WOW Saddles - Collapsing tree head?

[eclectic]

While riding in a demo WOW saddle I felt by the end of the ride that the twist had disappeared - like it sank down, or the had stretched out.
It worried me, as I know the headplate is short-legged (a bonus for big-shouldered horses), and I wondered how well the whole structure is able to hold the twist and tree high enough above the spine.

I spoke to an independent fitter some time later who mentioned she’d heard of problems with the WOW tree heads - collapsing, or breaking at the joint, something to do with failure at connection between the independent head piece and the rest of the tree.

Has anyone else heard of or experienced such a thing?

[I’ve not been able to find it reported here on Chronicle, or H&H, or general internet search. I’m still finding the same reported positive experiences, albeit not super recent, vs. negative ones attributed to incorrect fitting. But no reports concerning failure of engineering (head piece/tree).]

[3rottenponies]

I own two of these saddles, and I think they are between 3-5 years old now. I have not had any issues with that or heard of that being an issue.

[CanteringCarrot]

I did a lot of digging around on them recently, and didn’t come across anything like that in my research. However, any saddle can be a one off that has some sort of defect regardless of brand I suppose. There’s can be that one person who seems to have an isolated issue. I guess you’re that lucky person this time?

How old is the saddle? It could’ve also been dropped or handled incorrectly at some point. Being a demo, someone could’ve messed around with it while they had it on trial. Who knows.

[CanteringCarrot]

Yes, I was also considering a WOW due to being familiar with a fitter in my area. I just couldn’t get over the air thing. However, many people love them and notice improvement in their horses.

I’m attempting to build a saddle with Sommer. Hopefully it works out.

[eclectic]

@CanteringCarrot : I was looking at Sommer at one point. I hope it works out, too - let us know!

The air thing - I agree, I don’t like the original mostly air panels. Especially since I found out the air moves around when you shift your weight. So the horse is not going to feel your weight shift.

But they have other options now. You can get traditionally stuffed wool panels. Or the newest invention (not super new) - the “Mark II” panels have distributed foam, with air channels/pockets distributed through it, the way air is distributed through and around wool fibers. It seems to be an improvement over wool flocking, as you can stiffen or soften it by addition/subtraction of air, and it will not over-compress or get too solid or clumpy the way wool can.

I mean, it sounds good on paper, right? I don’t yet have first-hand experience.