[js]

Maybe look at the Thorowgood saddles, they have a model for high withers and one for broad backs, your horse kind of fits both; they also have two different types of gullet plates "R" and "S" that I think are designed for different type withers(?). I've read they tend to fit flatter backs. Also there are the Tekna Synthetic saddles, I think those are said to fit more curved backs. I had an Isabell, which I loved, but my TB didn't . I'm not crazy about the CAIR but they offer the option of flocked.

[Skyedragon]

I contacted Thorowgood and I will say that I am not impressed. I was trying to get an idea from them on which style of saddle they thought would be more appropriate, the regular or the cob. They told me that they couldn't give me advice on which of their saddles to select. WHAT?! I was not impressed.

[jn4jenny]

I contacted Thorowgood and I will say that I am not impressed. I was trying to get an idea from them on which style of saddle they thought would be more appropriate, the regular or the cob. They told me that they couldn't give me advice on which of their saddles to select. WHAT?! I was not impressed.

Like, you called Thorowgood in Britain? If so, they may have been trying to tell you (in so many words) that you'd really need a stockist, and one who was willing to look at pictures and videos, to really answer that question. Many saddle companies have been burned by folks who call and verbally describe a horse, and the saddle company makes a recommendation based on this verbal description that may or may not be accurate, and then the customer is furious when they order that saddle and it doesn't fit. And I hesitate to point out that just a few weeks ago, you were describing your horse here on COTH in ways that several posters felt did not reflect the pictures of her. For example, you claimed that she was straight-backed and several folks pointed out that she's actually moderately curvy. I'm not bringing this up to say "you were wrong" but rather to show how easy it is to mis-diagnose a saddle fit based on a verbal description only.

I hope they weren't rude to you, but I'm actually kind of impressed that they didn't BS you or try to invent an answer if they truly didn't have one. If you thought that experience was harrowing, try calling Weatherbeeta and asking a question about Wintec.

Now I'm going to look like an ass by suggesting the exact opposite re: Tekna saddles. If you wanted to have a serious chat about how those fit, I'd call The Cheshire Horse in New Hampshire OR call the distributor, English Riding Supply. Their saddle specialist, Katie, is very helpful and knows the Tekna lineup inside and out. I know because I've talked to her several times and asked some pretty esoteric questions about it (this was in coordination with Paul at VTO Saddlery, who helped me get a Tekna widened). You expressed concern on another thread about Tekna not being a "big name brand" so "accessories might be tough to find." You'll be pleased to know that Tekna is distributed by English Riding Supply, one of the biggest tack distributors in the country, so it should be no problem to get stuff drop-shipped from their warehouse to practically any vendor with an ERS account. And if your local tack shop carries anything by Pessoa, Happy Mouth, Ovation, Mountain Horse, or a myriad of other brands you've probably heard of, there's a good chance that your local tack shop has an ERS account. Or in a lot of cases, you can just order directly from ERS.

At any rate, if you were serious about figuring out which Thorowgood you needed, I would suggest you call a stockist with a fitter on staff--not the main company. That's a little like calling Ford headquarters instead of a local dealership when you want to know the difference between a Ford Fiesta and a Ford Focus. Trumbull Mountain in Vermont or Hastilow USA in Pennsylvania can both speak to the Thorowgood dressage lineup and have great saddle fitters on staff. Or if you prefer, use the online Thorowgood fitting guides. They're pretty extensive.
http://www.thorowgood.com/fitting_guide.html

I think your horse is a good candidate for the regular since she does have some moderate wither and has some moderate slope away from her spine on each side. I wouldn't go with the cob.

[Skyedragon]

I emailed them via their website. I was just trying to get a general idea based upon their templates which saddle I should go for. I keep coming back to Wintec because I know what I will be getting, and I have ridden in them before. However, I am very concerned that the trees on the wintec will be too straight of a tree for her.

I have been in contact with Action Rider Tack about the Tekna saddles. I really like the sounds of them, and I did find an A8 in a wide tree with everything for $500 shipped.

I found this stubben that I really like: http://gallopinggrape.com/18stubbenp...mwidetree.aspx I have a thing for brown dressage saddles, and it would be nice to not have to buy totally new everything. I have a lot of experiance with stubben saddles through the lesson barn as it is all that they use. I did sit one on Skye last winter that the barn I was at had in on cosignment, I don't remember what tree width it was, but the curve of the tree seemed to work for her, though I never rode in it.

[Belleaphant]

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto..._6677782_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto..._5159526_n.jpg

That was my mare's first saddle. We chose that for the adjustable tree (she was 4 when we got her) and for the durableness (we trail ride through water and such). It was a great saddle, lasted 10+ years and still going. I switched to an old english hunting saddle when I wanted to go brown. It was also when she started getting bulier/pudgy. Occasionaly I will still use it. Love that you just have to scrub it with water. If i'm wearing full champs(winter) I stick to the saddle (like really stick) many times i'll just ride without stirrups.

This is how it fits now, it fit much better in her younger years. She is a draft X... so built like a table. She has the XW tree in it. These were for my "trash the dress" wedding pics so don't mind the getup.

[Skyedragon]

Yeah I am really starting to question if wintec is the best choice and am looking into other options. The posts here and elsewhere make the tree sound a lot straighter than I originally thought.

[Skyedragon]

Well. I got my mare home today and she is HUGE. I was kind of afraid that might happen. Anyway, I am thinking I am going to have to get an extra wide saddle or hold off until spring when I can get her into regular work and get some weight off.