Does anyone have one? How do you like it? Thoughts and opinions appreciated on the Thorowgoods in general. Thanks!
I have a Thorowgood Griffin. I loooooove it. Comfy for me, fits my mare like a glove. Wears well over time. It’s great. 
I have the Jill Thomas and love, love it. It fits my horse and myself perfectly. It fits my little 1/2 arab most of the year until the summer fat sets in and then I change her to my Abetta western. I have a small warmblood mare that it fits year round. Don’t think I will be lucky enough for it to fit my little Welsh/warmblood cross though. Might have to look for a wider one for her. I have a friend that has the Thorogood All Purpose and just loves her saddle. We jokenly call them our sticky saddles because we have had some big spooks from our horses and stayed on with no problem. In fact, my friend has a whirl and run and didn’t move a bit in her saddle. My seat seemed alittle high at first, but very comfy. It was high enough that I was worried about feel, but found no problem. I can feel my horses back and know where her feet are, much the same as if I were riding in a close contact. I think you would be quite happy with that saddle. My saddle is one of the older models that can’t be adjusted, but I think the newer one can be.
How is the seat sizing? True fit, smaller than normal, or runs a bit big?
Thanks for the comments so far.
My saddle and my friend’s are both true fit.
[QUOTE=chebeau;3832561]
How is the seat sizing? True fit, smaller than normal, or runs a bit big?
Thanks for the comments so far.[/QUOTE]
Pretty true to fit. I wear a 17" in everything, and my Thorowgood’s a 17.
I don’t know about that model, but I have an older Thorowgood dressage saddle and a newer close contact (tecnic?)… and they are both really comfortable… although I like riding with a long leg and prefer the dressage model. Thorowgoods were originally designed for broad-backed horses, and the wide gullet is quite wide (I’d like to see the horse that needs the xxwide, actually… I’m guessing it’s an obese Clydesdale)… the saddles have very wide channels for good spine clearance, and I really like the way the close contact seems to distribute weight broadly on the horse’s back. The people seat sizes are typical. Can’t beat the prices either!
Thanks for the input so far.
I rode a good portion of last summer in a borrowed Thorowgood dressage saddle. I found it comfortable and secure. I borrowed a couple of Wintec Isabelles for comparison. The Isabelle might possibly have put me into a slightly better position as far as equitation… as long as I actually sat on it. However, I found the Isabelle also rubbed my nether regions in a way that would have forced me to do anything over 90 minutes in two-point. I and one other slim-hipped rider are the only two people at the barn who have that objection to the Isabelle, so you may not have the same issue. Anyhow, based on my experience last summer, I’d certainly consider a Thorowgood.
If anybody is interested Rick’s Heritage in PA has a couple of Jill Thomas saddles for sale.
[QUOTE=sonata;3867067]
If anybody is interested Rick’s Heritage in PA has a couple of Jill Thomas saddles for sale.[/QUOTE]All I could find were a couple of regular Thorowgood saddles.
I used to wn a Jill Thomas. LOVED LOVED LOVED it. Turns out the seat was just a little small for me, and they do not make the Jill Thomas in an 18". Too bad. I sold the saddle to a dear friend and she loves it above all others. Very comfy, holds up well, light, fits just about every horse she has.
If they would make it in an 18", I would buy another one in a heartbeat, and never look back.
So if you can find one, go for it!
Hi Diamond, sorry to take so long to get back. Go back to Rick’s Heritage’s website and click on all purpose saddles and then scroll down the list. They are listed under Thoroughgood Griffin Endurance. I doubled checked mine and it says Griffin on the flap also. They look just like mine. They have 2 on the site listed at $299.00 each. I wish one were a wide because i would buy another.
No worries, sonata! :winkgrin:
I think the one I ordered was either a wide or an XW tree. So I guess I am with you- cannot order one either!
Too bad- they are awesome.
I did talk to the UK manufacturer once last year and they said the Jill Thomas can be special ordered through Dover. I can only imagoine what the price would be. Of course, would not hurt to check into it this spring again.
The special order price Dover gave me was 529.00 plus shipping. Charlotte’s Saddlery has a 17.5 W listed for $297.00, if someone is interested.
Chebeau,
That is really tempting! Why wouldn’t you consider it?
I need a 17 inch wide. I have found a 17 in regular tree, 16.5 inch wide used, and the 17.5 from Charlotte’s. I have to sell my Stubben Wotan if I am going to pay retail at Dover and wait for it to be shipped. 
I am actually having a saddle fitter come in a week, and I am going to borrow my friend’s Jill Thomas to have it evaluated for fit. My current saddle gave Jake issues, and although my Tucker seems to fit him well, I just do not like my position in it.
It would be cool if the Thorowgood was given a passing grade. I would consider getting one again.
But I know what you mean. I am accused of going through many saddles because I have not found that “just right” one. I thought this last english saddle was “the one”- it was for me, but not for my horse. Gah!
I will keep you posted if you do not mind my mindless blabbering!
Good luck and keep us posted. I just hate buying saddles. Can’t even remember how many I have gone through to find something that fit my horses and me.
Thank goodness… someone who can relate!
I get a lot of grief for going through them. I think I am almost there with the one I have- if I can get it fitting right for Jake.
If I just would have SPENT the $4000 it takes to get just the right one, I would not be dealing with this! (But there is NO WAY hubby would ever think $4000 is a reasonable porice for a saddle. My horse did not cost that much!)
I totally understand the saddle fitting woes for both horse and rider. We won’t mention how many I’ve bought and sold. Some worked for me and not him and vice versa. I loved the County the best for me, but the Extra Wide was too big for Bosco. At this point, I’ll take whatever is comfortable for us both- English/Western/Endurance. We are presently playing in the Baretek (more than a bareback pad, but not exactly a saddle) until we find the right saddle with the right price. 
