WOW Saddle Refit

 Windsor Stables was fortunate to have Renske Valkenburg of The Saddle Doc down from Chicago for 2 days of saddle assessments and fittings. 

Renske setting up tubing to adjust the air in Pyro's dressage saddle

I've been riding almost exclusively in WOW saddles since selling Pyro's Loxley. (I ride bareback with the Brockamp pad pretty regularly too, and every once in a while I toss a western saddle on Missy.) While I feel pretty confident using the gauge to assess what base parts they need, I wanted to learn how to fine tune the Flair panels, adjusting the balance of the saddle and accounting for asymmetry. 

My "stable" of WOW saddles. Left to right: Pyro's jump, Pyro's dressage, and Missy's dressage

Prior to the appointment, Renske asked us to fill out a few forms, informing her of basic background info on the horses, their jobs, and any issues I might be experiencing with their saddles. She also requested optional photos of the horses standing square, both with and without their saddle, plus any short clips of them being ridden we might want to share. 

omg Missy's face

Knowing that we were about to get some Weather™️, I opted to begin my appointment with Missy. Renske started from scratch with the gauge, and she confirmed I had the correct configuration of parts for Missy with one exception: her current panels included a tab, which Miss would do better without. 

Renske showed me how to feel the shape of the withers to help determine a "rail" wither from a "pyramid" wither. Thankfully, Pyro's jump saddle had panels without tabs, so I poached those in favor of having a saddle set up for Missy. The new set also had the extra wide gullet channel, which Renske thought Missy would like based on the width of her spine. 

The tabbed panels I removed from Missy's saddle

One of the panels without tabs 

In a flurry of t-handle hex wrench, phillips head screw driver, and tubing, we had the "new" saddle built, the panels set to atmospheric pressure, and access to adjust the air with me in the saddle. Renske commented that she was impressed with how comfortable I was helping disassemble/reassemble the saddles, but feeling empowered to make changes myself is part of why I love my WOWs. 

Note the ominously dark sky

We popped into the indoor, and Renske methodically guided me through adding air (3 pumps at a time) to the front and back of the panels until the balance felt right, neither dumping to the back of the saddle nor pitching me forward. Once that felt comfortable, she taught me how to make some minor adjustments to better fit Missy's strong/weak sides. (Both Missy and Pyro are stronger in their left shoulder, which is more developed. Their left scaps lie further back than their right.) We first added a pump and a half to the front left air pocket of the panels. I rode a bit to get a feel for it, then we added a pump and a half to the rear right air pocket. After making those adjustments, I was amazed at the extra level of relaxation over her topline Missy offered. While I thought she liked the WOW saddle to begin with, I could tell she REALLY liked it now. Unfortunately, I didn't get to revel in the feeling very long because that's when the storm hit. 

Missy: WTAF?!

It blew in QUICKLY, and I witnessed the tops of trees snap off outside before I could get dismounted. Winds were clocked at 80+ mph, some of the strongest I've experienced from a storm with no tornadic activity. Missy proved she's a saint and worth her weight in gold, allowing me to safely scramble off her and guide her through the creaking indoor arena, tense but never putting a foot out of place. 

Thankfully our outdoor arena was spared, but you can see evidence of some of the broken branches.

Grateful that we were able to finish her fitting, we weathered the storm in the barn aisle, and then it was Pyro's turn!

Good boy standing quietly with his Busy Buddy

I knew both Miss and Pyro were due for a saddle fit check, but dear LORD, I didn't realize how much Pyro had changed. He went up TWO (2) headplate sizes, from a 1U to a 3U, which is the same size Missy uses. I attribute *some* of that to the little bit of extra weight he has put on from a combination of inconsistent work and lush summer grass, however, he IS six years old and has noticeably broadened in general. 

Using the gauge while he gives big releases 

Pyro's dressage saddle also has tabbed panels on it, which he doesn't need. However, the shape of his wither is closer to pyramid than Missy's, so he can use them for now. 

Renske showed me her method of securing tubing with binder clips that was genius in its simplicity.

Grateful that the storm was past (and I had chosen life by riding Missy first), we repeated the process of the in motion fit check and air adjustments.

Focusing on sitting evenly in the saddle while Renske added air

Pyro was a good boy and tolerated a stranger fiddling with his tack very well.

Just like with Missy, we methodically found how much air needed to be where so the saddle was balanced and accommodating of his asymmetry. I felt very secure and balanced by the end of the fitting, and he was relaxed and steady. 

I was exhausted by the end, but it was a great experience working with and learning from Renske. She was pleasant, professional, and great with the horses. We're already talking about having her back to the barn this fall for another round of fittings, and I'm looking forward to it! In the meantime, I tucked a few more tools in my pocket to help keep Miss and Pyro comfortable on my own. Once a new set of panels arrives for Pyro's jump saddle, I'll get to practice going through the adjustments on my own!