WOW Saddle Owners

lillie07

lillie07

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22 August 2006
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Lots of questions... Sorry!!

I have noticed that a few of the First Thought Saddlers are not Master Saddlers, was the person you used a master saddler and would you consider using one who is'nt?

How much is the fitting and is this deducted from the saddle price if you buy one?

Am I right in thinking the saddle with one set of flaps is about £1600?

Can anybody recommend a good saddler in Surrey? Or give feedback on

Louise Howson?
Jill Tremmil?
Susan Slade?
Karen Lewis?

Has anybody had any issues with a WOW that would put them off buying another?

Thanks

Becca
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I was going to try a WOW but they wouldn't come out to see me as the person who designs the saddle is the fitter and covers the Kent area. I was expected to box down to them (an hours drive) for a fitting. If not they said they had a girl who was just being trained who could come out.

As you rightly pointed out they are not qualified saddle fitters and I wasn't happy at the idea of an untrained person practicing on my horse for a VERY expensive saddle.

A friend of a friend was going to try a WOW oop north but the saddle fitter didn't turn up on the day nor did they ring to say they weren't coming.

Can't remember who but there is a recent post with someone having a problem with the head plate on their saddle, worth doing a search to find it.

As you can tell I'm not WOW's greatest fan! I figure if I'm spending that much money and they can't be bothered with customer service before they have even sold me the saddle, what on earth would they be like if I had a problem?
 
Wow saddles are quite interesting - you have the ability to change almost any part of the saddle to the required fit.

My experience has been with teething problems (went through 4 seat panel styles before finding the right one). So you are very reliant on your saddle fitter. Its important that you get someone you like and that is going to provide the service.

I used Steph Guant, who has had to trek out to me on numerous occasions, pressure test the saddle and generally put up with me harassing her.

I had another master saddler out first, who wouldn't let me try the flaps I wanted and therefore I didn't want to part with the cash before trying the saddle (obviously).

I would say that riding on these saddles is vital, so you need to have good facilities to try the saddle. You really need an arena.

In Pootler's case I would have taken the horse to the saddler as you would have got free use of the facilities if nothing else!

As for being apprehensive about them not being master saddlers, I can see the comfort in the qualification, but have met many that poorly fit saddles and have a tendency to rob customers blind.....
 
Facilities arnt a problem for us as we have a full arena, as it is for my youngster I would rather do it at home where he is settled. I also want to try lots of different combinations although I am fairly sure I know what I want.

I might give Steph Guant a call, what area does she nornally cover?

I agree with what you are saying about Master Saddlers too, there are a few round here who are completely useless rip off merchants but I would be concerned about what is effectively a sales rep fitting my horses saddle- at least if they are a Master Saddler and a WOW fitter I get the best of both worlds if you see what I mean! I would however be happy going off personal experience and a good reputation.

Thanks for you help
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Have used Louise Howson for non-WOW saddles and always found her very helpful and professional. As far as I know only comes to you so no problem with boxing horse over.
 
It was me that was having problems with the headplate but please don't let that put you off trying one of these saddles. I basically bought one of the new light weight headplates and I wasn't sure I had fitted it properly but I've spoken to WOW and everything seems fine. Like all new things its a bit stiff to put on and off but I seem to have managed.
I've had my saddle for about 3 years and love it - its made a massive difference to my horse and is so comfortable. My advice is to try one and see for your self. My fitter has a saddle fitting qualifiction only but her husband is a master saddler so between them they are pretty knowledgable.
Good Luck.
AJ
 
I use Louise Howson and would totally recommend her. She will spend a good couple of hours helping you to find the right combination. She keeps up to date with the product but isnt pushy. I had a different fitter first who didnt know the product and just kept telling me to ring wow if I had a problem. Hence I went to Louise instead. I have to pay quite a lot to get her out as she comes a long way for me (actually out of her normal area) but I think she is worth it.
 
i dont know any of those saddlers personally so cant coment.

however after having various "master saddlers" our previously i have never had a god fitting previously at all...they have always tryed to fob me off with saddles far too narrow....or far too small. after all the hullaballo i have had with people who call themselves saddle fitters i can honestly say that my wow saddle fitter was better than any of them; helped by the easiness of adjusting them. i am very confident that mine fits and if something did need tweaking i could get it properly sorted.
 
I've had other similar saddles fitted by someone who wasn't a true saddle fitter - just a sales rep - and it certainly didn't fit the pony. I had one WOW person come out who wasn't impressive but was later told (by another WOW fitter) that they 'weren't a fully accredited fitter'. They were on the site, so I'm not sure how you guage these things. If you have someone who fits other saddles *and* WOW, then I'd go for them over the sales-trained fitters.

seem like a good saddle. If I ever sort out the various other issues with Pony, I'll get one

E
 
QR as no one else has really I will put in the negative views. Although a lot of people think they are fantastic please ride in it a bit first. I really don't like them to ride in at all, (although only ridden in dressage not GP or XC) and although was fitted to owners horse later spoke to the fitter who was at badders who said that actually the saddle 'should' be a perfect fit for me. So yes I personally don't get on with them! Also I know of a horse who physically cannot have a WOW fitted to him. He isn't a bizarre shape in my opinion in the slightest but whatever is done by a very reputable WOW fitter it wont fit!

oww yeah and if anyone after a 2nd hand WOW you might wan't to visit the WOW stand at Badders
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