Advice re monoflap saddles and short Girths

[ClaireM4]

I am trialling a monoflap sj saddle at the moment and have borrowed a really nice anatomical leather girth. My mare is girthy and sensitive atthe best of times. She was no worse doing up the short girth and the saddle seems to fit very well. She went really well, but she seemed to struggle a bit going into canter and went disunited once. She does struggle a bit normally in canter on a circle and I feel she needs the physio, but sadly my physio, who is the only one I trust, is off sick at the moment! ? She normally canters fine on the straight, but ran in trot a bit with the monoflap and short girth.
Any thoughts anyone?

 

[be positive]

The saddle may be putting you in a different position, even a tiny change can feel very different for the horse, if she usually struggles on a circle I would not blame the saddle or girth as such for her being a bit worse, continue to try it and see if she improves, it is a tricky one as she may need physio and you may benefit from a lesson so the eyes on the ground can see if anything else is going on.

My instinct would be if she is no better or worse the next ride or two send the saddle back and wait until you are better set up to try another one, in my experience if the saddle fits well and the rider is comfortable in it the horse usually goes better, sometimes very obviously, but there are always exceptions.

 

[milliepops]

I'd agree with BP but also add, how long is your short girth - sometimes people use short girths that are too short for their horse/saddle combination and can end up causing discomfort. Ideally the buckles should be close to the bottom of the saddle flap giving plenty of clearance around the elbows.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I'd agree with BP but also add, how long is your short girth - sometimes people use short girths that are too short for their horse/saddle combination and can end up causing discomfort. Ideally the buckles should be close to the bottom of the saddle flap giving plenty of clearance around the elbows.

I’ve always wondered this. Bought one about 5 yrs ago and having never needed a short girth before went on he advice of the saddler but always wondered if it were actually too short. It’s no where near the flaps.
Thanks!

 

[milliepops]

I’ve always wondered this. Bought one about 5 yrs ago and having never needed a short girth before went on he advice of the saddler but always wondered if it were actually too short. It’s no where near the flaps.
Thanks!

there's silly rules floating about like deducting 20" off your long girth etc but that all depends on the length of the saddle flaps and the shape of the horse I would say many people you see out and about could do with a longer short girth.

 

[ClaireM4]

there's silly rules floating about like deducting 20" off your long girth etc but that all depends on the length of the saddle flaps and the shape of the horse I would say many people you see out and about could do with a longer short girth.

Right, I shall definitely look into this, I will speak to the lady I’ve got the saddle from as she seems fairly sensible ?

 

[poiuytrewq]

there's silly rules floating about like deducting 20" off your long girth etc but that all depends on the length of the saddle flaps and the shape of the horse I would say many people you see out and about could do with a longer short girth.

He’s never had a long girth so I’m none the wiser ?
I have since bought a longer one but still maybe could be longer.
Op, you say you think it could be a physio issue rather than saddle. Do you still have your old saddle? I’d try going back to that just once or twice and see if she canters normally?
That would give more of an idea as to wether it was the new saddle she’s objecting too?