WOW currently has many hundreds of possible permutations of Panel configurations. To limit the choice, we have split the panels into categories and then limited the available options. If you are looking for an option that is not there then we would politely ask you to reconsider your choice of Panel or ring us to discuss after first ensuring you have emailed us pictures of the horse.

About Flair

Yes, the panels in WOW Saddles are filled with air! Flair is a system of airbags specifically designed to replace the traditional flocking in saddles - foam and wool. Two air bags sit at the front, and two at the back, with the two bags overlapping through the center of the panel and surrounded by a soft foam insert. The foam forces the air to displace in such a way that the saddle's panels maximize their bearing surface against the horse's back.

Flair® was developed over a 6-year period involving Saddlers, Veterinarians, Physiotherapists, Chiropractors and Riders. It was initially developed to find a quicker and more precise means of fitting a saddle but in the trials, other benefits appeared. Flair® underwent 4 years of rider trials – In this period it was used by riders in disciplines such as Hunting, 3 Day Eventing, Dressage, Show Jumping, Endurance and general hacking. Whilst being on rider trial, laboratory testing of the Flair® System was continued on accelerated test rigs to ensure the durability of the product and computer pressure analysis equipment to refine the design.

Unlike Cair's 'air flocking' the bags within Flair panels are meant to be filled by a fitter with the rider in the tack. The fit should be checked regularly just like any other saddle, and the bags can be quickly and easily adjusted to adapt to your horse's changing back. With Cair, the foam inside the saddle's panels is sealed inside a plastic bag

The bags are adjusted via two valves that are fitted under the skirts of the saddle. The adjustments are made whilst the rider sits on the horse, with the whole process taking only a matter of minutes. The saddle fitter is able to instantly balance the saddle laterally and longitudinally, as well as make asymmetric adjustments to compensate for both horse and rider asymmetry and uneven muscle development. Flair provides a soft, flexible, and even bearing surface on which to ride, eliminating all pressure points - even from stirrups!

There is no need for any other flocking materials, as pressure testing has proven it to be the best way to achieve the highest level of comfort for the ridden horse. Once fitted by a trained WOW Fitter, Flair air bags do not need adjustment or special maintenance unless your horse changes shape, in which case your fitter makes the necessary adjustments to balance with the rider in the saddle on the horse. The adjustments are done quickly and easily, with your saddle ready to go in just a few minutes.

Horses ridden in saddles with the Flair Air Flocking System installed frequently change shape, especially at the start, with many frequently outgrowing their tree size in just a matter of weeks (and sometimes, most shockingly, hours!). If you're converting an existing saddle to Flair, it would be recommended to have a saddle that can also change shape with your horse, or you'll be saddle shopping again in no time!

Flair gives your saddle a constant, flexible layer of shock-absorbing air as thick as your saddle's panel. Flair increases the sensitivity to aids from your lower back and seat by removing any discomfort caused by the saddle and providing a layer of flocking that instantly changes and adapts to the smallest shifts in your weight, thereby allowing your horse to focus on your aids.

Dundee University independently verified that Flair gives 26% less pressure on your horse's back than wool flocking! The research undertook to measure the forces on the horse and the rider. The reduction in pressure results in increased stride length along with increased swing and improved, higher elevation of the back.

Llwynon Saddlery's Master Saddler of almost 3 decades' experience set out to prove that he could flock a saddle as well with wool as WOW can with Flair. He couldn’t. The pressure testing results document you can download show the comparison of the same Rider, Saddle & Horse, before and after conversion to Flair.  The Saddle was firstly re-flocked with new wool to the best of the Master Saddler’s ability prior to testing. Then it was converted to the Flair system. The maps show mean (average) pressure over the period the saddle was under test. pressure tested a correctly fitted saddle flocked with pure wool, then converted it to Flair and re-tested it. The same horse, rider and saddle were used with the only variable being the saddle's flocking. They showed that the Flair system significantly decreased pressures on the horse's back and increased the bearing surface of the saddle, especially when landing from a jump. 

Professional riders use Flair for that very reason; Wayne Channon will not ride in anything else now that he's felt how his horse's backs swing. The same can be said for Richard Davison, Jan Brinks, Lesley Payton-Gilbert, Paul Tapner, Kitty King, Francis Whittington and many, many more worldwide.

But, don't take our word for it - listen to all the converts!

From riding schools to Olympic mounts, WOW Saddles with Flair have developed a huge following of loyal riders who would never put anything else on their horse.

If you really care about your horse and his comfort, wellbeing, happiness, and overall health, you'll give WOW Saddles with Flair a try.

How to Order

To order, purchase this item and Delfina Saddlery will reach out to you for the additional info necessary to place your order with WOW. If you are not purchasing these panels as a replacement for existing WOW panels, be sure you've had your horse measured and fitted by a Certified WOW Saddle Fitter and be prepared to provide all necessary information to Delfina Saddlery before your order will be submitted.

If you have not already been measured and/or had your horse fitted for a WOW Saddle by a Certified WOW Saddle Fitter, Delfina Saddlery would be happy to help. Our in-person and Virtual Fittings are available using an authentic WOW Saddle Gauge to ensure you and your horse get the perfect fit. Delfina Saddlery's Certified WOW Saddle Fitters are the first WOW Saddle Fitters in all of North America to be trained and Certified by WOW at their HQ in the UK, and our team of experts would be more than happy to help you order the saddle of your dreams. Please email us, call or text us at (310) 817-6910, or submit the form on our homepage to 'Schedule Your 110-Point Horse & Rider Saddle Fit Assessment'.

Production Lead Time

Please note, all of our WOW Panels are made-to-order, by hand, by WOW at their World HQ in the United Kingdom. Please expect a wait time of 6 - 12 weeks for delivery, depending on current Production Lead Time. If you require your saddle be completed on a shorter timeline, or are concerned about the current PLT, please reach out to Delfina Saddlery prior to placing your order so we can find out if your request can be accommodated.

Additional Resources

Interested in purchasing a WOW Saddle or Saddle Part but don't know what your options are? Are you feeling a little overwhelmed with all the options available? Our totally free Custom Options Guide includes swatches of WOW's hundreds of leather choices, all thread colors, available Litex seats and SuperCool SaddleCloths, as well as handy decorating guides to help breakdown the customizable parts of a WOW. Additionally, we've also created full catalogs of every Jumping or Dressage Saddle WOW offers. These catalogs include photos of each model, prices, as well as all available options when ordering. Be sure to download your free catalog prior to placing an order for a new WOW so you don't miss out on anything!

WOW Flair Panels - Standard Ordering Options

Front Gusset

Rear Gusset

Panel Size

Panel for Sway Backs

Leather

Panel Gusset Leather

*If selecting Other, please refer to our handy Customization Guide for swatches of all of WOW's Special Leathers, Nubucks, Suedes, and more.

Flocking

Panel Taper (formerly called a Stitchline)

Roofy Wedges

Tabs