Need Suggestions For A Treed Gp/ap Saddle

[Casey76]

I'm having to face reality and although I wouldn't do dressage or other flat training in anything other than my fhoenix, I just can't get my balance in it for pole work/jumping, and it is too unstable for horseball; and my other rider cant get away with the fhoenix for xc as it's not forward cut enough/knee blocks are in the wrong place etc.

So I would like suggestions of a (reasonable priced), preferably synthetic alternative saddle.

The down side is there are no saddle fitters around here, and I would just have to buy a saddle and use my friends and YO's experience for the fit.

I have ridden Pinto in a Wintec 2000 which I thought was comfortable, but I don't know if the newer 'cob' saddles would be a better bet?

Any ideas?

[chapsi]

I loved my Wintec 2000, but my horse wasn't much impressed. I suspect the pannels were too narrow.
I have been using Barry Swain holistic tree saddles and I'm a convert. I have a HM/BS dressage and a KH/BS GP.
You could always buy a second hand on Ebay and have it altered by Better Saddles.  

[Cobstar]

Hi

My cob has a Thorowgood Griffin Cob GP saddle and it worked well for her and was as stable as any saddle I've had on her.  I think they now do them with the Fish fitting, which gives you a limited amount of adjustment for width.  Him indoors was well impressed as the saddle cost me under  300 GBP - the cheapest saddle I've ever had.

Given you don't have access to a saddle fitter, you do need to be a bit careful.
The Wintec synthetic with the adjustable headplates was the wrong shape for my mare.  However I have just bought a Wintec for my warmblood mare - she's only a baby, so I didn't want to spend a huge amount on a leather saddle - as the Thorowgood was the wrong shape.


 

[Cobstar]

I have been using Barry Swain holistic tree saddles and I'm a convert. I have a HM/BS dressage and a KH/BS GP.
You could always buy a second hand on Ebay and have it altered by Better Saddles.

I agree with Chapsi - these are beautiful saddles. I had a HM dressage one which my cob outgrew and I sold on and then a BS/KH GP with an Owen half panel.  

When I first had the GP - which was made to measure - it was brilliant - didn't slide sideways at all - but then my mare had colic surgery and changed shape and the saddle hasn't fitted since.  I've still got that saddle but it's an 18" and it's wider than the XW Thorowgood, so far too big for your horse.

[sarah-b]

Another thumbs up here for Kay Humphries/Barry Swain Holistic saddle, I have one and I *love* it - you can pick them up very reasonably on eBay, etc - although mine has Plastizote panels so I had to buy new which cost me more than TC did!!

[sixfootblonde]

I am selling my Barry Swain holistic tree saddle which is really nearly brand new.