I’ve adopted a pony sized pony - 13.2 broad flat backed Haflinger. She fits in neither my County Solution nor Custom Saddlery dressage saddle. Considering a Duett Foxhunter or Thorowgood T8 Jump saddle…any thoughts on either or recs for other brands/models? Thanks!
If she is truly flat backed, a Wintec wide on its widest setting would fit well. However, the saddle has a LOT of extra padding (knees and panels), so it works best for people who like a wide twist and have flexible hips. I do not know if the T’good jump would have a wide enough gullet plate. The T’good cob saddle would probably be an excellent choice, though. Thorowgood has a fitting worksheet on their website that can be downloaded.
Congratulations on your pony!
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If the pony is flat front to back as well as side to side, I don’t think the Wintec would work. At least the fitter told me the front to back curve on the Wintec tree was the problem trying to use it on my horse.
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Very true! IME the wider the gullet plate that’s installed, the more banana shaped the tree becomes from front to back. Thank you for reminding me! I found it a very uncomfortable saddle to sit on with the wider plates installed. The Thorowgood cob saddle was much closer contact (thinner panels and flap padding) and much easier to sit. For me the rider balance in the T’goods is also better. Wintecs give me a pronounced chair seat.
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Thanks for all the responses. I had heard good things about the Thorowgood CobT4 - M&M Saddlery in NC is the only store I’ve been able to find that carries them (and right now is out of my size seat). Anyone know of another source? I’m calling M&M tomorrow.
I have a Fairfax Cob (same tree and gullet as the T’Good and Kent and Masters saddles) for my propane tank Connemara cross. Mine was actually a used consignment saddle that I found through M&M. Mary, their fitter, is pretty awesome.
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Honestly, I bought mine on ebay from a seller in the UK. The cob saddles are easy to find there, and the shipping took less than a week to NC. Right now, I did an advanced search for “Thorowgood cob saddle” in “UK only” location, and 33 listings popped up. Some of them already have specified international shipping and customs provided. Other sellers can be contacted about shipping if you have a question. Many of these saddles look to be in excellent condition, and would be a good bit less expensive than buying new.
One thing to consider, if you’ve never ridden in a T’good before is that they tend to fit a little snug, maybe a half size smaller than usual. I think this is intentional, as it really helps with rider balance, but if you prefer a more open seat, you might want to size up a half inch or so. Hopefully, someone else will chime in if their experiences re: seat size were different - definitely don’t want to steer you wrong!
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Greenhawk carries the Thorowgood Broadback, which is the same as the Cob, if you want a new rather than used saddle. They ship to the US. It comes with a “wide” gullet installed. Just bought one for my guy, and though have only ridden in it a few times, we both like it. It’s not as low profile as I thought it would be but is very comfortable to sit in and the billet options keep the saddle quite well anchored. The seat is a little snugger compared to other brands, but seems fine (have not jumped in it yet). I had read that the saddle is quite long and was concerned that it would sit past the last rib on my guy but have not found that to be the case. Overall very happy with it so far.
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What seat size do you need? I have a couple in stock. Pm
The Harry Dabbs Hunter tree is designed for a horse of this type, and I happen to have a couple demos marked down right now! Black Country Freedom Tree is also quite flat, as is the Jeffries XP, and both are hoop trees that can be put in dressage, GP, or jump saddles. Oh, I actually have the XP demos marked down, too… I have too many saddles. :lol:
A treeless might work great coupled with a skito pad.
Thanks, I’ve considered that but have been told treeless saddles aren’t good for jumping.
Hastilow has Thorowgoods:
I got mine from them when starting my WB mare - she is low-withered, flat backed and shaped like a tube - took an extra wide tree when she was 3 1/2, 4 - now fits into a wide at age 6.
The Thorowgoods are great all-purpose saddles (I bought mine as a “starter saddle” for my young greenie and subsequently sold it back to Hastilow when it was time to specialize and get separate dressage and jumping saddles): they are very comfortable, well-balanced, easy to clean, CHEAP!, and have an adjustable tree. The panels are on the flat side and fit the witherless tabletop shapes well. As another poster said, the seats tend to be on the small side - so keep that in mind!
ETA they are comfortable to jump over low stuff; just shorten your stirrups - but for anything higher than 2’6", 3’ you would probably want to upgrade to a jump saddle.
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