A question about long girth straps!

hayinamanger

hayinamanger

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 July 2010
Messages
2,123
Location
Devon
Visit site
:o I've never ridden in a dressage or monoflap saddle and am currently thinking about buying a treeless, which has long girth straps.

As I'm fairly ancient and not that flexible, I am concerned that I won't be able to reach down to tighten the girth once in the saddle. :D

How difficult do you find it?
 
hi, i have dressage and single flap saddles so use a short girth. I am no spring chicken and have no problem doing the girth up.It may be a problem on a fidgety horse though. I have known 2 people that have tried treeless saddles and both of them regretted them, I have noticed that there are always some for sale. Why not ask for a few weeks trial before you buy to be sure that you are happy with it and also that you can do the girth. Also if you compeate check that you will be allowed to do so in a treeless. Hope this helps.
 
Thanks, Rossiroo, very useful input. I have noticed that there are always quite a lot of treeless available 2nd hand, even the more expensive ones. I have a vision of me reaching down to tighten the girth and the whole lot sliding sideways...reckon I'm going to stick with what I'm used to!
 
I've found treeless very uncomfy. Went for a 3 hour hack in one and couldn't walk properly for a while whereas I can go out for hours in a normal one. :)

As for straps I find them hard on my boy who is very fidgety so we tend to get them done up before I get on then once he's settled do them again.
 
I've ridden in a couple of monoflap jump saddles and find it fairly easy, just have to reach a bit further :)
 
Impossible on my keen boy. He won't stand still long enough and wants to be off. I have to get someone on the ground to do them or just ride around with my girth hanging loose! I don't have a problm with a normal girth though as can do that as he walks round.
 
I wouldn't worry too much about long girth straps - you should use a girth which does up as close to the bottom of the saddle flap as possible anyway, so there's not much further to reach for the straps.

Re: Treeless - it would be good if people stopped tarring them all with the same brush. There's a world of difference between the best and the worst.
 
I find dressage girths easier to do up!

Not all treeless saddles suit all horses and riders. You need to find one both you and your horse likes. I love my freeform but hated the torsion style ones and find the heather moffett ones really uncomfy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top