Wow saddles/flair for sore back

[djb]

I am having continual problems with my horse getting a sore back. In the past 12 months I have had 2 new saddles professionally fitted for him - the first we had for 6 months but was causing problems with bucking, not going forward - physio diagnosed a sore back. Saddle was restuffed and then altered again by another saddler as it seemed to "bridge".
Then I gave up on that one and bought another - I have had this one a month - physio came yesterday and although he is going much better his back is still sore underneath the middle to back of the saddle.
I can't afford to keep buying new saddles! It has been suggested that I have flair put in my saddle or look at wow saddles but I am wary of spending that sort of money and then it still isn't right.
He has a bit of a dipped back so will be difficult to fit a saddle to as they do bridge.
Has anyone had experience of wow saddles or flair saddles?
Is it possible to have one on trail to see if it solves the problem?
Where do you get them from?
I am in Lancashire

 

[flyingfeet]

Well I spent all last night with my wow fitter using pressure pads and changing panels to try and solve my dry patches problem.

Wow saddles really are the most flexible, and they specialise in problem horses. I think it even mentions that that do a special panel for dipped backs on their website.

The website also gives you a list of fitters in your area.

 

[Quarrybank]

I have a 4 year old who also has a dipped back & I thought it was going to be a nightmare to get a saddle for him. As you say, they all bridged and he was getting sore. I've just purchased a 'Sue Carson' saddle which is fitted with the Flair system & has been fitted to both of us. It fits him perfectly & can be adjusted as he changes shape. (I didn't want to get a saddle only to have to change it as he gets older & muscles up etc) They've even said that if he changes dramatically, they can always change the head. The difference already in his work is amazing. He works much more forward & long and low, which will be great to strengthen his back. They are not the cheapest saddles but I would definately recommend.

 

[Theresa_F]

I had an albion fitted with flair and it did help with my mare's back. Best thing is that it could be adjusted with me sitting on it by my saddle fitter without it having to be taken away. Very comfortable to ride on but does take a bit of getting used to first time.

At the time the change to flair was about £200 on the price of a new saddle.

 

[Tierra]

Although I usually just lurk around these forums, I registered specifically to give some feedback on these saddles.

The service Ive received from first thought has been exceptional. It was the company owners who fit my most recent saddle to my new gelding and they were extremely thorough in the time they spent "tweaking" the saddle to my horse. They've also kept in touch with me in the months following the fitting to ask how he is going.

This was my second wow saddle and, although this horse doesn't have any specific back problems (and nor do I), he does have very high withers, a very broad back and an extremely short rib cage. Coupled with the fact that im 5ft 10 and long through my thigh, it was turning into a fitting nightmare.

The saddles can feel odd at first (something I see mentioned on here a lot) but I firmly believe they are worth perservering with for the benefits reeped to the horse. After having ridden in them now for 2 years, I *hate* riding in other saddles. I have never had issues with my horse not responding to weight aids (something else I see mentioned) in his wow saddle. If anything, I believe he responds better (and he couldn't be described as an exceptionally sensitive horse to begin with.)

They are expensive and there is no getting around this. That being said, if you're someone who finds that their saddle needs tweaking with a lot then the cost in the long term is justifiable and the saddle soon becomes more cost efficient than many others. Its also a rather nice feeling to know that should you need any major adjustments, these can be accommodated also without the purchase of an entirely new saddle.

I'd strongly urge anyone considering these saddles to at least have a saddler out and give them a test run. While not everyone likes them (lets face it, it's a pretty core piece of equipment and it would be very odd if we all liked the same thing anyway...), I honestly believe that they can address a multitude of issues for those suffering with saddle nightmares. Most of the saddlers also offer some sort of trial period to allow people to really test the saddles before parting with a huge chunk of cash (aside from an initial deposit).

I'd never choose another saddle now, regardless of whether my furture horses have back issues / fitting issues or not. And if you have any other, more specific questions, just ask and i'll do my best to advise!

 

[mrussell]

I second this - my WOW saddle is the only saddle that my horse feels happy in. He is croup high and has front end lameness issues (nothing diagnosable - mostly now in his "mind" after years of struggling in traditional rim shoes).

The WOW saddle is the only one so far that balances me so he can carry me in the most efficient and comfy way. People say that WOW saddles are heavy but with poly stirrups the difference is negligable to that of a standard saddle with normal stirrup irons.

And to be honest, its how the horse carries you, not whether you weigh a few extra pounds that makes all the difference to their happiness.

I love it and am more than confident that this is a saddle for life....

 

[Tierra]

Sorry! Re-read the initial post and realised I didnt actually answer everything anyway.

Firstly, you can find First Thought Equine (the people who manufacture both the wow saddle and the initial designers of flair) at:-

http://www.flair.uk.com/wow/wow%20concept.htm

If you then click on the "how to buy" link in the left hand menu, there should be a list of UK stockists. If there is no one convenient for you, Id still contact the company directly. I did this for various reasons and the owners still accommodated me despite the fact Im miles away from them.

In regards to a trial.... I can only speak on experience with the first saddle I bought from them since there was no question that I wanted the second. The lady who fit the first one asked for a £50 initial fee to come and see my horse, fit a demo saddle for her and let me try it. I don't know if this fee is something they all ask for or if it's the choice of the individual fitters though. This fee was refundable if we then purchased the saddle later.

I seem to remember (we did order on the day), that we had to pay an initial deposit on the saddle to confirm the order. I can't remember what this was but it was quite nominal. When the saddle arrived. I was then told to use it for two weeks before paying the balance owing on the saddle (to make sure i was happy with it).

I suspect that may be as close to a trial as you will get but it could differ from saddler to saddler. Depending on where you are in the country, I believe there are a couple of fitters that actually hold quite large stock of the saddles... in that case it might be possible to arrange something. Alternatively try and call the company directly and see if they can offer any advice. They're lovely people

 

[djb]

Thanks for your replies.

I will give it some serious thought. I'm just a bit sceptical after buying 2 new saddles and he still has a tweaky back.

 

[Cobnut1]

[ QUOTE ]
He has a bit of a dipped back so will be difficult to fit a saddle to as they do bridge

[/ QUOTE ]

I know where you are coming from.. my sister has a horse whose back dips to the point that he has been called curvy... I wonder..do your saddles slide about? My sister has spent over a year (and a lot of money) on different saddles none of which fitted, had one made..no good, and has now finally settled on a treeless saddle, as these will fit no matter what shape he is, or what shape he might change to..... We have a Solution Saddle but you might want to shop around to find the best one for you and your horse.

 

[Cobnut1]

PS, I personally wouldn't put a WOW on if your horse has a sore back, as they are very heavy. would you carry a heavy item if your back was sore?

 

[Tierra]

Well, thats not really surprising to be honest. Aside from the financial issue, it soon gets very old and tiring constantly being told that your saddle doesn't fit and (where applicable), having x number of days off after physio treatments aside from this.

The wow saddles are infinitely adjustable and that's why I believe you'd be in safe hands.

Howver, a couple of thoughts here.

Firstly, you say that your horse is going much better but the physio still says that he is sore under the saddle region. Is this definatly "new" soreness? What I mean is, when there has been damage to an area in the past, it can take a long time for this to be completly sorted and your physio / chiropractor should be able to identify whether this is a new problem caused by recent trauma or something older.

Also, if this soreness is coming from the saddle, do you know what the problem actually is? There would be little point in having a flair conversion to your saddle if it's too narrow in width, for example.

Another thought here, although Im no back expert and don't know how valuable it would be. Could your physio possibly be present when you have a saddler out to at least try one of the wow saddles on your horse? My chiropractor has always been able to identify whether soreness in the back is "new" or "old" and whether it's directly related to the saddle or something else. While my horse is now consistently given a clear bill of health, I did have her out a week into having my new saddle to ask her opinion. This would at least give you the option of refusing to pay the balance on the saddle IF it didnt fit. Or giving them the alternative to come out and fix it!

It is a horrible bind to be in and I can 100% sympathise. I'd been through all sorts of saddles on my mare and while everything seemed ok for a few months, it all went wrong at varying points after then and it leads you sceptical and extremely untrusting of anyone who says "it fits!!" My gelding on the other hand was a bit the other way and the initial fitting itself is what caused the problems.

Really hope you get something sorted

 

[flyingfeet]

Sorry but that's rubbish!

Weight of the saddle makes very little difference once you add in the weight of a human. When it comes to backs, bearing surface is more important than weight.

Moving from a saddle that fits to one that doesn't its the equivalent of a human in high heels.... lightweight they may be, but hurt like hell after a bit of walking!
Whereas air cushioned work boots, whilst heavier, would be more comfy!!!

 

[Weezy]

Cotswold - have we got a local fitter then?

 

[djb]

Tierra - I am thinking the same thing - I have only had the new saddle for a month and the soreness seems to be in the same place as the old one even though the saddler spent ages making sure the new one had an even weight bearing surface. He is definitely better than he was - he had hard lumpy tissue behind the saddle and this has reduced. Also the new saddle doesn't rub the hair up as the other used to do slightly.

To be honest - the other saddle could have been hurting him for a few months but stupid me thought that it must be ok as it was made for him!

I will ask the physio next week whether she thinks it is old soreness or new - I didn't think to ask this yesterday!

 

[Quarrybank]

I would also add (being a recent convert to Flair) that if your saddle tree fits & you're happy that the saddle fits you, then you could get it converted to flair. This will be much cheaper. I was able to see with my boy that even with his difficult confirmation the saddle moulded to him, doesn't bridge & sits straight so i'm in balance. This will mean he has the benefit of the air. Plus if he's been in an uncomfetable saddle for a while, his muscle may have wasted a bit. They will delevop again once he's comfy & with the flair you'll have much more adjustment available

 

[Tierra]

If your horse is going well in your opinion and to avoid you buying yet another saddle, I'd cover ever other option available to you first.

One month is an awfully short time for a saddle to go from fitting to not in my opinion (extreme situations aside!)

I would ask the physio whether he / she thinks it's old damage thats going to take a while to recover or new damage caused by the new saddle. Like I said, Im far from a back expert but I think they should be able to give you some idea on this.

If it's old damage, then you're probably doing the right thing anyway since it sounds like your horsey sees the physio regularly. If they say it's new I would a) ask them to try and specify exactly where this problem is originating i.e. if the tree is too narrow, if the gullet is too narrow, if the saddle was too long etc. That would give you a better idea of whether a simple flair conversion could be of benefit or whether you perhaps need to start from scratch.

Alternatively, if she / he can't give you much idea of where this soreness is coming from, then perhaps (and please dont think im discrediting your physio!!!), just get someone else out for a second opinion. Sometimes, having another party, who perhaps hasn't met your horse before, can see something that may have been missed.

I find saddle fitting a particularly difficult area because many experts who you ask for advice are bias (in that they want to sell you something - or perhaps im just sceptical) so sometimes knowing who to trust is a tough call. You certainly shouldn't beat yourself up over your old saddle not fitting. We all do the best for our horses but we're only human and until the day they can magically talk to us, it's hard to know exactly whats going on (and, to be honest, if mine *could* talk to me, he'd lie anyway)

If you do end up needing any advice regarding the wow's feel free to shoot me a pm or whatever and i'll do my best to answer any questions

 

[siennamiller]

I have a wow and I love it
quite a few people are mentioning about it being so heavy but one of the key features of a wow is that it has such a large weight bearing surface so it spreads the weight more efficiently than any other saddle. The points on the saddle are also designed to move and flex with the horse, They are set at a different angle to make the saddle more comfortable

 

[I_A_P]

im tryins ome wow saddles in the morning actually..i shall out a post uop to tell u my opinion..as i think its something many people will b einterested in!

 

[Cobnut1]

[ QUOTE ]
Sorry but that's rubbish!

Weight of the saddle makes very little difference once you add in the weight of a human. When it comes to backs, bearing surface is more important than weight.

Moving from a saddle that fits to one that doesn't its the equivalent of a human in high heels.... lightweight they may be, but hurt like hell after a bit of walking!
Whereas air cushioned work boots, whilst heavier, would be more comfy!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

well that's me been told then!!! it was only my opinion!!