People with WOW saddles with more than 1 set of flaps

ann-jen

ann-jen

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How irritating do you find it changing them over for jumping vs flat?
I'm getting my fitter out next week to check the fit and I've asked her to bring some dressage flaps for me to try. I currently just have jump flaps and do dressage in these as well as jump.
I sat in the fixed block dressage flaps at Bramham and really liked them. I'm lucky enough to be able to afford to buy some but am a bit worried that I'll find it too much of a faff to keep changing the flaps over depending on what I'm doing and the decadent side of me is considering getting a whole second saddle.
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So for those of you that only have one saddle but more than 1 set of flaps - how irritating or not is it? Is it going to be worth parting with all that extra cash if it only takes a few minutes to change them over? I'd be interested in anyone's views.
 
It took me ages to take the flaps off so I bought a whole saddle! I just ended up swearing lots. It didnt matter how often I did it, I couldnt do it quickly. So I decided to buy another saddle. I just didnt want to be changing flaps at an event with all the other stresses!
But I am not very dexterous. So could be the reason! I just know i would be even less dexterous at a ODE!



Why not see how long it takes you to take the flaps off and put them on again?
 
Personally I wouldn't have a WOW saddle given me. Saddles OK if you can find a decent fitter but there aren't many about probably because you can become one after very little or no training.
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For me, WOW saddles require too much maintenance and company owners not interested if there is a problem once they've had initial sale
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To be honest i started off with it taking about 8mins or so- and got it down to 5 mins when you get used to it is fine.

I only have one complete saddle now but thats nothing to do with sapping and changing just the fact the DR version did not suit Digby as well as my last horse.
 
I think the main problem for me is I often work until 8pm and even though I go straight to the yard from work time is very much at a premium. I would love to get the dressage flaps but think realistically I might find it too much hassle to fiddle on changing them from flat to jumping etc when I've finished work so late. I have to say I'm swaying more towards getting a brand new saddle
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I'm starting to jump Jenny again now and so the dressage is going to be taking a back seat soon anyway so I've basically got to decide whether its worth spending that sort of money on what is effectively our 2nd discipline.
Decisions decisions....
 
I just found i had to plan- or just try and work it so that you ride in the same flaps for a few days (i found i rarely changed mine more than once a week once i got organised)

it is easier having two though
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Yes I've been thinking it over and think that if had the 2 sets of flaps I'd probably just end up riding in the jump flaps all week and then only putting the dressage ones on for comps and lessons and I'm not sure its worth it for that. I know it sounds daft but its almost better value for me to spend the money on a whole saddle instead and then know I'd definitely use it all the time.
I think I'll make a decision when the fitter comes, based on how much better it feels to ride in some (or not as the case may be) and then go from there.
 
I have dressage flaps but tend to keep them for best - I mainly use my VSD flaps as you can change the angle & use them for jumping, schooling, hacking etc. I do change the flaps but it is a 10 minute job in good light. My position is much better using the dresage flaps but if horse is being spooky the VSD is better.
Someone said that Wow / first thought were not supportive - I have found them to be extreemly helpful, prompt, reliable and generous and very concerned for both horse & rider. What more can you ask for? Good luck
 
I've always found FTE helpful too - I have had a few niggly problems go wrong with my saddle over the years but they've always sorted them out promptly and efficiently. I didn't make it that clear in my first post that my jump saddle is a wow although I know a few people knew what I meant - I wasn't being very clear when I read it back - so I'm totally happy with wow as a product and its really whether I'm going to find fiddling on with the flaps a pain. I think like air 78 I would probably end up riding in the jump saddle 90% of the time and then only use the dressage flaps for shows or lessons and so it probably would defeat the object a bit. I've decided when the fitter comes that it will really boil down to how I like them to ride in on the trial and if I do I think I'm going to go for a whole new saddle (eek!) but I'm hoping the fitter will take my old GP flaps in part-ex as I won't have a use for them if I then have a dressage and jump saddle so it might knock a bit off the price anyway.
 
Eli and Ann-Jen I'm pleased you find FTE helpful - to me that's how companies should be when something goes wrong
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Unfortunately, I had cause to get in touch with The Master Saddlers Association and ended up selling my saddle.
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Depends on the saddle as to how difficult the flaps are to change I think. Theoretically it is very quick, but while flaps are new they can be fiddly. I also had terrible trouble with the screws. The screw heads kept wearing out and I almost had to send the saddle back to them to get the flaps changed as they were stuck. I have no idea why they used such stupid screw heads which wear out so quickly - stright slotted screws would be very easy to use but these screws are crap.
 
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