THE EVIDENCE IS IN THE SWEAT!

FREESPACE GIRTH IN USE- VIEW FROM BELOW

THE IMPACT OF GIRTHING ON HORSES LOCOMOTION

GILLIAN HIGGINS REVIEWS FREESPACE GIRTH

Gillian Higgins, founder of Horses Inside out, has been trialling our FreeSpace Girth for a Couple of weeks, and has provided this testimonial of how she has found it! She offers her expertise of the science behind FreeSpace Girth, and how it can positively affect horses who use it!

"This exciting new Free Space Girth from WOW™ will get your horse moving more freely or you can send it back. We are that confident that your horse will be so much more comfortable."

WHAT FREESPACE GIRTH IS ALL ABOUT

This new innovative patented design has an Active Cushion Sternum Plate that has two parts.

The outer is a reinforced plate that will not give under girth tension. This is spaced away from the horse by the Active Cushion which holds the Sternum Plate away from the horse’s rib cage. The Sternum Plate makes the girth straps bridge the pectoral muscles and it is this lack of pressure that is the key to allowing the horse to engage by the use of an unimpeded Rectus Abdominus and better leg retraction due to the Ascending Pectoral muscles not being squashed!

The girth is made from a synthetic leather that you will have to look hard to notice the difference. The reason we use synthetic material is because of its’ superior qualities of keeping clean and looking great even after years of use.



Girths straps can be the same or different lengths dependant on your horses and your requirements. They can be changed at any time in the future very easily.

The Free Space (Dressage) version girths has buckle ends which can be separate like our H Girth or they can be joined using a double buckle guard.

The Free Space Long Version has girth sleeves included, which have been designed to help stop pinching.  

The top layer of the Sternum plate is a reinforced plate that will not give under girth tension.  Measured at the widest point, the standard sternum plate is 9.5 inches (19cm) wide.

The top layer of the Sternum plate is a reinforced plate that will not give under girth tension. The slim sternum is for horses that are narrower between the front legs. Measured at the widest point, the slim version is only 7.5 inches wide (12.5cm) so would be better suited for the slimmer horse.

The sternum plate is spaced away from the horse by the Active Cushion which holds the Sternum Plate away from the horse’s rib cage. 

The sternum plate is spaced away from the horse by the Active Cushion which holds the Sternum Plate away from the horse’s rib cage. 

If your girth straps are far apart than single buckle guards will be the best fit as it means your straps can go in different directions.

Padded buckle guards are an option if you would prefer more padding underneath the buckles themselves.

If your girth straps are close together then a double buckle guards will work nicely to keep your straps joined.

Padded buckle guards are an option if you would prefer more padding underneath the buckles themselves.

Girth sleeves are not a necessity, although they do come as standard with the long version of the girth. They have been designed to prevent pinching of the straps.

Single girth straps for FreeSpace girth comes in various lengths and can be changed at home.



A Lambs Wool cover for the lower sternum plate of the Free Space Girth, which sits against the horse.



A Lambs Wool cover for the lower sternum plate of the Free Space Girth, which sits against the horse.



Our vegan leather will have you looking hard to try and notice the difference. It has superior qualities of keeping clean and looking great even after years of use. You do not need to use any leather treatments on this synthetic material, just a quick wipe down with water will do the trick!

Our real leather versions of the FreeSpace girth are available in a choice of colours so you can match your girth to your saddle.  You can chose from Black, Dark Brown, Havane, Nutmeg, Military and Oakwood.

Sam and her horse bear have provided us with a brilliant before and after of their first FreeSpace Girth use! Before, riding in a wow H girth, Bear is tense and shows resistance. After in the FreeSpace Girth, she is engaged and willing. The difference is visible and remarkable.

Sally & Able tried out our FreeSpace girth in this brilliant comparison video. The difference in Able is profound. He starts off with short, choppy strides, with a tense neck, and it appears he doesn't want to let go over the back. However, shortly after changing to a FreeSpace girth, there is a softness visible in his topline. He lowers and extends his neck and head out. It is a very marked change. He is learning to let go. It can only get better from here!

FERNE & ZULU

Zulu came in for a saddle refit, and of course ended up trying out a FreeSpace girth while he was here. The change in his riding wasn’t as drastic as some others, however there is still a slightly marked difference to be noted. Before, riding in a Wow Release girth, he was slightly on the forehand. His strides were laboured and he wasn’t lifting through his shoulders. After a few minutes riding in a FreeSpace girth, Ferne herself said

“I can feel a difference, its like he’s trying to figure it all out aswell!”

Zulu can be seen pushing off better with his hind; he is lighter in the front. Its also notable that he is not as laboured in his canter. 

"I originally chose WOW saddles as they were the only ones I could find that were able to work round my mare’s asymmetry and very forward girth groove.  Other saddles slipped and rolled excessively or required so much padding I felt I was perched on top.  When I saw the release of the new free space girth I was really interested but concerned that it would not work as well as her ‘H’ girth for stabilizing the saddle. I have tried the free space girth and am really impressed with how it works.  For the first time I have no roll whatsoever in a training session, there is usually some movement but have just accepted that as her shape but am thrilled that this is no longer the case.  Because I am no longer trying to compensate for the movement my trainer says I am sitting straighter and stiller as well!!  She is also moving better and feels much freer over her back enabling me to sit better to her trot which has always been hard work!  We are competing PSG level and already in my training have felt that the canter pirouettes are more secure because I am straighter and more central without being thrown off to the side.  I would strongly recommend this girth for improving the way of going but also for providing, in my case, the much desired correct saddle fit and therefore a much more comfortable horse!"

                                         -ZARA BASSETT

"Joey and I were lucky enough to try out the new Freespace Girth from @wowsaddles at the weekend!
Such an interesting and innovative concept, I couldn’t wait to feel the difference!
I wasn’t disappointed 🤩 I just let Joey feel his way through for 20minutes, and what is normally his weaker, less expressive side, suddenly found a new range of motion. Longer, slower stride, more lift at the wither, more push from behind…..wow 🤩
When he settles and works out what his body can do with this extra freedom the feeling is going to be incredible!"

- STEFF HARRINGTON

The free space is a game changer on our yard, all the horses way of going have improved. The young horses feel freer and confident in their stride. Breeze, who is a nice but average mover, scored a 26 dressage in her last event!

- REBECCA PAGE

It was a week ago that Dawn and I decided to try the new girth on joey. He has always been ridden in the wow H girth and goes well in it but already we have seen a huge difference in the horse that is being ridden. The range of movement has just excelled, overall a happier horse to moving freely finding the lateral movements so much easier.

Interestingly, joey has suffered with gastric ulcers for the past 3 years and when ever we do up the girth he has always flinched away, even on the loosest of holes. Since having used the girth he hasn’t flinched or shown any sign of disagreement to the girth being done up. I am always looking for equipment that will make my horse not only perform better but feel better in, this is definitely the most exciting piece of kit that we’ve added and will be forever staying! 

- MEGAN ELLIS

‘I have been riding in WOW saddles for the past 12 months, and have recently been using the free space girth on Blondie. When my coach and saddle fitter Dawn first put it on, I could not believe how free Blondies shoulder movement was. This was noticeable not only in schooling sessions, but also when doing fast work up the gallops. I used the free space girth for the first time jumping at an event this weekend and it helped me to get my first clear round showjumping with blondie at BE100 level. The girth definitely had an immediate effect - I don’t think I’ve ever seen him giving the show jumps so much room, what a weapon!’

I have one since may last year. I noticed a significant difference with all three horses. More straight, better shoulder movement and is more relaxed. Really recommend this girth.

- KRISTEL LAP

Having struggled to find a girth that my young Irish Draught Skipper was 100% comfortable in I was interested to find out more about the WOW FreeFpace girth. I read up about it and spoke to my fabulous fitter Sally who advised on the options available. I decided to go for it and I have been delighted with it. Since using it Skipper has never felt tight and tucked up when I first mount and ride away and his walk has so much more swing. He's proving to have a big jump as his confidence builds and this girth along with my WOW saddle enables him to move freely and comfortably in all disciplines

It was a big deal for us to move over to the FreeSpace Girth. The H Girth had been our saviour, after the forward girth groove on my IDx gelding, caused the saddle to move forwards and explosive bucking as a result. The H girth with point straps was a great fix.

That said I was struggling especially when clipped with this set up rubbing his sensitive elbows. The FreeSpace has been amazing in resolving this, while allowing a feeling of freedom for him to move and stretch without restrictions."

- KATHERINE EDEN

This is Emma, and her 24 (yes 24!!) Year old Lusitano called Rafael. .

Emma & Rafa arrived back last week from Belgium, where they have been representing Great Britain in the MCI European Championships. . Team GB won team Silver & Rafa was 6th individually!

Emma said "His flying changes and canter extensions were fabulous in the Freespace girth - I hope you can see from the photos (remember he is 24)."



- Aimee Swinton-Clark

Absolutely love my girth! The difference in my horse is crazy.

 In my efforts to produce my OTTB to the best of his abilities, I'm constantly on the lookout for ways to improve his performance and comfort.

In addition to my beloved WOW™ saddle, the WOW™ Free Space Girth has become a staple in our schooling routine. I've only been using this girth for a short period of time, but already blown away by its effect on my horse, Sammy.

The improvements in his movement and comfort have been undeniable. The unique Active Cushion Sternum Plate has truly changed the game for us. The lack of pressure on his pectoral muscles and rib cage allows him to fully utilise his abdominal and pectoral muscles during jumps, making it easier for him to move more freely, comfortably, lift his front legs and land more smoothly over fences.

Sammy has always been an economical jumper, conserving his energy and often lazy with his front legs. However, I have noticed a significant improvement in his form over fences since using the WOW™ Free Space Girth. He's now more tucked and up in the forearms, which has resulted in less poles being knocked.

Since coming off the track, Sammy has been 'girthy' and sensitive over his rib area when the girth is tightened. However, thanks to the WOW™ Free Space Girth, he is now less reactive when the girth is tightened and doesn’t have the unnecessary tension to his girth muscles
.I believe that prioritising my horse's comfort is key to building a strong and positive partnership. Thanks to my WOW™ saddle and Free Space Girth, my horse is happy and never associates his job with any sort of discomfort. It's incredibly pleasing to see him perform at his best, knowing that he's comfortable and content in his tack.
I am excited for all the clear rounds that the future holds for us, with our WOW™ Free Space Girth.

- CAITLIN GOSS

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- GRACE HOSKNS

I have tried many girths for my particularly girthy mare, so winning the freespace girth in a competition i was really excited to try it out. Even within the first time putting it on she was alot less girthy, even my instructor noticed a difference in her movement and way of going. We havent used another girth since and both absolutely LOVE it! Thank you for creating a beautiful girth with the horses comfort and way of going in mind

 Since I use it I have a lot less tension when tacking up and more freedom in her shoulder movements.
She’s a very very sensitive mare and she feels every little bit. Since using this girth we have eliminated the stress at girthing. Since using the saddle we have an increased shoulder movement and saddle not sitting on her shoulders.
She is short with big wide shoulders. It was very difficult to find a saddle for her. But we are very happy now.

- LORENA KLINGLER

I don't think that I truly understood how much a girth can impact a horse's performance until I started using the Free Space girth on my mares. Not only did their movement drastically improve, but they also started breathing easier into the gait. Now that I have seen what this girth does for my horses, I will never use anything else!