Collection: Thorowgood

Thorowgood designs saddles around different horse shapes, with options for ponies, rounder cobs, higher withers and more standard builds. Changeable gullet bars, wool-flocked panels and model-specific girthing options give a saddle fitter several ways to refine the fit. The right starting point is choosing a saddle shape that suits your horse’s back and gives the rider a balanced seat.

Can a Thorowgood saddle change as my horse changes shape?
Thorowgood’s changeable gullet system allows the width at the front of the saddle to be reassessed as your horse develops muscle or changes condition. The wool-flocked panels can also be checked and adjusted by a saddle fitter. A change of gullet width does not replace a full fit check, because the saddle must still sit level and make suitable contact along your horse’s back.

Which Thorowgood gullet bar do I need?
Thorowgood uses two gullet bar types, S-Bar and R-Bar, for different tree designs. They are not interchangeable. Check the exact saddle model before ordering a replacement bar, and have the required width confirmed as part of a saddle fit.

Are Thorowgood saddles suitable for wide or round horses?
Thorowgood makes cob models designed for a rounder build, as well as a range of gullet widths. On a horse with little wither, the correct saddle shape and girthing arrangement can be as important as width when assessing stability. A wide gullet fitted into a saddle with the wrong tree or panel shape will not necessarily solve slipping or pressure.

What about a horse with high withers?
Thorowgood offers high-wither models with panels designed for that conformation. Wither clearance needs to be assessed with the saddle girthed and the rider on board, alongside the saddle’s balance and contact through the panels. Choosing a narrower gullet on its own is not a substitute for a suitable high-wither saddle shape.

Can a pony saddle fit a short back?
The Thorowgood T4 Pony Saddle listed at Saddleworld Devonport has short, wool-flocked panels designed with short-backed ponies in mind. It offers an all-round seat for young riders and uses an S-Bar gullet. Both the pony’s available saddle area and the rider’s seat size need to be checked: a saddle must provide enough room for the rider without extending too far back on the pony.

What if the saddle moves or lifts at the back?
Some Thorowgood models have adjustable girthing arrangements that can help a fitter improve stability. Movement can also indicate a problem with width, balance, panel contact or the match between the saddle and your horse’s shape. Have the complete fit assessed before trying to correct movement with a different girth or gullet bar.

At Saddleworld Devonport, we can help you identify the Thorowgood models and gullet bars worth considering for your horse. We recommend a professional fitting to confirm the final choice for both horse and rider.