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Kent and Masters VS Thorowgood - what are the differences?

Kent and Masters VS Thorowgood - what are the differences?

By Jade | December 21, 2020

Kent and Masters or Thorowgood?

Kent and Masters, and Thorowgood are an extremely popular British manufacturer. Both brands are from the same family, and as such have similar model variances. The main difference between Kent and Masters Vs Thorowgood is the material the saddles are made from which also impacts the price of the saddles.

Are they adjustable?

Yes.
All Kent and Masters saddles, and the latest models of Thorowgood including the T4 and T8 range are adjustable through altering the gullet.

Some older models of Thorowgood are not adjustable so make sure if you are looking to purchase an adjustable saddle, you get the T4 or T8 range.

What are the main differences?

Thorowgood T4 Saddles are synthetic, with a suede effect seat.

Thorowgood T8 Saddles are part synthetic and part leather for a more luxurious feel (leather seat and knee rolls).

Kent & Masters are fully leather saddles.

What type of horses do they suit?

Both Kent and Masters, and Thorowgood offer a variety of models to suit a range of horses, from low-withered, flat backed horses, through to those with high withers.

Gullet bars are available from Narrow-Medium, through to Extra Wide-Extra Extra Wide in the R-bars, and from Narrow-Medium through to Extra Extra Wide in the S-bars.

Which saddles use which bars?

R-bars fit high-headed trees with long points and a round cantle.
S-bars fit lower headed trees with shorter points and a square cantle (excluding the s-series jump, which takes an R-bar despite having a square cantle).

What models are available?

Cob GP or Dressage

(Left to right: T4 Cob GP, T4 Cob Dressage)

(Left to right: T8 Cob GP, T8 Dressage Low Profile, T8 Dressage with surface mounted blocks Low Profile)

(Left to right: Cob GP, Original Flat-Back GP, Compact GP Low Profile)

(Left to right: S-Series Low Wither GP, S-Series Moveable Block Low Profile, S-Series Dressage surface block Low Profile)

High Wither GP or Dressage

(Left to right: High Wither Dressage, High Wither Compact GP, High Wither GP)

(Left to right: High Wither Movable block Dressage, High Wither Dressage with surface mounted blocks, High Wither Compact GP, High Wither GP)

Left to right: High Wither Original Dressage, High Wither S-Series Dressage with moveable block, High Wither S-Series Dressage with surface block)

(Left to right: High Wither Universal GP, High Wither Compact GP, High Wither Original GP)

Standard Wither GP, Jump or Dressage

(Left to right: Dressage, Compact GP, Original GP)

(Left to right: Moveable block Dressage, Dressage with surface mounted blocks, Compact GP)

(Left to right: Original GP, Anatomic GP, Jump)

(Left to right: Original Dressage, S-Series Dressage with moveable block, S-Series Dressage with surface block)

(Left to Right: Compact GP, Universal GP, Original GP, S-Series Jump)

Pony GP or Jump

(Left to right: T4 Pony GP, T8 Pony Jump)

(Left to right: Pony Club GP, Pony Club Long Leg GP, S-Series Pony Jump)

Which one is better quality?

When looking for a new saddle you may ask Kent and Masters vs Thorowgood? Which one is right for you will depend on what you are looking for in a saddle. The Kent & Masters saddles are leather, so are technically the 'better quality' saddle, but they do require more cleaning/conditioning to maintain the quality of the leather. The T8, being part leather, is easier to look after, therefore if not looked after would last longer than a Kent & Masters which is not looked after. The T4 is fully synthetic, so minimal care is required, however the suede effect seat and knee rolls are prone to wear and bobbling.