Buying a WOW saddle 2nd hand

[abi king]

I keep seeing them come up on ebay and have been tempted, but they seem to go for around 1k and I am wondering how much it costs to then alter bits to fit your horse? Anyone know? Or is it worth paying the other £500 odd for one made for you?

Also how set back are the stirrup bars?

Also anyone know if there is an agent/fitter that travels to Cornwall?

Thanking you!

[ludlu]

What I do know is that I think Muriel (Linda Baia) has one for sale that hasn't suited one horse (in fact he's going back to western because the whole change to English has unsettled him), the other goes great in hers.....I'm sure she could tell you about it!  Hers is cair, so it can be altered by a fitter or yourself, I think.

If she doesn't see this I would drop her a PM.

[visconde]

erm, I have one. its worth getting a proper wow fitter to fit what you get as their are different panels etc. I already had one on trial when I saw and ex-display model for 1/2 price at the Royal Highland Show. Luckily all that needed changing was the headplate so it was a godd find!I love mine-as does my horse but they arent for eveyone so I strongly advise one on trial for at least a couple of months.I know of some who have had problems by not having them fitted by people familiar with them.
I think all models have 2 stirrup bar settings and you can also alter the flap settings.

[abi king]

Thanks for the replies. I would want a dressage one, so Muriel's is not suitable, but i did see the ad Ludlu.

And yes fitting it does seem the big issue and there isn't a WOW fitter in Cornwall. Nearest in Somerset I think. I just wondered that with so many options re. type of panel, tabs, flaps, seat etc etc whether you were ever likely to find one second hand that wouldn't need lots of things changing!

I guess I should see about trialling one and find out what I'd need and then keep looking! Most 2nd hand ones seem to come set up for narrow/high withered horses and I'd need the opposite!

[margarita]

Hi Abi, if you are after best for your money I would go for a second hand strada saddle . They are biult with a flexible tree and have special designed gel filled padding that all moulds to the shape of the horse . Have a look on there website and if you go on the forum page they have some second hand one s there. Ideally siuted to the iberian horse. Have a look. Pop in strada into google .

[abi king]

Thanks Martina, they look interesting. Have you tried one? Do you know how much they are?

[margarita]

I have got one . They are very comfy for the rider and horse. They are 1400 new but you can get one second hand for about 600. Have a look on the forum on strada saddles web site. There is some on there for sale have a look   You would need an I fit.  
I am down in August you can have a look at mine.

[zenithqhorses]

I had a WOW fitted last year. It took 4 hrs to go through all the different combinations. It's a godsend for me with the hip injury, even though they are a bit ugly. It took me 3 yrs to get to a stage where I would consider it though Still, it's that or not ride now. If you know what panels your horse needs, then you stand a chance of a second hand one.

[Claire]

a person at my last yard has one for her pony and loves it....i never got to try it unfortunately, she wouldn't let anyone else ride the pony!

[Linda Baia]

I had a WOW fitted last year. It took 4 hrs to go through all the different combinations.

See that was my problem the fitter did it within 30 minutes-1hr   

I have never ridden in this type of saddle and I just did not know what to expect and how to feel, so I was unable to give a good feedback, that saddle-fitter had been used to work with more advanced rider.

Don't know? In the end the saddle did not fit my gelding, and white hair started to grow, and he had a pressure point on the left-hand-side ...

Do have a proper COMPETENT saddle fitter comes to you. Otherwise, the saddle is worth NOTHING!

Beautiful crafted saddle thought ...

[minkymoo2]

Youre right Linda - as with any saddle, a proper fitter is always a must.  I love my WOW and its made such a big differecne to both me and my lad.
Hubby ofcourse has one for his loopy ex-racer who hasnt bucked since he bought it...  and there is no doubt that the flexible head plate system saved our eventers wthers when he rotated over after falling on landing after a jump....