Arrrrrr .... Girth gall!!

[ihatework]

I have a sensitive, thin skinned ginger,

She is the type that rubs very easily pretty much anywhere.

Up until now I haven't had a problem with girth rubs, but for the last week or so she has had minor rubs on both sides - she wears a sheepskin lined leather girth. For the last 3 days I have changed the girth to a lovely shaped leather passier and today the result is a full on gall on one side

She has some important competitions coming up so will be trying to minimise saddling her as much as possible by lunging / ride & lead whenever possible.

Any magic tips on treatment or alternative girthing arrangements (I'm thinking pro choice ?)
Any short term solutions to try and keep her in work?

I've never had a horse gall before, gutted!

 

[Pinkvboots]

Try a anatomical girth its the only one that does not rub my arab, i have a kentaur one not cheap but they do work, you can try surgical spirit on the skin to harden the area, only once its dried up and not an open sore or it will sting.

 

[OwnedbyJoe]

Body Glide. Or similar. I kid you not, works a treat. Apply where the girth normally sits.
Keeps my Arab from galling over 50 mile rides, and stops the chafing we used to get in his elbow creases.

 

[dottieh]

Use savlon antiseptic spray to help it heal and once it has healed surgical spirit to toughen the skin.

 

[montanna]

The only way I got round this on my mare was to use one of the Stubben string girths - they aren't pretty but it really worked.

Also second the surgical spirit

 

[Capriole]

One of mine (AA) will rub in anything but a cheap cottage craft girth! Leather is a complete no-go, and she HATES sheepskin.

 

[ester]

Leather is a no go here too (another sensitive ginger!) - soft atherstone or anatomical were a no go.

aerborn waffle atherstone with elastic at both ends suits best, with addition of nuumed sleeve at troublemsome times (ie when moulting) Have also been known to use cowboy magic silicone conditioner to make the hair as slippy as possible (if it is still there).

ps also tried a stubben string but it was just too wide for him as he has a forwards girth groove and it rubbed his baggy elbows.

 

[Puppy]

I think at this time of year, when they are changing coats, they are more sensitive to rubs, my old mare certainly was. I used to use a stubborn string girth with a sheepskin cover, which worked for her. Also, as already mentioned, regularly applying surgical spirit will toughen up the skin there.

 

[fairyclare]

I am having the same problem, my girl was in an Albion legend leather shaped girth, saddler was out to adjust her wow saddle and I explained the problem to him, he said back to basics, none of these nice big wide padded girths, best thing is just a plain unpadded synthetic, Lia has got a wintec at the moment but I have just ordered her a professional choice girth.
I have been putting skin hardener gel on the little bald patch and so far so good!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

My traddie boy you would think has the hide of a rhino, but in fact he's incredibly sensitive and galls up at the slightest mention of the word "work", we were using a Wintec girth and this seemed to cut into him. So I changed to a Thorowgood cob girth with a neoprene sleeve (like the ones the Endurance people use). No more problems.

 

[ihatework]

Thanks All,
Surgical spirit and body glide stuff to be added to the expanding equine emergency kit.
Pro choice girth being borrowed to test out and a string girth on order to add to again, expanding tack box!

 

[DonkeyClub]

I think leather girths are very hard on the skin- would try one of those elastic soft/synthetic type girths

 

[redheadkelj]

I've had massive problems with girth galls on mine for the last 2 months and have found the stubben neoprene shaped girth along with daily application of surgical spirit is working wonders... touch wood...!

 

[mil1212]

I haven't ever really had a horse with girth gall issues but, I brought a pro choice girth and it caused a girth gall to a horse that has never had one before. I now would never use it again! Glad you can borrow one first, I think the material feels a bit odd, mine all use a fairly standard leather girth with no issue.

 

[BeckyD]

Check saddle fit. My horse only gets girth rubs when the saddle doesn't fit.

 

[Potato!]

My boy has developed a girth gall (well lumps rather than an open sore) I changed his girth from a leather one to an areborne waffle girth elastic at both aerborn waffle atherstone with elastic at both ends about a week ago I think I'll go back to the leather in future After applying surgical spirit.