When we talk about saddle fitting, most attention focuses on the saddle itself—gullet width, panel contact, weight distribution. But there's a critical component that profoundly affects how your horse moves, breathes, and performs: the girth. Traditional girths, while serving the essential function of securing the saddle, can create significant restrictions that compromise the very movement and comfort we're trying to achieve through careful saddle fitting.

WOW Saddles recognized this limitation and engineered a solution: the FreeSpace system combined with the H Girth—a revolutionary approach that fundamentally changes how girths interact with the horse's body.

The Problem with Traditional Girths

Traditional long girths attach directly to the saddle tree, running from the tree points down and around the horse's barrel in the girth groove. While this seems logical, it creates several biomechanical problems that restrict the horse's natural movement:

Restriction of the shoulder: As the horse moves, particularly in extended gaits or when jumping, the shoulder rotates backward. A traditional girth positioned close to the elbow restricts this backward rotation, limiting stride length and shoulder freedom. Horses compensate by shortening their stride, moving with tension through the shoulder, or developing uneven muscle development as they try to work around the restriction.

Pressure on the sternum and ribs: Traditional girths can create concentrated pressure points where they curve around the barrel, particularly in horses with prominent sternums or when girths are tightened firmly for jumping or fast work. This pressure restricts breathing, creates discomfort, and can lead to girth galls or soreness.

Interference with the elbow: Girths positioned too far forward can rub or press against the back of the elbow with every stride, causing irritation, restricting movement, and creating behavioral issues as horses try to avoid the discomfort.

Many horses tolerate these restrictions without dramatic obvious resistance, but the subtle effects—shortened stride, reluctance to stretch, tension through the shoulder and forehand, difficulty engaging from behind—accumulate into significant performance limitations and reduced wellbeing.

The FreeSpace System: Engineering Freedom

The WOW FreeSpace system completely reimagines girth attachment. Rather than attaching the girth directly to the tree points as traditional saddles do, the FreeSpace system positions the girth attachments significantly further back on the saddle—approximately 10-15cm behind where traditional girth straps would sit.

This seemingly simple change creates profound biomechanical advantages:

Maximum shoulder freedom: By moving the girth attachment backward, the girth itself sits further behind the elbow and away from the shoulder blade. As the horse moves, the shoulder can rotate backward fully without encountering girth restriction. Horses show immediately visible increases in stride length, particularly in extended paces, and demonstrate freer, more relaxed movement through the shoulder.

Reduced pressure and better distribution: The FreeSpace position allows the girth to sit in the horse's natural girth groove without pulling forward or creating concentrated pressure points. Weight and tension distribute more evenly, reducing the risk of pressure sores and increasing comfort.

Improved breathing: With the girth sitting in the optimal position without forward pull, rib expansion during breathing is unrestricted. This is particularly beneficial for horses in strenuous work—jumping, eventing, endurance—where unrestricted breathing directly impacts performance and recovery.

The H Girth: Purpose-Built Design

The FreeSpace system works in conjunction with the specially designed H Girth—so named because when viewed from the side, the girth's shape resembles the letter H. This unique design is engineered specifically to complement the FreeSpace attachment system.

Anatomical shaping: The H Girth features contoured shaping that follows the horse's natural body lines, curving away from the elbow and lying flat against the barrel without bunching or creating pressure points. The design ensures the girth stays in the optimal position during movement rather than sliding forward as traditional girths often do.

Stability without restriction: Despite sitting further back than traditional girths, the H Girth provides excellent stability and security. The shape and design prevent the saddle from shifting or rotating while maintaining the freedom of movement that makes the FreeSpace system so effective.

Even pressure distribution: The H Girth's construction distributes pressure evenly across its entire surface area, preventing the concentrated pressure points that traditional girths can create. This is particularly important for horses with sensitive skin, prominent sternums, or those recovering from girth galls.

Quality materials and construction: WOW H Girths are made from premium materials—typically soft, supple leather or technical fabrics designed to wick moisture and prevent rubbing. Elastic inserts are strategically positioned to allow natural barrel expansion during breathing while maintaining security.

Visible Results: What Riders Notice

Riders switching to WOW Saddles with the FreeSpace system and H Girth consistently report immediate, visible improvements in their horses' way of going:

Increased stride length: Particularly noticeable in extended trot and canter, horses show longer, freer strides as shoulder restriction is eliminated.

Improved engagement: With the forehand freed from restriction, horses find it easier to lift through the shoulder and engage from behind, improving overall balance and collection.

Greater willingness: Horses who previously showed resistance to stretching forward into contact or extending often become immediately more willing and relaxed as discomfort is eliminated.

Better muscle development: Over time, horses develop more even, correct musculature through the shoulder and forehand as they're able to move naturally without restriction.

Reduced behavioral issues: Girthiness, reluctance to be tacked up, head tossing, or resistance when asked to extend often resolve when girth restriction is eliminated.

Not Just for WOW Saddles

While the FreeSpace system is integral to WOW Saddle design, the H Girth can be used with other saddles that have appropriate girth strap positioning. Many riders with traditionally-girthed saddles have experimented with H Girths and found improvements, though the full benefit of the system is realized when girth position and girth design work together as engineered in the WOW system.

The Science Behind the Design

The FreeSpace and H Girth system isn't based on marketing hype—it's grounded in biomechanical research and practical observation of how horses move. Studies of equine locomotion show clearly that shoulder rotation is fundamental to natural, efficient movement. Anything restricting this rotation—including poorly positioned girths—compromises the horse's ability to move as nature intended.

Thermal imaging studies have shown that traditional girth positions can create heat spots indicating pressure and restriction, while the FreeSpace position shows more even temperature distribution and reduced pressure indicators. Video analysis demonstrates measurably increased stride length and shoulder extension in horses wearing FreeSpace-equipped saddles compared to traditionally girthed alternatives.

Making the Switch

If you're considering a WOW Saddle or are curious about whether the FreeSpace system could benefit your horse, professional fitting is essential. While the biomechanical advantages are significant, ensuring the system is correctly fitted and the H Girth is appropriately sized and positioned is crucial to achieving the full benefits.

During a WOW Saddle fitting with The Fitted Horse, we assess not just the saddle fit but also girth positioning, H Girth size and placement, and how the complete system affects your horse's movement. Dynamic assessment—watching your horse work in the saddle with the FreeSpace system—reveals immediately whether the anticipated improvements materialize for your individual horse.

Conclusion: Freedom to Move

The WOW FreeSpace system and H Girth represent what happens when saddle design genuinely prioritizes equine biomechanics and welfare. By questioning traditional girth positioning and engineering a solution that allows horses to move as nature intended, WOW has created a system that delivers measurable improvements in comfort, performance, and long-term soundness.

Your horse's shoulder wants to move freely. Their breathing wants to be unrestricted. Their body wants to work without artificial limitations. The FreeSpace system and H Girth allow exactly that—giving your horse the freedom to move, breathe, and perform at their genuine best.

Because the best saddle fitting isn't just about the saddle—it's about the complete system working in harmony with your horse's natural biomechanics.

Interested in experiencing how the WOW FreeSpace system could benefit your horse? Contact The Fitted Horse to discuss WOW Saddle options and book a comprehensive fitting consultation.

Professional Fitting. Innovative Design. Horse Welfare First.