Thorowgood T8 Jump - Wow! I'm impressed!

[wyeoakequine]

WNT - fyi the new version of the Thorowgood Jump has a less forward flap, or so I have heard. From what I understand no more of the older version will be made.

And maybe this version isn’t so forward as I thought, because the flap actually seemed to suit me well when I shortened my stirrups up closer to jumping length. I consider my thigh to be of the short-ish, thick-ish vareity, so I was kinda surprised. Could be I am just this un-used to looking at a jumping saddle… it has been too long.

Pic of me in the saddle: https://www.flickr.com/photos/49421553@N02/15693764301/in/photostream/

tbchick - Out of curiosity, what doesn’t work about the shorter bar for your horse? Inadequate wither clearance?

[Gestalt]

Looks very comfy! Do they only come in black?

[wyeoakequine]

Gestalt - This one I’m trying is actually brown… very dark brown, I guess.

[Rainier]

I really really really tried to end up with a t8 jump (or gp) or one of their more expensive cousins (hastilow) because i have a young developing otto. unfortunately I’ve had some back issues in the last year or so and these saddles made it far worse. Granted I never had a saddle fitter to do any fine tuning on the balance, etc., but I couldn’t ride them without being in pain. I assume that I am the only person on the planet that this is true for, and I congratulate anyone that is able to get a very adjustable and well made saddle for the money like these are. I ended up getting a custom fitted Loxley.

[allons-y]

After going through 4 saddles and multiple pads, wedges, other non-recommended quick fixes, I too bought a Thorowgood. Fits Mr Shark boy like they built it around him. I love Wintec, but none really fit. Soooooo wonderful now, place on wither, slide back til it stops, viola! Perfect spot every time. And hes reeeeeealy hard to fit - sky hi shark fin, then really round barrel. Why didn’t I buy it sooner?

[Cruiser12]

[QUOTE=allons-y;7837674]
After going through 4 saddles and multiple pads, wedges, other non-recommended quick fixes, I too bought a Thorowgood. Fits Mr Shark boy like they built it around him. I love Wintec, but none really fit. Soooooo wonderful now, place on wither, slide back til it stops, viola! Perfect spot every time. And hes reeeeeealy hard to fit - sky hi shark fin, then really round barrel. Why didn’t I buy it sooner?[/QUOTE]

“Voila” good to see the word spelled correctly. I hate hearing and seeing it spelled, “WALA”.
AND, super glad the saddle fits too!

[tbchick84]

[QUOTE=wyeoakequine;7837047]

tbchick - Out of curiosity, what doesn’t work about the shorter bar for your horse? Inadequate wither clearance?[/QUOTE]

Honestly I have no clue why it felt so weird. I’m thinking the short bar was just not enough to stabilize it side to side. It just sat on him weirdly. The long bar one fits him like a glove. The jump saddle also fit me weird. I just could not find my balance in it. I’m really hoping the new one fits both of us since I really need more leg flap. From that pic, it looks like yours fits you very well.

[wyeoakequine]

Interesting. I love the way this one fits me and I love riding in it, but it is a little unstable laterally… I don’t notice it when I’m riding around, but I sure do when I’m mounting. I have been just holding the opposite side and that’s okay, but it seems odd to me.

I sent photos and questions to Hastilow, and they do think the longer bar would be better… helping with the stability issue, for one thing. Also, on my second ride the saddle got a little low in front and for that they definitely think the longer bar will be better for that.

I’m going to experiment with a narrower gullet and see how it goes, but I have a feeling I may be sending this one back and waiting for the new version. Makes me sad, but I’ll get over it. I am inclined to prefer the longer bars anyway.

[BEARCAT]

[QUOTE=Cruiser12;7839498]
“Voila” good to see the word spelled correctly. I hate hearing and seeing it spelled, “WALA”.
AND, super glad the saddle fits too![/QUOTE]

Except she spelled it viola ;);)

[tbchick84]

My T8 shipped today, so I will soon have the new model to compare to the older one. Yey!

[NErider]

I have to come out of slumber/lurking to add my two cents: I LOVE my T8. I actually bought both the T8 High Wither model dressage and AP saddles. My last TB gelding was a hard fit, and it was perfect. The price was perfect. It’s SO comfortable. I’ve gone on long trail rides, xc, on hunts, and my butt was happy lol.

However, the AP model flaps are not super forward, but since I mostly jumped under 3’ it wasn’t a big deal to me. I did jump 3’ in it and it still felt secure. Also, the leather part is soft…in my half chaps had a tear in them and it rubbed a small hole in the leather. So as long as you don’t have crappy half chaps you’ll be fine lol.

I sold my dressage saddle to the people who now have my gelding, but I’m kiiinda kicking myself for it. I am never ever letting go of my T8 AP saddle though, it is perfect for catch riding, and since there’s a 99% chance my next horse will also be a TB with a similar shape.

[wyeoakequine]

It is encouraging to hear from Thorowgood owners who love their saddles! I’m pretty sure I’m going to love mine, too!

tbchick - That is so exciting! Please share your thoughts on it when it arrives. I hope it’s perfect for you!

[Cruiser12]

[QUOTE=BEARCAT;7842209]
Except she spelled it viola ;););)[/QUOTE]

Whoops! Well, she was closer at least!

[PonyFever]

We ended up with the Thorowgood Pony Club saddle for my daughter’s very hard-to-fit pony.

Here are some things that I learned on our “journey”:

Gullets–there are more gullets available than what you see on SmartPak and Dover. We needed the orange wide/extra wide gullet. You can only get those in England or at Hastilow Saddlery. Why? I don’t know but the “in between” gullet really made a difference in the saddle fit.

Girths–the pony also needed a new girth–probably an anatomical girth but I really didn’t want to spend that much money. . .we ended up buying the Thorowgood Cob girth which had no elastics on either end but was still split so that we could use the different billet configurations. Without the elastic inserts, the pony was less girthy and the saddle didn’t slip either.

[kkmrad94]

I actually ordered a Thorowgood and received it yesterday! It is a compact t8 gp. (http://www.thorowgood.com/T8-Compact-GP.html) I put it on my wide horse and it looks pretty good (in my opinion). I haven’t got a chance to ride yet or really see him move in it… but so far it looks comfy! (:

[Justmyluck]

[QUOTE=kkmrad94;7843304]
I actually ordered a Thorowgood and received it yesterday! It is a compact t8 gp. (http://www.thorowgood.com/T8-Compact-GP.html) I put it on my wide horse and it looks pretty good (in my opinion). I haven’t got a chance to ride yet or really see him move in it… but so far it looks comfy! (:[/QUOTE]

Can you post pictures of it on your horse?

[cnvh]

Just chiming in, I adore my Thorowgood too. So glad to hear the love!

[wyeoakequine]

kkmrad - I’d love to see pictures, too! I was SO thrilled when I put the T8 Jump on my horse because it just sat beautifully. And if the GP is as comfy at the Jump, you will NOT be disappointed!

[kkmrad94]

Here is a link to pictures of it on the horse. It has the Extra Wide (white bar) in there. We aren’t saddle fitting experts and think it might be able to be a little narrower. Haven’t had the time (or daylight / dry weather) to ride in it yet.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/129183622@N05/

Let me know if the link doesn’t work… I didn’t want to link one at a time!

[kkmrad94]

I was having issues with my horses shoulders getting pinched because he is just a round kinda guy. I am hoping this saddle will free up some of that space and distribute the weight better…