Anyone had a girth custom made?

[soloequestrian]

My mare has a backwards girth groove, so the opposite to many horses. The only girth I can find that's designed to help stop the saddle slipping back is the Mattes Athletico. I ordered one, waited about 10 weeks for it to be delivered only for it to be too short - the measuring instructions don't match the girth measurement. The seller is very apologetic but Mattes themselves seem to be being totally useless and I would gladly tell them to stuff off if only I could find another make of girth that would do the same job. I'm wondering about having one custom made - she can't be the only horse in the world with this conformation so I'm hoping there might be saddlers out there who could help us. Anyone tried this (for any conformation, not just this one)?

 

[GreyDot]

Yes, I had one custom made, it cost an absolute fortune (£450) and a few years later my boy had seriously changed shape (became much, much fitter and leaner) and it no longer fitted. I managed to sell it on eBay and now have a balance girth which works really well. My issue was a forward girth groove and a barrel shape (conformation mainly, but also a good doer).

 

[Lucky Snowball]

I had a girth made. I wanted an Atherstone with elastic both sides the same colour as my saddle. A local saddler who was reflocking the saddle for me offered to make me the girth. I had one which I wanted copied but was the wrong colour. I paid cash upfront.
When I went to collect it I was shocked / appalled / disappointed. The elastic was so thin and weak. Only an inch wide and only double thickness. Only one line of very wonky stitching and the two ends were different - one had the straps set at angles and the other straight.
It was not fit to hold up a pair of trousers let alone half a ton of horse going XC.
It was really embarrassing having to ask for a refund and now I don't feel confident using the saddlery at all.