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English saddle for a high withered TB

8K views 13 replies 9 participants last post by  girl_on_black_pony 
#1 ·
I need help finding a close contact saddle that can fit a high withered TB. I wanted to try the Wintec close contact but I wasn't sure it fit her withers. I just do local shows so I don't think having synthetic will be a problem. My budget is $600. Preferably this would include leathers, a bridle and a breastplate. I know I can get some good deals on ebay. So if there are good saddles more than $600 I'm still interested.
 
#4 ·
go to your local tack store and ask to try some used ones. wintec's are good, but i've found the tree breaks easier. also, even with the adjustable tree it didn't fit my horse's back that well. we got a used barnsby i'm not sure how much it was but it's reallly comfortable.
 
#5 ·
Perhaps their horses weren't high withered and that is why they didn't sit correctly. I've found those saddles fit a high withered horse best, but not many others. They didn't fit my average withered quarter horse, or my wide backed Morgan without a breastplate but it fit Dixie like a glove, and she has high thoroughbred withers. If you can find one on trail, it wouldn't hurt to try it at least.
 
#8 ·
blossom856 said:
I'm not in a big hurry. I need a narrow tree that will accommodate a high wither and no smaller than a 17in, but I'd prefer an 18.
Going to be tricky to find. Not many narrow trees around with that size of seat. Something that will probably have to be custom made. If you go with used you will probably have to settle with a large tree.

eBay has 2 narrow treed saddles but they are both smaller size seats, not the size 18 you want. On the other hand lots of 18 sized seat but the saddles have larger trees.
 
#9 ·
so far the best saddles that fit high withered horses are from Thornhill. I have a Thornhill ProAm and it has fit both of my high withered TB's amazingly not to mention one of them is built like a warmblood and he had broken withers when he was little so it was very important to find a saddle that fit correctly and comfortably on him and they work great. The close contact saddles are not too expensive, so maybe you should take a look at those.
 
#11 ·
if you weren't sure if the wintec fit or not, than myb e you could ask somebody else so there can be multiple opinions? in the meantime, you could simply use a witherpad (puffpad) to more or less cushion the horse's withers more under the saddle. i don't know how experienced you are with horses, but just make sure to pull up both pads into the pommel of the saddle before you tighten the girth.D
 
#12 ·
check out Thorowgood saddles. Dover Saddlery carries them and you can sometimes find them on ebay. I believe they come in 18". I have a 17 1/2" and it's a little roomier than my Courbette 17 1/2". They sell new for about $550 I think.

Thorowgood makes a saddle specifically for high withered horses. The T6 looks like a leather saddle, and I believe you can get it in close contact. They also have the adjustable gullet change system as well as inserts to fine tune the fit just a hair.
The under panels on the high wither saddle are a little wider, a little further apart than a standard saddle, to give the spine more clearance.
I got a high wither old Thorowgood for my mare, and she has been much more relaxed under saddle, no more tantrums, or crabby faces. My saddler adjusted my old saddle numerous times, said it fit her great, but I could tell my mare didn't think the same as he did.

http://www.thorowgood.com/
click on United Kingdom, then click on Product Range. then you can read about the T6, T4, Maxum, and the accessories.
 
#13 ·
added note: my Thorowgood is not that old, as might have implied. It's a fixed-width T4, high wither, which Dover was selling last year for about $450. I bought it used on craigslist for $300, in new condition, barely used.
It looks like the T6 doesn't come in high wither close contact, only a GP model is high withered. Also the T4 model, which costs less.
Thorowgoods have a lifetime guarantee on the tree, and with the gullet change kit the saddle may fit your next horse too!
 
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