Anyone have one and want to share their thoughts?
Does the seat size run big or small? (I’ve heard they run a smidge larger. Or perhaps they feel that way due to a not-so-deep seat?)
Wide twist or narrow twist? I have ridden in the Thorowgood T4 all purpose and thought it felt more on the narrow side.
Gullets more generous or less generous than the Wintec gullets?
Love it or hate it?
While I can’t answer your specific questions, I can say I tried a Thorowgood the last time I was entertaining thoughts of a new saddle and I REALLY liked it. It was almost as nice to ride in as a Schleese Triumph.
Rode like a much more expensive saddle.
Unfortunately my horse wasn’t as impressed so I didn’t buy it.
To add to the Thorowgood questions, as I may be on the saddle hunt soon for my new short-backed Morgan, I am wondering if they are adjustable?
The newer models are all adjustable, I believe. The older models (like the Griffin) were not. They also have variations such as high-wither, cob, and broadback. So they’re pretty customizable.
In my opinion, Thorowgoods and Kent and Masters (the leather models) are the best saddles in that price point. That is the reason why I sell them. The gullets are comparable to the wintecs, but they saddle does fit differently than wintecs. The wintecs are more flat front to back and side to side.
You are correct about how adjustable the saddles are including adjustable girthing opinions and velcro blocks.
Feel free to call me at 612-799-3811 or email me at thesaddlefits@gmail.com for more information and I sent you a pm.
I have 3 Thorowgood saddles. 2 dressage and an AP broadback.
I bought 2 of them used after stalking the internet for quite awhile–it can be hard to find the new T4 models in the US used, because everyone loves them–and bought the other one on Smartpak, because I wanted the broadback model for my barrel-backed horse and gave up on finding it used.
In terms of quality for price, IMO they can’t be beat. I agree that they ride like a more expensive saddle.
They do run roomy due to the open seat. I have an 18" T4 high wither dressage. I bought that size to accommodate my long femur – with 17.5" saddles in most other brands, my knee ends up over the flap. However, with this saddle I actually feel like I have too much room. It is also pretty long front to back, so if you have a short-coupled horse it’s something to keep an eye on. I picked up a 17" T4 just last week, because somebody local to me was selling it for just $150 and I knew if I didn’t like it I could resell it for more. But I think I like the 17" better because it puts me closer to my horses’s center of gravity and I might end up selling the 18". With the velcro blocks, I’m able to move them just enough so that I have enough room for my long femur, too. I basically have the blocks 1/3 on the saddle and 2/3 sticking off the front 
You asked about twist. My 17" dressage saddle is a slightly older version of the T4 and I feel like it has a narrower twist than my 2 newer ones. But that could just be my imagination. My 18" feels like it has a wide twist, but maybe that’s just because it’s a big big saddle.
Love the wool flocking. Love the adjustable/interchangeable gullet plates. Love the adjustable knee blocks. Love the adjustable billet rigging. My horses go well in them.
Overall I think I could still find a better ride if I had a higher budget – say $2500 – but in the sub-$1500 range, you sure can do a lot worse. Before my thorowgoods, I’ve gone through 2 albions, 2 stubbens, and 2 sommers. All great saddles but not great for my particular needs.
I found the broadback model to be good but not great for my wide-back, almost-no-withers arab mare. She really needs a true hoop tree. But it’s a sufficient stopgap and the resale value on these is great right now.
If you buy one, make sure to get the T4, T6, or T8 – those are the ones with the adjustable gullet.
there was a blogger who I can’t find at the moment who did a comparison on the wintec vs thorowgood gullets.
she pointed out that the wintecs have a kink about 1/2 way up (the gullet is literally bent) which tends to create a pinch point behind the shoulder. The thorowgood gullets do not have that kink.
I believe the thorowgoods come in a wider range of sizes too; though I have had a hard time finding the xx wide and xxx wide.
The poster Kitt did the comparison of the gullets on her blog. Here is a link: http://saddlefitter.blogspot.com/
I do carry a lot of the sizes of gullets if you need extra wide ones.
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