Flair Panels .. Any Problems?

[Linda Baia]

I would like to know if people have had any problem with Flair panels, they fit WOW saddles.

It is FLAIR, not CAIR which fit wintec and Bates saddles.

A while ago before my September fall, I manipulated my saddles, I had heard a "pfffffffffff", which came from my saddles. I could not identify where from.

But on my mare, me and two others riders are tilted to the right at the WALK. And my gelding had white hair appearing on his back, since september.

Of course, it is not an issue right now as both are out of work, because I am "broken".

But I would like to know if others people had problems with the FLAIR panels, not CAIR.

P.S. my saddlefitter has left Italy ... and the saddle manufacturer is very hard to contact....

[Tierra]

Nope, I havent had any issues with flair although I did have a disagreement with another saddler who was altering my wow saddle which resulted in me contacting first thought equine directly.

In my opinion, flair needs a good eye and an experienced saddler to fit it correctly.

If the saddle is not sitting correctly, then the air bags obviously need altering and it could certainly account for white hairs appearing on your geldings back.

Im on my second wow saddle and neither have caused issues EXCEPT for the fact that one of the saddlers just wasnt very good. After I disputed what she was saying, I did contact first thought directly and they fitted my second saddle themselves.

If your saddle has made some kind of noise, then there sounds like there is an issue. Mine certainly doesnt make any sort of "pfffffff"ing noise! That being said, altering the flair in the saddle should be relatively easy to do... you just need a decent saddler who has one of the pumps for them. The flair bags can need altering sometimes due to the horse muscling up more or if the panels have been slightly unevenly filled due to a rider fault (I know the saddlers will often attempt to correct rider position faults by altering the pressure in specific air bags). But in this case, the fact that your saddle has made a noise suggests that there is a problem!

Have you considered contacting first thought directly? Perhaps they can advise on who best to contact in regards to altering the flair.

[Linda Baia]

well i live in Italy so it is not easy to get somebody out ...

That is why I have been trying to buy a pump kit and let my OH do the job, because he is a very good engineer and very good at fixing things...

Tierra, I PM you.

[Tierra]

Ive replied with the contact details for First Thought Equine as well as a number for their representative in Italy.

Ive never altered the panels myself but Im sure some people have done... I dont see why they cant sell you a pump if you believe you can do it yourself.

I really hope you have some luck - they are fabulous saddles but are only as good as the person who fits them for you

Victoria

[minkymoo2]

Linda, Ive never had any issues and we are a 2 wow family now....  I dont like the sound of the pffft though.... does the bag still feel inflated?

and Ive got some white patches appearing on his rump - go figure!  :lol:  

[Joanned]

I Have had two saddles fitted with Flair and also have a WOW saddle.  I have my own pump as my youngster is constantly changing.  First thought will sell you a pump kit, they are about £90 but at least you can adjust the saddle yourself, it's easy to do.

Could the sound just be air moving around in the panels?  If I press mine sharply I get an air sound from it sometimes, but it hasn't lost any air.

BTW - mkae sure the saddle fits properly, as the flair can not make a bad fitting saddle correct, it can only adjust (like you would do with flocking)

Jo

[Bubbles]

I have a Wow, and one of the air bags had a split in it - it was a manufacturing fault with a specific bag, and the fitter was very good and replaced it promptly and at no charge.  It might be worth contacting the manufacturer and asking if your saddle could have this problem - it was one batch so if you know your saddle number they should be able to identify it.

B

[Fiona]

First Thought will sell you a pump kit no problem.  It comes with some very comprehensive instructions too.

Fiona