Saddles, saddles and more saddles...

I_A_P

I_A_P

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29 March 2005
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Bit stuck with what to do at the moment.

Have my WOW with 2 sets of flaps which i havent had "problems" with at all. Love the concept and definatly been good on the horses backs.

One thing i have always felt is not quite "right " in the dressage version...have always put it down to me not being used to a dressage saddle and thinking i would get used to it. I have had it for about 18mnths now though - so plenty of time!
My instructor rode in it the first time and was like "how do you get your leg on?" and me not really knowing any different didn't think much of it.

However i have been leant her Amerigo to just play around with and see if i feel a difference and i do. I sit much stiller and am just far more "into it" than mine - probably partly as my WOW is a size 2 as i use it for jumping as well. I just feel so much closer to Digby and like i can get my legs around him more...which is proved as i have my stirrups on the same hole and they just wrap around and i rode so much longer.

Thing is...i was always contemplating gettng 2 WOWs...therefore buying an extra seat and panels so that i could have one jumping and one dressage wow..been waiitng for them to come on ebay but havent as yet...and they are so expensive to buy new!

I am now not sure what to do...im half thinking i would like a different dressage saddle now...but im not 100%.

Also if i was to get another dressage whether i would keep a WOW to jump in i am not sure...as tbh i would need another seat eventually anyway...but could sell the other parts i have.

Also would it be pointless as the whole point of the WOW is the concept...then if i am using a traditional saddle will that rule out any good im doing with the WOW (if that makes sense?)

I am not really sure what to do at the moment....wondered if anyone had any initial thoughts/suggestions?
 
This is the reason I havn't bought a Wow, I just don't see how you can use one seat for both dressage and jumping and it be as effective as individual saddles for each. Personally if I were in your situation I would get a 'normal' dressage saddle for now - obviously one that fits well so as not to cause any problems - and if you really want to then get a Wow dressage with the different seat when you have the cash to do so. Many horses are ridden in non-Wow saddles and survive perfectly well!

I've just taken the plunge and bought my first dressage saddle, it arrives on Tuesday, and will be buying a nice jumping saddle soon too. For what I will end up spending I know I could probably get Wow but i think I'd rather have two individually designed specialist saddles than one that is supposed to do both.

Good Luck!
 
Thats the thing my saddle is perfectly set for a dressage version...it has the deep seat etc. So im thinking thats as good as it will get.

I have always been fine with the deep seat for jumping (with the jumping flaps) with my last horse but with Digby who has a bigger jump i had decided i would want something flatter...but was prepared to wait until i could afford it.
 
Put the 'concept' to one side for a minute. If you prefer the feel of your instructors saddle then the odds are that there will be another one out there that suits you even better -this one has just given you a feel for what is different. You need to sit in lots so you know what you like. I sat on a WOW at YHL and it felt like so much saddle underneath me. I also bet if you sat in a single flap jump saddle on Digby you would prefer that too.......
I initially liked the 'concept' of the WOWs but the more I see and hear the more I wonder if they are not just a compromise.....
 
I know...its so hard though....the other thing is my WOW fitter is brilliant...thats another reason why i went for WOW( all my local saddlers are useless!) and i know with the WOW that i am getting a good fit and when he changes as he most probably will i can just adjust it.

My jumping saddle i seem to get on fine with-i have ridden in a couple of other jumping saddles and they all feel nice too...it just seems the dressage that i find harder.
 
I would get a pure dressage saddle and get a flatter seat for your Wow when you have the money/one comes up. Forget the concept, name etc etc, you have a saddle whic suits you jumping (except one minor detail which is easily solved!) but doesnt dressage, so get one that does!!
 
I would agree with ISZ and others on this, I am another who is doubtful that one seat can do two jobs. Concept sounds good but not convinced it works (similar concept was tried by a big name saddle maker using changeable knee rolls, how many of those do you see now!). Dont stick with the WOW just because the fitter is good if the saddle is not right for you. I would also advise sitting on as many other dressage saddles as you can before making any decision.
 
fwiw, my master saddler, who fits and sells WOWs as well as many other makes, told me that in his opinion the WOW dressage isn't quite right, but the jump ones are.
i'd get a different make of dressage saddle, and stick to your wow for jumping.
 
Thanks everyone....i think i will go down that route...i am told that the best person local to me is Liz from the saddlers at stowmarket? is this right?

Then i will try to swap my deep seat wow and flaps etc and buy a xc seat....see how that goes..
 
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