Any advice? Wow saddle problems..

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chantypanty

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I bought a wow saddle 3 months ago, after waiting 3 months for an appointment with the fitter and another several weeks for my saddle to be ready!

My horse moved well in it at first but i found it put me in a horrible position (leaning back, legs forward). Even the fitter noticed this. I thought it was my cr*p riding and have been feeling awful about my riding since i got this saddle.
The fitter came out for free a few weeks later and tried to rectify this (she obviously felt guilty that she had left me in such a bad position before) it felt a bit better at first but still no where near correct.

I have had loads of lessons where i have fought to get myself in a decent position. My trainer agrees that i'm literally having to fight against the saddle to get in any sort of decent position.

I had my back lady to look at my horse and saddle yesterday and she said although the saddle fits him he's stiff. This has been caused by it tipping me in such a strange position.

I've got my trainer and a couple of friends to try it out and they all have the same problem. When i ride in someone elses saddle i actually feel like i can ride!!

Anyway, does any one have any idea how i can go about getting a refund/them to remake me a saddle?

I am obviously not willing to pay for them to come out again.
I'm going to try ringing wow today but i have heard they're hard to get in contact with.

Any ideas on what to say if i do get through, or what i should do if i can't get in contact with them?

I would be very greatful for any input anyone has.
Scrambled egg on toast for whoever got this far
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I have heard of a few people who have had problems with WOWs, and although I have never ridden in one, I have always been a little wary of them.

I really don't know what to suggest; If it can be proved that it is the saddle that is causing the horses stiffness, then the company may give you a refund. However, if this cannot be proved, I can't really see a way for you to get money back, since it is personal preferance that means you don't like the saddle not a fault. Don't take that the wrong way, its the only way of phrasing it that I could think of; there isn't an actual problem with the saddle other than that it makes it difficult for you to ride; I can't see you getting the companies help, since that is not strictly their fault.
 
I think they are like riding in massive sanitary towels. I also would love scrambled egg on toast thanks!
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sorry I'm not much help! Good luck xx
 
The horse I used to share had a wow saddle and I never felt balanced in it. In fairness balance is like blancmange on most saddles but I really noticed my position in the wow.

I had a slightly different problem in that it made me tip forward a lot.

Silly question, but there are two different stirrup positions - have you tried swopping them? Sorry I am sure you have.

I think that the saddle has to be fit for purpose and if it is not then you should be able to get a refund. Part of the saddles purpose should be surely that it fits you as well as the horse?

I would be telephoning wow and saying that it is not fit for purpose and you need a refund.
 
Wow will tell you to go back to the fitter, because they are the retailer, unless you actually had someone come out from the place near Canterbury. Don't settle for this, but act quickly and register your complaint. The point of these saddles is supposed to be that they are tailored to fit the horse and the rider.
I hope I am wrong, but I have heard of a lot of trouble with these saddles, particularly when the customer is unhappy and wants a full refund. For which reason, maybe you could keep us posted on how you get on? I'd love to be able to hear a good news story.
 
I have two Wow saddles and love them BUT they must be fitted correctly - which I don't think yours is.

One thing that I have noticed about them is that when they are right they are super comfortable and when they are wrong they are horrendous.

My saddle fitter fitted my second one incorrectly at first(wrong type of panels for my horse) I couldn't believe how horrible it felt. As soon as it was corrected it was lovely.

Personally I would contact your saddle fitter and say that you are really not happy. They should not charge you for another call out when they have sold you an ill fitting saddle. If you have no joy from them I would contact Wow direct, I have not really had any problems contacting them direct.

Remember that the saddle must be fitted to you as well as to the horse.
 
It sounds like you need to move your stirrups on to the rear position (if they aren't already) and that the saddle needs more air in the back to balance it.

Another senario might be that the head plate size is too narrow (or too much air in the front, making the fit narrow) which is causing the saddle to sit high in front.

Can you post some pics of the saddle girthed up, with the horse standing square, and with you on board? You need to speak to your fitter about your issues, but it would help if you could pin point the area's you are unhappy with
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Thank you everyone for such a quick reply.
I phoned wow and they were no help.. you'd think they'd be bothered if a customer is unhappy with their product and one of their reccomended saddlers wouldn't you??

So i phoned the fitter and she has agreed to give me part of the money back.
I settled for this seeing as i want it sorted quickly so i can start.
Hopefully if all goes to plan tomorrow she will pick it up and give me the money! Just hoping it all goes to plan now.

Air78 and A1fie - I've tried my stirrups in both positions and no luck. I don't have any photos of him standing in it but will try and get one tomorrow if the lady dosn't show up to take it.
You can see when you put it on him that it will obviously tip the rider back though.
 
Well, I'm afraid that is now the 5th example I've heard of a WOW saddle that has never been right, WOW not being interested, and the buyer ending up losing money. I've pm'd with two members here who have had similar experiences, and a friend of mine had this with TWO WOW saddles fitted for her two horses.
When I meet any friends considering buying a WOW I generally give them my mate's email address.
I think it is disgraceful that you should lose money on a saddle that has never been right, particularly when the fitter could see a problem from day 1 and blamed it on your riding.
 
Saddles in the UK are generally hand made and can be made with quite glaring faults. It sounds as if yours might be one of these, so your saddler should return it to the makers for a check and, if faulty, an exchange. This should cost you nothing.
 
Sorry to hear you've had problems wih your saddle. I have one and it's never done anything but make me sit up, relax my hip and allow Star to move underneath it.

Hope you get sorted.
 
Its a shame you gave in re your WOW saddle as they obviously have problems. My friend bought one as hasnt been 100% happy with the fit of it, and is now having serious problems with WOW as the head plate broke while she was doing a drop jump at a 3 day event. This could have been serious had she not been wearing a 5 point breast plate. The horse has had to have physio and is now afraid to jump and WOW KNEW THAT THEY HAD THESE FAULTY SADDLES ON THE MARKET. Wow have advised her that there was a problem and have supplied a new head plate but she is trying to get her lost expenses back off WOW and get the saddle refitted but they are not being very friendly or understanding with her. They have offered to buy the saddle back at a 75% value only or they have offered her to keep the saddle and have £250 compensation....it isint compensation that she wants, all she wants is a saddle that fits, is comfy for the horse and her lost expenses due to the failure of the saddle. I think that she should have her full money back for the saddle and also her lost 3 day event entry fee, stabling costs, and diesel as she was lying in 2nd place and also the physio costs that her horse has incurred.
 
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