Does anyone ride in one and use the H girth? If so, can you share your thoughts and opinions on them? I’m getting ready to spring for one for a horse that I’ve never had any luck with getting a saddle to fit other than a western saddle. Thanks in advance
If you do a search there are other threads about the saddles. I haven’t used the girth but I did try one of the saddles when I was saddle shopping and I have never see a horse be more clear about how much he hated something. It just was NOT the saddle for him. A barn mate bought one and perhaps due to the fitter not the saddle it just doesn’t fit her horse. She keeps messing with it trying to make it work but to my eye it is a lousy fit and she should sell it and get something else.
I think the wow saddles depend highly on the fitter. If the fitter is well educated, the saddle will likely be fine.
However, one of my clients trialed one and it was supposed to be fitted and “just perfect” for her horse. It was awful. It rolled left constantly and was an inch beyond his last true rib. CanteringCwas a disaster and don’t even think about tempi changes. When I told her to see if the fitter could find a shorter panel the fitter argued that there was nothing wrong with the saddle.
Sounds like the fitter did not know what they were doing.
I bought a WOW about a year ago and my horse improved dramatically. Yes - it does depend on the ability of the fitter but they now have a measuring gauge to standardize the fit and I love the ability to adjust the fit as his musculature changes. I did buy the H girth because I have a fore girth - the H girth is necessary to make keep the fore girth in place but otherwise I’m not sure that it is any better than any other high end girth.
April, how often do you need to have the saddle adjusted? Do you have wool or air panels?
Just tried the WOW saddle line and had one on trial for a week, including riding in a show with it. At first I loved it, but then by the 5th ride I felt like it was bouncing me out of the saddle at the trot and I also felt perched on top of the horse, and not as aware of my horse’s back…not as close contact. I like the concept of the H girth, especially with my mare’s build, but it only works with certain saddle billet straps and their position, so make sure that you have the option to test ride the model set up you are buying with the girth before you buy…the girth is close to $400 alone.
I’ve also tried the Korrector pad, and I think that the air filled panels are just not the best for me. I loved the leg position it created for me with the Equitania flap and loved all the adjustment options but I am passing on the Flair portion. Im hoping once the rep gets in some of the other seat options that I will be able to try out a different combination in the saddle and maybe have a different reaction to it.
I really love the wool flocked options, and honestly the Flair has to be adjusted just as much, if not more than the wool. I know someone who has had 3 headplate adjustments and even Flair panel adjustments over the past 6 months as the horse is growing and changing. That seem like ALOT, but the horse is a lovely mover and winning everything.
I love my H-girth and use it on both my WOW and non-WOW saddles. It really helps prevent the saddle from sliding forward and the back from popping up on my jumping saddle. My mare is difficult to fit - she has a very forward girth groove, well sprung ribs, and a very short back. Everything slides forward with any other girth - the H-girth is the only one that solved the problems. I was very happy with my 2 WOW saddles (dressage and jumping) and I had one with Flair and one with wool flocking. My horse liked both, unfortunately the twist is way too narrow for me for dressage once I lost some weight so I still have the jump saddles, but am selling the dressage saddle.
Sent u a pm
Sounds like you have too much air in the panels. I find my WOW to be the most close contact saddle I’ve ever ridden in.
