Reviews of Wow Free Space girth?

[Pippity]

I hacked in it last night. It was a bit of a struggle to get it on, and it ended up on the third hole, where my string girth is on the fourth, but she is currently extremely fat so it'll hopefully get easier as she slims. I did find it difficult to judge when it was tight enough. Even when the tension of girth strap/buckle seemed correct, the saddle felt a bit loose. Also, I'm REALLY not impressed with the buckles. If I decide to keep it, rather than selling it on, I'll definitely be swapping those out for something not held in place with elastic bands. For the price of the girth, WOW have been incredibly cheap with the buckles.

She seemed more relaxed with more of a swing through her movement. We trotted a mile or so (largely because of THE BLOODY HORSEFLIES) and she didn't get rushed or try to go into her turbo trot. She and our hacking buddy just happily trotted alongside each other with neither trying to race.

Generally, she seemed a bit happier in it than in her string girth, but probably not £250-worth happier!

We're recording an online dressage test this afternoon, so I suspect that will be a better test.

Edit: I've just realised that my normal string girth doesn't have any variety of spring buckle, which could be why I found the WOW buckles so weird! So I suspect I'll just take off the elastic bands and use it like that. I still think elastic bands rather than proper springs is cheap, though.

 

[Petmurf]

I had the same trouble today and couldn’t do it up so gave in and used our string girth as people were waiting for me.

I tried one side first then tried the back one on each side then got so frustrated.

I ordered the size he’s currently using in his string girth and they are the same length.

I’ll try again when I don’t have friends waiting for us.

 

[ycbm]

Had your string girth stretched? Because my WOW was delivered 3 inches longer than the "same size" ordinary girth I was using to allow for the size of the pad. It should be the same length as your string one if you ordered the same length, it should be longer.
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[Ambers Echo]

Mine is the same lenth as my prolite. I am using the same holes on each side. She is definitely more relaxed, no longer rushing, steadier in the contact. I can't believe what a difference a girth can make. My RI today was saying 'gosh all your hard work is really paying off - she is looking fantastic" but it was an overnight change. Instant reaction to the new girth. I am finding it hard to believe and praying it's not some fluke. She needs a lot more leg now that she is not running off all the time so I can actually get in there and RIDE more.

 

[ycbm]

AE do you mean it measures the same or that you ordered the same length?
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[Ambers Echo]

I ordered the same length and it does up on the same holes - I assume it is actually longer if I measured it

 

[ycbm]

Yes, same, mine is 3 inches longer but I ordered the same size and it does up on the same holes.
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[Petmurf]

Had your string girth stretched? Because my WOW was delivered 3 inches longer than the "same size" ordinary girth I was using to allow for the size of the pad. It should be the same length as your string one if you ordered the same length, it should be longer.
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It could have stretched maybe but not be 3 inches I wouldn’t have thought ?‍

I’ll try it again during the week and hopefully I’ll get it done up this time

 

[Pippity]

Well, she seemed straighter and more comfortable when we were warming up, but as soon as I asked her to work, she practically threw a tantrum. She even bucked for the first time in three years.

We weren't with our usual instructor, due to her car breaking down, so it could have been that she just wasn't gelling with the stand-in instructor's methods but so far, it definitely hasn't been worth the money for a round cob.

 

[Red-1]

Had your string girth stretched? Because my WOW was delivered 3 inches longer than the "same size" ordinary girth I was using to allow for the size of the pad. It should be the same length as your string one if you ordered the same length, it should be longer.
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Mine too. It measures longer than the string one, but fits the same.

@Pippity, I would measure it and if it isn't 3 inches longer than the length you ordered, I would send it back as they will have sent the wrong one.

 

[Fieldlife]

I think mine is LONGER (on higher holes) than the girth I was using before of same 30 inches.

We won our novice BD music today with 68.6% so I’m happy with girth. ?

I’ve ridden in it 3 times, 1 lazy goat with session and good flatwork rides!

 

[Pippity]

Mine too. It measures longer than the string one, but fits the same.

@Pippity, I would measure it and if it isn't 3 inches longer than the length you ordered, I would send it back as they will have sent the wrong one.

I'd imagine my string girth has stretched a bit. It's been washed a couple of times and I usually dry it with some books hanging off the end to stop it shrinking. The wow was easier to put on today, even with her being fresh from the field with associated grass belly, so I suspect she was puffing herself out a bit less.

Edit: I'd also taken off the elastic bands, so was fighting less with the buckles.

 

[Fieldlife]

I'd imagine my string girth has stretched a bit. It's been washed a couple of times and I usually dry it with some books hanging off the end to stop it shrinking. The wow was easier to put on today, even with her being fresh from the field with associated grass belly, so I suspect she was puffing herself out a bit less.

Edit: I'd also taken off the elastic bands, so was fighting less with the buckles.

I’m confused. I find the auto close on the wow girth very helpful. How are you finding it makes it harder to do up?

 

[Ambers Echo]

I’m confused. I find the auto close on the wow girth very helpful. How are you finding it makes it harder to do up?

Me too. Much easier. Maybe they come with different types?

 

[Pippity]

I’m confused. I find the auto close on the wow girth very helpful. How are you finding it makes it harder to do up?

I found it pushed the prong to one side. Throw in the fact that I was struggling to get the strap through the buckle at all (because she's a fatty) and it was just another barrier. Also, I'm not used to auto-closing buckles. I've been using a string girth without them for two or three years.

 

[Ambers Echo]

Ok I’m now totally sold on this girth. I evented Lottie today. 6th full ODE of the season. Dressage Scores have been consistently around 40. And scores have also been very consistent - pretty much 6s for everything. Comments have also always been ‘good paces, capable horse but tense, rushing, hard against the hand’. And we have been near the bottom of the rankings after dressage.

then today - 34.3. Again super consistent but instead of all 6’s it’s now all 6.5’s with the odd 7. Much higher up the rankings compared to other riders. And comments were completely different: ‘willing and obedient horse’. Also I normally have to really keep her under wraps and I struggle to put my leg on. But the comments said ‘ride more actively forward for higher marks!’ Which is what I’ve been feeling in training- I can get my leg on more. I didn’t dare today as this feeling of a horse waiting and listening is all so new. But it feels like we have taken a big step forward with more to come.

I feel guilty I’ve been causing discomfort all this time. For those trying to decide about the girth - I knew she hated being girthed and I know her pecs get tight. So all I wanted to do was make her more comfy. If your horse is already comfy then it may not make a difference. But for me it’s a total game changer. Very happy.

 

[ycbm]

I feel guilty I’ve been causing discomfort all this time.

Ditto.

Thrilled it's worked for you. I am hoping that WOW have not tied the patent down so tight on this that other girths with a space at the side aren't able to come into the market. So many horses must want them.

Well done with the score and comments!

 

[milliepops]

I don't think they can have done, it's a similar idea to the prestige donut one which has a large pad with the girth strap floating over the top - haven't used one myself but the pics/vids they made at the time showed a similar type of gap between horse and strap. probably less pronounced as i think the prestige pad is leather so will flex a bit more.

 

[Pippity]

Hmm. I didn't think it had made much difference, so I popped her back in her string girth to hack today, preparatory to selling on my wow. But she was a lot less forward and a lot spookier than when hacking in the wow. Hmm. I think I'll have a couple of lessons with my regular instructor before making a decision on whether to keep it or not.

 

[scats]

I’m in the market for a new girth, so have taken a punt and ordered one of these. Millie is the weirdest shaped horse I’ve ever met so no idea if it will even work how it should on her, but figured I can sell it on and hopefully not make too much of a loss. Annoyingly her and Pol are different sizes so won’t be able to try on both (and draw the line at buying 2!)

I’m sceptical by nature and well aware of the placebo effect that can occur when people try something new, but I’ll give it a go and report back for those with unconventionally shaped types, as it might be useful.

 

[ycbm]

3 weeks in and I can confirm that the changes have stayed. There is still a remarkable difference in his walk from before you even get on. Other big changes too, but that one's the biggest.

He's been ill with something, and understandably grouchy, but the walk was still a giveaway that his girth had been restricting him and now wasn't. I won't be going back to an ordinary girth on him or on any other horse in future.
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[SEL]

I have to confess I was prepared to be underwhelmed when I got one for baby cob, but he doesn't like his Harry Dabbs and its a drop in the ocean given he's getting a new saddle. I've got a dressage H-girth and my big mare hates it so was fully expecting to be offering this up to ebay.

Rode in the field this morning because it was windy, every heavy lorry was diverting down the road to avoid temporary lights and he is just 4 and if he didn't like it I'd rather be dumped at home!

He's usually got a bit of an upside down neck with his ears up your nostrils when you first start working in. Well today we had stretching down. Not completely relaxed as we were having to avoid huge concrete divots and rabbit holes (seriously need rain) but I tried a little trot on the nicer ground and he settled into a contact straight away. Then we had stretchy trot. We never get stretchy trot.

So it will be tried again tomorrow. I was cursing it fiddling around putting it on because I have a sore neck and kept tweaking it trying to get that pad into the middle, but if the pony carries on this way then its a keeper

ETA I will check measurements given the rest of the thread because it felt a little on the small side.

 

[Ambers Echo]

I've buggered my back so today my RI rode instead of me. She said that there were many changes - more settled in the contact, waiting, not rushing. But the biggest is that when she gives the rein forward Lottie stretches down. And that is new.

 

[Fieldlife]

I’ve realised the silver dots can move relative to the middle bit, so aren’t a reliable gauge of straightness.

My saddler liked the girth. And saddle seems less inclined to move to right (both horse and I tend to push it that way!)

 

[scats]

Is it going to be a pain to fit?

 

[ycbm]

Is it going to be a pain to fit?

Depends what you mean by a pain. It needs to be put on properly, one hole each side. You can't do what I used to do, slam it up to the "right" hole one side then do the other side.

I find it a fiddle but only because I've got used to being very lazy!
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[scats]

Depends what you mean by a pain. It needs to be put on properly, one hole each side. You can't do what I used to do, slam it up to the "right" hole one side then do the other side.

I find it a fiddle but only because I've got used to being very lazy!
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Ah that’s ok then as I always do mine hole at a time each side.

 

[JGC]

I am going to start praying that my saddle fitter can adapt my current saddles as I really want to try this girth! Two weeks and counting.

And also hoping that I can get a hold of one in Europe.

 

[AandK]

Following this with interest... I think my boy would be a good candidate for one of these, I will definitely get him one IF he comes back into work after his recent issues.

Thanks to all who have shared your experiences!

 

[ycbm]

I am going to start praying that my saddle fitter can adapt my current saddles as I really want to try this girth! Two weeks and counting.

And also hoping that I can get a hold of one in Europe.

I don't understand why you would need to adapt any saddle that has at least 2 girth straps? I'm sure they'll ship to Europe but if not I'd be happy to forward it on to you.
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