Thorowgood questions

[Heinz_57]

Firstly, are there any shops in the US stock the Cob models?

Secondly, does anyone have experience with the Compact models? I realize they use a different tree, but they seem to be the only model other than standard & high wither carried by US retailers, and I do need to keep back length in mind (horse has a very short back, but is also cob shaped).

And my last question: since they only offer the Cob in a “GP” and dressage, is the GP comparable to a standard all-purpose saddle? I’ve never been a fan of AP saddles and I’m concerned it’s going to invite the typical chair seat and be more no-purpose than general purpose.

There are no tack stores nearby, and while we do have a decent selection of saddle fitters, they are all affiliated with high-end brands.

[KittyinAus]

In Australia AP (all purpose) and general purpose are interchangeable terms. I have a hunch that is also the case in the UK.

[Dr_Doolittle]

Try Hastilow Saddlery in PA - they will probably ship, and have a good selection of Thorowgood models.

I had the T8 AP for my young, low withered mare and rode her in it for a good 6 to 9 months. She has a kind of “tube shape”, but is long backed not short coupled, not much of a wither and a fairly laid-back shoulder so it’s hard to keep saddles from sliding up a bit if they are wide enough in the tree for her. The Thorowgoods are adjustable, which helps. I found the saddle very lightweight and comfortable, obviously it’s the “best of both worlds” (so not ideal) with regard to jumping and flat work, but I was able to adjust my stirrups up-and-down as needed for both – and remained fairly balanced in the saddle - though I probably wouldn’t recommend jumping bigger fences in it. I also used a TSF girth to help keep it in the right place.

It’s great compromise in many ways, and can really help with the hard to fit horse. I wound up biting the bullet when she was about to turn 5 and buying separate dressage and jumping saddles for her, but I often miss the Thorowgood, it was so wonderfully lightweight!

[Heinz_57]

Lightweight is a plus, Dr. D. I just sold my Schleese CC and it weighed in at 20lb!

Thanks for the tip on Hastilow, I’ll check with them. I’m leaning towards one of the Thorowgood dressage saddles, and will be contacting a saddler about rehabbing another saddle I have (a jump saddle) that seems to fit her fairly well now. I don’t want to make any huge saddle purchases until the horse has been in work for a while and I can get a feel for how she will fill out, Thorowgood seems like an affordable option.

[luvmyhackney]

I have the compact 16.5" for my pony and its a lovely saddle for the witherless horses/ponies with a slightly curvy back. He almost needs a hoop tree but not quite and its very light. Easy to clean and it holds up for trail riding and swimming as well. Not a badly balanced saddle at all. Its the one I always grab to ride in.

[sheltona01]

You really need to pay attention to what tree is in what saddle and the panels. If you want give me a call and I can suggest what model would work best for your needs. 612 799 3811

[Heinz_57]

@sheltona01

You really need to pay attention to what tree is in what saddle and the panels. If you want give me a call and I can suggest what model would work best for your needs. 612 799 3811

Thanks! When I’m ready to pull the trigger I just might do that.

[horsepoor]

There is a fitter that does Thorowgood up north - I’ll look for the name/website and add to the end of this. Not sure if she goes all the way down to where you are, but might be worth asking. I have a T8 dressage saddle that my Haflinger mare goes great in, and when I tried her, it was using the seller’s Thorowgood (not sure what model but it might have been the GP/AP type) which came from the aforementioned fitter. Apparently my mare went “better than ever” in the Thorowgood compared to any other saddles they’d tried on her. Having a horse that prefers the $ saddle rather than the $$$ is a new one for me, that is for sure!

The fitter’s website is http://www.addikensaddlefitting.com/

[Nova28]

Smartpak carries Thorowgood saddles. They are in my area so I can drive to them, but I’m always seeing rave reviews about their Smartpak Test Ride Program. I had a young foster horse with an incredibly high wither and super short back. The Thorowgood high wither compact GP was the only brand that fit her. The changeable gullet was ideal for a young, changing horse.

[kashmere]

I’ve had several Thorowgoods, and have one now for my mare - I have always found them to be well made, nicely balanced saddles that are comfortable for horse and rider. Even their non “cob” models have generous gullets and lots of room for the shoulders - while still having the panel depth to provide wither clearance.

My only gripe is that they do not come in various flap lengths/ configurations. I am very tall, and while I love my T6 Dressage saddle, the flaps are quite straight and short, which is a less-than-ideal combination for anyone with a long femur; I am eventually going to have to replace it with something that is more suitable for long legs.

That being said, it is a lovely saddle and really does the job well.

[whichchick]

I have dealt with the Hastilow folks in PA (they’re right near me but do travel quite a bit for fittings on the east coast – not sure they’d go to Oregon though…) and have a Thorowgood GP cob that I got from them that I’ve been riding in for the last… two years? I’ve have had it checked for fit and flocked slightly to adjust it twice in that timeframe, by the Hastilow people. The horse has gone from weedy 4 year old to somewhat stockier 6 year old, so this is to be expected.

They seem to be pretty on-the-ball. Saddle fits the horse from right after it is flocked up to six months to a year thereafter – depends on how the horse grows and muscles up. I expect to need a bit less on the fitting front once he’s adult-sized and more stable in his musculature.

The saddle is comfortable to ride in and seems to suit the horse. There’s a bit of chair seat going on when I ride in it but I think it’s largely floppy middle-aged ammie rider than any fault of the saddle. It’s secure in rough country (up and down steep hills, jumping over small xc fences, fording creeks) and has held up well during my ownership. I’ve done conditioning for 30 mile limited distance rides in it and while it is not as supremely comfortable (for me) as my slippery-smooth hard seated antique (falling apart) stubben all purpose, it is entirely workable for four or five hours in the saddle, both for me and the horse.

[shubadi]

I just ran across this post and I happen to have a newer Thorowgood Endurance saddle that you could try (we are both in Oregon, I believe). It currently has the Wide gullet plate installed as my horse has gained weight since I bought it. Thorowgoods run very wide anyway. It has a cutback pommel (a must for my guy) and is described as great for short-backed horses. I got it from Hastilow and you can read up on more details on their website. (edited to add: It is no longer there. The Thorowgood website shows a T8 version which is the same but with some leather bits as opposed to all synthetic.)

Let me know if you would like to borrow it for a free trial. I am not using it currently–too hot outside! We are just riding bareback.