stirrup bars

[Alexie]

Thanks for replying, how did you find out?

[Foxtrot_s]

Take off a clean but sweaty saddle pad and check under it for marks or no marks (Bridging).

[Arabiandressage]

Propane tank type horse usually don’t follow the traditional rule of thumb and the pommel will sit closer. Propane type horses generally do not have as tall of withers, they are mutton with a smaller differential between wither height and the lowest point of the back. As long as there is clearance while you are in the saddle try not to over worry yourself.

[Arabiandressage]

Wish I would have read this before my reply I could have just then said DITTO, lol!

[Crockpot]

[QUOTE=Alexie;8574873]
Thanks for replying, how did you find out?[/QUOTE]

Saddlefitter discovered it. ( Not the same as bridging- it was pinching the base of the withers - in area under stirrup bars.)

ETA I was speaking of saddle fitting generally- not specificallyabout the model in question

[Draftmare]

As others have said, you should be fine. As long as you have some clearance, the cob and hoop tree saddles have less overall clearance due to their shape.