Wow and Solution Saddles

atlantis

atlantis

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Hi guys.

Just back from yhl and whilst there I had a look at solution saddles and wow saddles, following on from my thread here...

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?739275-Thoughts-on-saddles

My first thoughts on the solution, which I saw first, were positive. I like the idea of the trial and the fitting. They do interest free payment too, how long depending on the deposite payed.

It was a bit uncomfortable to sit on, they claimed because it is on a stable stationary saddle horse, and it feels different on every horse you put it on. I didn't feel it put me in a great position.

The wow saddle however I really liked. I found it comfortable and it put me in a better position, obviously on a static saddle horse. I'd like a treed saddle if I could and I like the ideas behind how this would work. The modular system and different shape of the tree (no points) flexibility and flair panels, with different panel options, I think are worth a go.

I'm thinking I'll try wow first. And if it goes ok try to get hold of the different parts second hand. If it goes wrong maybe think about the solution. I have to say I thought it'd be the other way round. I thought I'd like the solution better, so

Anyone with any thoughts. Also wondering what's the cheapest someone has put a second hand wow together for?

Thanks.
 
I have just purchased wow parts second hand. I had to wait a while for what I wanted. I spent £400 in total. Fits my horse fabulously, the first saddle I have had for her in 2 years as nothing would fit! Im in love with it amd would recommend to anyone. It feels a bit different to ride in, but love that I have managed to get a saddle to fit me aswell! horse is happy so that is the most important thing for me.
 
Interesting. Haven't really looked into them but do know one person who loves them. Do they seem difficult to fit, I assume you need a specialist to fit for you, then you look for the different parts for it?
 
I was really chuffed with the price lol, although its not pretty!!! I have a scratched faded black seat, mahogany brown panels, new havannah brown foregirth, new black girth straps, white string girths... And 2 headplates :-) I love the mix and match look tho!
 
Bernster said:
Interesting. Haven't really looked into them but do know one person who loves them. Do they seem difficult to fit, I assume you need a specialist to fit for you, then you look for the different parts for it?
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Yes so the fitter will come out and give me a shopping list, then I buy the bits and she comes back to put it all together and fit the flair.

They suggested it and seemed fine with the idea of it. I think they think I might buy one bit off them, which is better than nothing. I imagine as you need a specialist fitter you get return custom for fitting.

I've always been intrigued by them. I've had a flair flocked saddle before and the horse I rode in it loved it!!!
 
Imogen Rose said:
I was really chuffed with the price lol, although its not pretty!!! I have a scratched faded black seat, mahogany brown panels, new havannah brown foregirth, new black girth straps, white string girths... And 2 headplates :-) I love the mix and match look tho!
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Well as long as you're not showing I suppose it doesn't really matter lol!!!
 
I bought wow saddles for my mare and they really helped as she had back issues. You need to get a good fitter so ask for recommendations in your area. It is difficult to mix and match as there are so many different panels etc. I bought a new one (dressage) and then a secondhand one (jumping) from ebay as I was really slow changing the panels. This was from a wow fitter and she changed a few bits for me to match the one I had.
 
ozpoz said:
I'd try them both on your horse before making any decisions. : )
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Solution saddles sometimes take a bit of getting used to (it's as much in the mind as in the feel) and you will never know what they are like on a static saddle horse. If you have a fitting the saddle will be fitted to your horse, and balanced to suit you, which is the beauty of them.
 
Rowreach said:
Solution saddles sometimes take a bit of getting used to (it's as much in the mind as in the feel) and you will never know what they are like on a static saddle horse. If you have a fitting the saddle will be fitted to your horse, and balanced to suit you, which is the beauty of them.
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I can imagine that they feel very very different when on a moving horse. A bit like sitting on a bare back pad on a saddle horse lol.

I didn't expect to like the wow as much as I did. I think I'll know when I try it on her whether it's a go or not. I'm not planning on doing this that soon. I need to save a bit!!
 
I found the solution rock hard for the first couple of weeks. I think they need time to soften up. I did really want my horse to want a wow but she was having none of it at the time. The hard part I found with the wow was too much choice. I found it difficult to decide if I liked this seat or that seat etc!
 
webble said:
I tried both. I have never sat on anything as uncomfortable as a wow in my life and I used to own a wintec! I loved the solution and bought one but am now living off beans to pay for it
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Can I ask how old the saddle was. There were some terribly uncomfortable ones made around 2007, with too much filling in the seats. I sent one back to be reprofiled. I've bought another second hand last year and sold on to someone who is happy with it.
 
I was really disappointed when I looked at the solution saddles yesterday. For the money I thought they looked cheap and nasty and the stirrup bar was ridiculously far forwards and encouraged a poor position. I'm really had I didn't go for that and went for the HM Flexee.
 
KatPT said:
I was really disappointed when I looked at the solution saddles yesterday. For the money I thought they looked cheap and nasty and the stirrup bar was ridiculously far forwards and encouraged a poor position. I'm really had I didn't go for that and went for the HM Flexee.
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I expected them to be a bit nicer for the money tbh. They looked a bit ordinary.

Def trying the wow saddle first. I think for all of the research that has gone into it and the options available it stands a cjsnce of being ok, as long as Lottie liked the feel of it.

We'all see.
 
I've not tried the Wow, but did get a solution saddle, which was a very expensive mistake.

I'm back with the HM Flexee finesse which is lovely - far more reasonably priced and much more comfortable for my horse and me :)
 
ycbm said:
Can I ask how old the saddle was. There were some terribly uncomfortable ones made around 2007, with too much filling in the seats. I sent one back to be reprofiled. I've bought another second hand last year and sold on to someone who is happy with it.
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It was brand new, I had a fitter out and tried a few and they were all uncomfortable. I was switching from a Heather Moffett Vogue which was very comfortable so I had been spoilt but the wow actually left me with bruises
 
webble said:
It was brand new, I had a fitter out and tried a few and they were all uncomfortable. I was switching from a Heather Moffett Vogue which was very comfortable so I had been spoilt but the wow actually left me with bruises
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Yes, they don't suit everyone, or every horse. I'm lucky that I really like them and the giant high dressage flaps look like they were made to measure for me :)
 
KatPT said:
I was really disappointed when I looked at the solution saddles yesterday. For the money I thought they looked cheap and nasty and the stirrup bar was ridiculously far forwards and encouraged a poor position. I'm really had I didn't go for that and went for the HM Flexee.
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Agree with this, they did look cheap.

I have a Andrea Hicks on one of mine and will probably get another for the other horse. Have liked them and they are very comfortable for both but again like the wow and solution people hate or love them.
 
Slightlyconfused said:
Agree with this, they did look cheap.

I have a Andrea Hicks on one of mine and will probably get another for the other horse. Have liked them and they are very comfortable for both but again like the wow and solution people hate or love them.
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I really like the look of those saddles too. However every 'normal' trees saddle input on my mare last year she did not go well in, despite saddle fitters saying they fitted. Hence looking outside the box with the wow. I'd love to try them but I'm not sure I'd like to waste 100's of pounds getting different companies out. With the wow at least if she likes the feel of the flexible head then it feels like we stand a good chance of getting it right, with so many different options.

Who really knows though. Bloomin minefield!!
 
''Tis a minefield. Solution customer service cannot be beaten as far as my terrible saddle experiences go. Certain other mentioned maybe the worst customer service I've ever had in my life.

Trouble is they are all great til you hit a rock. ;)
 
I was the classic case ten years ago of being totally unconvinced about Solution saddles and :O at the price of them - but I got my first one about the same time, and I wouldn't use anything else now. Although I still think they are overpriced. I bought a new horse today, and I know that I can fit my saddle to him tomorrow, no problem.
 
FfionWinnie said:
''Tis a minefield. Solution customer service cannot be beaten as far as my terrible saddle experiences go. Certain other mentioned maybe the worst customer service I've ever had in my life.

Trouble is they are all great til you hit a rock. ;)
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That was very appealing Ffionwinnie. They bend over backwards for you.

Did your solution soften up after time?

I don't bloody know tbh. No money anyway so bare back pad it is until after xmas. Going to have to have a lean one this year methinks!!!
 
Yes I posted on here about my solution being rock hard. They just take a couple of weeks. I don't actually think they are cheap looking. I think they are more like old leather saddles with much tougher hide. Not as pretty as a calfskin saddle but I'm waaaay beyond caring about that. They are posting me out two hot off the design table pads to try next week for Daisy. Which is a lot better to a certain other company who told me (when their saddle did not fit) that actually she was lame, uneven, had sacroilliac and pelvic issues and a large shoulder. Apparently their saddle helpfully "diagnosed" these issues and was actually a perfect fit. Strangely my equine specialist vet and physio pronounced the horse one of the soundest they had ever seen with excellent musculature and the only she had was damage from... a saddle!
 
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FfionWinnie said:
Yes I posted on here about mine being rock hard. They just take a couple of weeks. I don't actually think they are cheap looking. I think they are more like old leather saddles with much tougher hide. Not as pretty as a calfskin saddle but I'm waaaay beyond caring about that.
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No I'm more interested in comfort tbh. I liked the wow. Didn't like the feel of the solution as much, but then it wasn't moving.

I've been spoilt by the flexee it's so soft.
 
We have 5 horses with solution saddles and I really recommend them, I don't agree that they put you in a bad position, the riders here are all novices and have beautiful balanced positions. Also everyone who rides in them finds them very comfortable (we get lots of different people coming to ride weekly).

Perhaps because they need to be balanced for each horse/rider with the various pads if you try one without the correct padding it will feel uncomfortable and/or put the leg in an incorrect position?

I do agree they are expensive but as a previous poster said, there is no need to buy a new saddle for a new horse or if your horse changes shape, just the cost of new padding and getting the fitter out if necessary.

Of course at the end of the day everyone and every horse will have different opinions so the only thing to do is try a few :)
 
atlantis said:
That was very appealing Ffionwinnie. They bend over backwards for you.

Did your solution soften up after time?

I don't bloody know tbh. No money anyway so bare back pad it is until after xmas. Going to have to have a lean one this year methinks!!!
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I have 2 solutions - a jump which does have a hard seat but my dressage has a different seat which is lovely and soft and soooo comfy. I'd definitely recommend getting someone out to trial and talk about your options
 
I'm really surprised about the comments re:quality. My native GP saddle is made of beautifully soft leather and was comfortable straight away. The flaps are made of a really thick leather, rather than a thin, stiff leather that I think people become accustomed to.

I couldn't be happier with my saddle and would never go back to a traditional saddle now that I have experienced, and understand, the benefits of a solution.
 
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