Wow Saddles

[Persephone]

Those of you that have them, how do you get on with them?

I am considering one as a saddle that could fit/be adjusted for the lifetime of my horse.

Any pro's/cons?

Thanks

 

[JenHunt]

I love mine! I have a shallow seat on an XC flap and it's the most comfortable saddle I've ever ridden on. It rarely moves on Ron except on really steep hills (compared to every other saddle I tried which just slid right back the moment he moved), and when I switched to it there was a massive improvement in his jumping as his big shoulders could really come up.

the only cons are that it still doesn't clean itself and the price - but then I think if it does more than one horse in my lifetime then it's better value than any other saddle when the chances of one 'normal' saddle fitting your next horse are slim to none!

 

[Housemouse]

I agree to them being comfortable, but my horse hated it. Yes, she could move well in it, but I've lost confidence in it and it won't see my horses back again.

I couldn't get anyone to set it up properly either and it needed frequent pumping up.

I'm much happier with my LM saddle from Lavinia Mitchell which is cheaper than the WOW, but nice soft flocking and the use of a very lovely pad means my horse is happy and can move just as well. Comfy to.

 

[the watcher]

It may take more than adjusting the air and changing the gullet to make this your saddle of a lifetime, however since they are modular a saddle can be adapted to fit just about any horse.

I love mine, it allows the horse to move very freely and is very comfortable for me...it is fearsomely heavy though

 

[charlimouse]

Personally I don't get on with them, and have yet to find a horse that likes it! However I do know some people absolutely love them (a bit like marmite perhaps?). If I were you I would get a fitter out and try one, you have no obligation to buy, and you can test it out on your horse and see how you get on. Definately try before you buy!

 

[redredruby]

I love, love, love my WOW saddle and most importantly so does my horse.

The best way I can describe it is like taking the handbrake off, suddenly he is able to work over his back, it made me realise how much power he had (and it was slightly scary!!)

I agree in the importance of getting it properly fitted, I had one fitter out who didn't do a great job which did effect his way of going etc, but that is no different to any saddle. I now have a saddler I am very happy to recommend so if you want the details PM me.

It may be the case that you need to get the saddle refitted quite frequently in the beginning but that would only because the horse's back is developing / changing, but I have never had a problem with it deflating.

Can definitely recommend!

 

[Hollycatt]

I loved mine 2 of my horses it could be adjusted to (both narrow and high withers) and both loved it. The third horse it couldn't be adjusted to so bought an Amerigo instead for her. I preferred the Amerigo and the horse loved it, but it was very, very expensive (though worth every penny) however it can also be adjusted to fit the individual horse as it grows and changes shape - mine was bought for a 3 year old.

 

[Horses24-7]

I thought they sounded great on paper purchased a second hand one and only kept it 3 weeks

I just felt like I couldn't ride in it- almost too narrow seat and made me feel very insecure in my seat, I had a deep seat dressage flaps version.luckily when I sold it on I didn't lose anything!

Now purchased a sue Carson as my horse loves the flair and it's so much more comfy

 

[cptrayes]

I have six, I love them so much

Pros

Carbon fibre joint allows horse's shoulders to swing with no restrictions and all my horses who had previously been in fixed trees moved much bigger in a WOW.

Adjustability, especially if you buy a pump and do it yourself.

The airbags are in velcro pockets and can easily be replaced if need be. You do not need a saddler to do it if one gets a hole in it. They also mend very easily with superglue - a repair I did six months ago on a hole half an inch long and another 6 tiny pinholes is still holding!

Being able to put a 17 inch panel on an 18 inch seat, so someone with long legs or a big bottom can ride a horse with a short back.



Cons

They are heavy, especially the very old ones.

Some horses feel the airbag overlap. I recommend a wool Nuu-med or similar or a geleze on all horses, just in case.


Neutral.

If you use stirrup leathers with buckles you'd need to put the buckle down by the stirrup, there is no flap to hide it under. T bar leathers are recommended but they can make marks on the flap if you can't get the length right for the T to be off the bottom of the flap.

 

[cptrayes]

I loved mine 2 of my horses it could be adjusted to (both narrow and high withers) and both loved it. The third horse it couldn't be adjusted to so bought an Amerigo instead for her. I preferred the Amerigo and the horse loved it, but it was very, very expensive (though worth every penny) however it can also be adjusted to fit the individual horse as it grows and changes shape - mine was bought for a 3 year old.

Am I right in thinking that an Amerigo tree can only be adusted by a saddler heating it up and bending the metal to change the spread of the front arch? If so, then no matter how good the quality of the metal that it is made from, there is a limit to the number of times that this can be done before the metal is weakened and may bend under the strain of normal use, or fracture through stress.

Keiffer now has a ratchet in their saddles which can be adjusted, I think, any number of times.