Thornhill saddles-- how do you like 'em? And how's their tree made?

[mvp]

I test drove a Thornhill Pro-Trainer Danube a couple of days ago and I liked it…. pretty much.

I liked it’s balance and thought it was a good deal in terms of quality vs. price.

But! This one’s panels were sewn on asymmetrically. And when bending it around, the tree seemed stiff. (It felt that way, too, but I couldn’t distinguish the saddle’s stiffness from that of the horse who has some “issues.”)

My questions, then:

Anyone know what Thornhill trees are made of? Injection molded plastic? Traditional British wood/steel/web spring tree?

And how do you like their quality?

Thanks.

[SendenHorse]

I have used thronhill since 2007 and really like them. I always suggest trying the actual saddle you want to buy- slight differences in quality. My saddles have all been correct and held up to regular use.

[myhorsefaith]

I had (have, but it is on consignment locally) a 17.5" Danube - I was pleasantly surprised by the overall quality. I liked the seat, and the room it gave me, though it felt almost a bit too roomy - which i think has more to do with the seat/thigh block configuration and how the rider’s leg hangs. Also liked the shorter panels, and the room around the shoulder for the horse.

I bought it for a little Arab mare - and it was a pretty good fit. She, however sold quickly so the saddle just sat around for a few months. So the next horse I tried it on- it was too wide, though I personally liked riding in it - I was quite comfortable. They were both smaller arabians with short flat backs. I tried it on my other, wider, horse too and it felt, for the rider, way too wide on him though fit him pretty darn well. Had the twist been just a bit narrower on him, i would’ve had a really inexpensive, ride-able saddle for a hard to fit horse.

I think they are definitely worth a look. I didn’t notice any quality issues- i bought mine brand new. I didn’t use mine long enough to comment how they break in and wear - mine was still essentially new.

I also had a Vienna II a few years back, purchased brand new, and that one too was a pleasant surprise. It ended up going with the horse when he sold.

I always keep Thornhill in the back of my mind when looking for an inexpensive saddle. They seem to have a decent range of models.

Good luck!

[StormyDay]

No idea about the tree, but I sat in their CC saddle at a consignment store and loved it. It put me into the perfect position and actually fit my leg. It had held up well too. Didn’t fit my horse though. If the dressage saddles are anything like that one, I would get it!

[ShesMyKeepsake]

I bought a Thornhill Germania Klasse for my mare last spring that was a lovely little saddle. It seemed like nice quality leather and was comfortable for the five minutes I actually got to sit in it. If I remember right, that tree was a wooden spring tree and the saddle was wool flocked. Other than a missing pommel nail head I don’t remember there being anything flawed with the saddle and/or it’s construction.

Sadly it in no way even came close to fitting my mare which boggled my mind as the previous owner was supposedly using it on an even wider, no-withered Haflinger. My girl promptly rejected it (and me) as it slid over her withers and halfway up her neck the second I asked for a trot.

[myhorsefaith]

Here is what their Catalog says regarding the Danube - spring tree and wool panels:

Pro-Trainer® DANUBE™#104 Elegant styling with soft curves and classic lines. Soft seat, narrower twist andclose contact wool stuffed panels make this saddle extremely popular. A great designand value. Available in premium smooth black bridle leather. Sizes 17", 17 1/2", 18" and19’’ seats. Medium, wide and extra wide tree widths. Girthing: point and V billets forbalanced girthing. 10 year spring tree warranty.Sizes 17" - 18" Retail $1495.00Size 19’’ Retail $1595.00

[mvp]

[QUOTE=myhorsefaith;8076348]
10 year spring tree warranty.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I remember seeing that, too. But man, you couldn’t bend that saddle if you tried. To me, it felt as stiff as the injection-molded plastic tree-ed saddles I have ridden in.

I’m not sure this is real, but I think my body can tell the difference and it wants a spring tree or it complains that the ride is jarring.

[sheltona01]

Part of what you might be feeling is the flocking. The material compresses and gets hard. There was a lot of them floating around in MN where I use to live. They are priced about right and I recommended to people who buy them to get them completely re-flocked.

[mvp]

Actually, I think the flocking and foam padding in the seat are nice. It was when I tried to flex the seat, front to back that I got no give. Yanno, put the put the saddle on one leg, cantle away from you and try to pull that puppy toward you? IME, you can feel some flex in a wood/steel/linen spring tree and almost none when you try to do that with a plastic tree.

“Not that there’s anything wrong with that”-- plastic trees, that is. As I understand it, many pretty good brands have used those for awhile. But I think my spine needs more help than that.

Here’s the conflict:

My spine likes a Stubben tree.

My “Inverness” does not.

How to choose between those competing agendas?

[ArabDiva]

[QUOTE=mvp;8077063]

Here’s the conflict:

My spine likes a Stubben tree.

My “Inverness” does not.

How to choose between those competing agendas?[/QUOTE]

Do the thornhills (that you’ve tried) ride anything like the stubbens?

I’m in a ~15 yo Stubben Tristan right now. I really like the balance of it and the open seat, but the seat is sooooo hard!

[mvp]

[QUOTE=ArabDiva;8077155]
Do the thornhills (that you’ve tried) ride anything like the stubbens?

I’m in a ~15 yo Stubben Tristan right now. I really like the balance of it and the open seat, but the seat is sooooo hard![/QUOTE]

No, the Stubben Tristans and Thornhills (as well as almost every other soft, modern saddle out there) ride differently.

The big deal is how close to the horse’s center of gravity and withers you can sit. As I understand it, a Tristan (especially a Tristan Special) lets you sit further forward. You also can have a knee that’s a little more bent. Of course, there’s a longer balance point to the seat and the whole thing is much shallower.

Frankly, I prefer the Stubben design and the way you can learn to ride in those saddles.

But they are hard. Ha-ard. Incidentally, a covered version like a Romanus or a Parzival will feel a tad softer.

I had hoped that the short block on the Danube would give me some of what I want. And the little mare I’m trying to fit is probably a 34 cm. I have yet to see any kind of Tristan made wide enough for that.

Hope this helps. Seriously look for a Romanus if you want to try to stay in the Old Flat Stubben Camp and still use your reproductive bits.