Wow saddles

[jt1775]

Has anyone just bought the gauge and fitted the saddles themselves?

I can’t for love or money get a fitter out. There’s only a few in the area - two don’t reply at all and one is just making zero effort to organise an appointment. I have an opportunity for some really well priced used wow saddles but at this rate I’m stuck. If the gauge works then I’m thinking i can just buy it and then assemble the parts myself?

 

[twobearsarthur]

I’ve only ever switched panels and flaps which was straight forward. But I know WOW have courses on throughout the year for the public to to train in fitting and adjusting the saddles independently.

 

[Andrew657]

I haven't used it - although did watch my fitter use it after horse had had an extended period off work - to work out best options. To me I think it would be both fiddly to use and would need much trial and error if you didn't already have a reasonable starting point.

 

[ycbm]

I've always fitted for myself and friends. I just try on a curved seat and if that's no good a flat one and then try a range of gullet plates held above the horse where it should sit. I've never used any panel except a tabbed DWG and that fitted every horse I've ever used WOWs on, which is many.
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[jt1775]

Got in touch with another fitter today. She couldn’t have made them sound worse or more complicated! Plus just kept telling me how expensive it would be to get her out to fit them and she charges per saddle not by time etc etc. I think I’m just going to forget about Wow, it really doesn’t seem worth it and if the fitters can’t even be bothered to express any enthusiasm for the product then it doesn’t really tempt you to invest in such expensive tack.

 

[ycbm]

Got in touch with another fitter today. She couldn’t have made them sound worse or more complicated! Plus just kept telling me how expensive it would be to get her out to fit them and she charges per saddle not by time etc etc. I think I’m just going to forget about Wow, it really doesn’t seem worth it and if the fitters can’t even be bothered to express any enthusiasm for the product then it doesn’t really tempt you to invest in such expensive tack.

The other way to look at that is that the fitters are so busy they don't need your business. Annoying if you're a prospective customer though.

WOW is likely to remain my saddle of choice for the amount that they've saved me in not changing saddles as young horses change shape, not paying for reflocking, and now that I don't have very young horses, for the fact that they are the only treed saddle on the market that flexes the whole front arch with the horse's shoulder movement and gives them that freedom to move.
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