WOW owners - advice on choosing your saddle please

[JACQSZOO]

Well I have finally got my backsideinto gear and have a wow saddle fitter coming out on Saturday.
I have a vague idea on what I want, but having never seen let alone sat in one of these saddles I wondered if anyone has any helpful comments or tips.
I hack quite a bit and am doing more and more flatwork and would like to do some pre-lim dressage at some point. Jumping terrifies me, but again its something I would like to have a go at sometime soon. I figured GP flaps would probably be the best to go for initially. Ideally I would like both GP and dressage flaps but money (lack of) dictates that the dressage flaps will have to wait.
With regards to seat, I like the security offered by suede type seats. Does anyone have the suede seat? What do you think of it? Has it worn well? I'm thinking something fairly deep would be good, as I said I don't plan on doing a lot of jumping (if at all

)
I have heard that wow do a comfort seat designed for ladies that suffer with errr

soreness issues. I do. Has anyone got one of these seats and does it make a difference?
Think thats about it for now. Sorry for the long ramble.
Thank you.

 

[cobdonkey]

PM Lillie07 she has just bought a WOW.

 

[flyingfeet]

I'm probably not much help!

I chose flat seat with SJ flaps, so err no problems with my bits, but then doesn't hold you in place either.

I decided against a nubuck / suede seat, as they look tired when older. So I got normal butt leather and I do not oil / clean this for grip.

If you never jump I'd get dressage flaps and a deep seat- you can do most things in them and will help with the dressage (I like the look of the giant fixed block ones)

 

[ann-jen]

I have a GP although its quite an old saddle now so I think there is a lot more choice now than when I got mine. On my GP I can alter the position of the flaps from a forward jumping position to a straight dressage position so can do both with one set of flaps. I have the medium seat - I've always been used to having a very flat seat for jumping and initially was worried about it being too deep but its fine - I can adjust my seat over the jump no problem and feel very secure in it. Mine's just a leather seat but I find it is more than secure even if Jen puts in a big jump or spooks or something so don't think I would need the suede. Its a very comfy saddle to ride in and the odd person who has ridden Jen for me has usually commented on it so its not just me that finds it that way. Have a sit in one and see for yourself.

 

[JACQSZOO]

I dont jump yet but would like to. Plus I'm not comfortable hacking in a dressage saddle, I like to hoik my stirrups up and go for a blast - a problem I have with my current saddle which is a VSD.

 

[I_A_P]

im probably not much help either.
i have dressage ginat fixed blocks...and jumping flaps as well as a deep seat.

IMO you wont know till you try..but if u are mainly gonna do dressage and not jump then i would go for a dressage... but then if your happier in a GP then go for that

 

[air78]

I've got the fixed block jumping flaps, with a deep seat. I think these flaps are great, really secure for hacking and cantering, as well as jumping and I school in them..... they would be my choice over a GP. flap.
I have them in the angled forward position all the time and use the forward stirrup position, but if you wanted to go longer for pure dressage, you could put them in the angled back postion and use the rear stirrup bar........ I think! Ask your fitter.

I've got the nubuck on the seat and blocks. I wanted suede, but worried about how it would wear, so went for the nubuck- I actually don't really like it though, it just looks dull. The wow 'normal' leather is so nice, and really grippy, I would just get that all over if I was getting another one.

Enjoy your fitting.

 

[dozzie]

Hi
I have a dressage wow and use it for everything- but dont do big jumps at the mo! I tried the GP flaps but there was too much block(?) I found the jumping flaps were more comfy. It really depends on the length of your leg! They do so many different flaps you just have to find the one you want. They do a VSD flap with velcro blocks so that might be worth a look. I think it is more like a GP than dressage. But because you can change the position you have more flexibility than with standard VSDs.

I went for Buffalo as I felt it would give some grip but not stop me moving in the saddle completely. It is absolutely fine and I have enough grip to stay on my horse! She was a bucking bronco so I needed it but since buying the wow, touch wood, she hasnt broncoed at all!! Still puts in a nasty spook and spin occasionally!

I think the comfort seat was designed for people doing a lot of long distance riding. Some people have had problems with it.


Good luck!