Advice needed please... Girth Galls

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haras

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I have a 19 year old Arab gelding who i rescued 2 years ago. Ever since I have had him, he has been prone to getting open girth galls, especially when he has his summer coat. It does not seem to matter if he is ridden for only a short period of time.

He has a new saddle, which has been fitted to him by a master saddler and adjusted and checked regularly by the same saddler, who I trust. I use a stubben string girth, which helps, but hasn't solved the problem. I have tried just about every girth and girth sleeve on the market, except leather and nothing helps.

The problem doesn't seem to be as bad when he has a thick coat, but he sweats up badly when ridden. I clipped him last night (trace clip) but left the girth area on to try to protect the area, but, firstly he looks daft
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and secondly, this only helps at this time of year and not in the summer.

Now, my thought is this.... Would I be better off totally clipping the girth area off and starting the surgical spirit treatment whilst I have easy access to his skin, or should I leave it on?

I am trying to increase his work at the moment in the hope of getting him fit for starting some veteran and novice ridden showing classes with him next year (it's taken 2 years to get him in tip top condition, bless him).

I always make sure he is clean and the girth and wash the sweat off.

So thoughts would be greatly appreciated, as apart from the galling, he really is a super little pony.

Many Thanks
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I've never tried a leather girth, I'm not sure how it would help????

The galls are right behind his elbows, as due to his shape the girth tends to slide forwards.
 
A good quality, well oiled leather girth should ensure that your horse doesn't develop girth galls. You could also look at the Wintec shaped ones. These can be cleaned so easily every time you use it - and the shape is really good for the narrower horse.

Do you clean your girth every time you use it?? And wash the girth area off properly?
 
I am paranoid about keeping him and his girth clean!

I've tried the shaped and the straight wintec girths and both made him sore. Shame, because I liked them!
 
I have had a LOT of problems with my welsh D (hardy
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) chestnut. Had him 4 years, would get a rub every 2 months or so. Now no rub for 9 monthsish since a change in girth to this. Previously doing everything as right as poss, washing etc.

http://www.4dobbin.com/product-Waffle-Atherstone-Girth-Aerborn.html

other girths tried:

thorogood version of the above caused the very original rub, elastic only one end.

leather atherstone caused rubs without nuumed sleeve, caused pressure bumps as too narrow and generally didnt seem to work although very soft

normal cotton girths- bunched behind elbows, he needed shape

string girths dont fit, they bunch behind his elbows.

I have tried a wavy girth too and that made him bleed on second ride.

He has a forward girth groove and baggy elbows, tended to get galls that eventually travelled down the back of the skin on his elbows but started further back.

He is much better clipped, particularly during periods of coat change when the hair is particularly soft, the longer the hair the more likely it seems to be to get rubbed. He regrows coat a lot so is on clip 4 or 5 so far this winter. It also means he sweats less in that area

i started with the fleece sleeve still on the aerborn one but after good results with a similar dressage one on that saddle (that I couldnt get the fleece on) I took it off and havent looked back I am soooo happy, this took 3 years to sort!

To treat if he had a gall after much trial and error I found that sudocrem or naf msm cream was the best thing to apply for hair regrowth and he would get at least 5 days off ridden work to give it a head start so lunged etc.

how tight do you girth? my saddles are pretty good so I am careful not to girth too tight unless having to get on from the ground or doing fast work. Mums horse's saddle is less good so she adds a sticky pad so she doesnt end up over girthing

I really hope this helps, that girth really is worth trying, I was sceptical to start, the thorogood causing the initial problem and have been so surprised (ps I dont work for them just happy to find a solution)
 
I forgot also tried both wintecs as liked the idea of the elastic throughout, both rubbed him sore

and SS, I think some horses are 'special'
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I though the leather girths I had would really help.
 
Just a shot in the dark hun. The crinkly "armpit" areas on older horses can become damaged and sore from years and years of constantly stretching skin and sweat build up. It's a favourite place for nasty little rodent ulcer type sores to arise for the same reason. I just wonder if the sores you are seeing aren't girth galls at all - you say they are behind his elbow. It may be that that area is now prone to skin breakdown and sores not solely related to the girth. My Highland x Sullivan (RIP) used to get crusty sore armpits and the only thing that kept them away was daily stretching of each front leg and gently sponging the sweat and ground in grit/dirt away before gently drying again.

You probably do all that anyway hun, so I don't mean to offend, it's just I remembered Sullivan when you said it was behind his elbow xxx
 
Our kwpn is very prone to girth galls tried various different girths and girth sleeves..
We then saw a girth on e-bay that is completly fur lined with both buckled sides elasticated..(will sort out a picture for you)
I can't remember now the price as purchased it a few years ago,but it works fantastic is smart looking and even has a ring if you need to attach draw reins etc...etc...
Might be worth a look on E-bay...
 
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