Benz equestrian, banana/moon/crescent girth

[Amylea]

Has anyone bought any saddlery etc from Benz Equestrian? I came across them on my search for a girth for my pot bellied mare.

The second part of my question is about a girth. My horse has a wide rib cage and until I can distribute this 'wide rib cage' around the rest of her body, hopefully her bum, I'm having a problem with the girth pulling the saddle forward. She has just had a monoflap saddle fitted professionally, and now I'm looking for girths. I have a frank Baines one, but it has rubbed her leg very quickly, never mind that 5 mins into the ride I'm sat too far forward.

I'm looking for a moon girth, but lots I find seem to be bending the wrong way, curving to the back. But the descriptions still say they are for my shaped mare, but it seems counter intuitive when you see photos of them laid flat.

I've attached photos of 2 I've found that aren't crazy expensive and bend the 'correct' way, but they weren't that easy to find. Unless I'm being really stupid? Which definitely isn't impossible!

Photo of the dumpling also attached, this is after being ridden.

Any tips/ advice /experience would be hugely appreciated.

 

[Dam1]

Hi
I've got one similar but use it the other way round so the cut out part is behind the elbow if that makes sense and then doesn't rub. Have you tried it the other way round ?

 

[ycbm]

I use these if a want a banana girth. I think you might have the girth in your photo round the wrong way.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[sbloom]

I prefer W girths as they have elbow shaping and a curve, Mattes make some, there are others, Total Comfort I think is a good one. You're trying to curve the girth forwards, give elbow relief AND not have more pressure on either edge of the girth. A simple banana girth can be used either way around.

Saddles that run forward might not actually truly fit but equally if horses aren't lifting in front correctly then their slightly compromised (and I should say it's not uncommon at all, not dissing you!) movement behind, and slope forwards in many cases, can make a saddle run forwards. Even the rider can contribute substantially to a saddle moving forwards.

What did the fitter recommend? I would run anything you look at past them, they'll have to fix any issues going forwards.

 

[Barton Bounty]

It does look like its round the wrong way, try turning it round

 

[Amylea]

Hi
I've got one similar but use it the other way round so the cut out part is behind the elbow if that makes sense and then doesn't rub. Have you tried it the other way round ?

Hi, the one I have on her there is the same on both sides, you just can't tell from the photo because the straps pull it so much that it doesn't sit straight at the buckle.
I'm not sure whether to go for an elbow cut out (they seem to curve backwards or be straight), or a smooth crescent with the curve sitting forward and then the straps hanging straight down.

 

[Amylea]

It does look like its round the wrong way, try turning it round View attachment 113338

Hi, the one I have on her there is the same on both sides, you just can't tell from the photo because the straps pull it so much that it doesn't sit straight at the buckle.

I'm not sure whether to go for an elbow cut out (they seem to curve backwards or be straight), or a smooth crescent with the curve sitting forward and then the straps hanging straight down.

 

[Amylea]

I prefer W girths as they have elbow shaping and a curve, Mattes make some, there are others, Total Comfort I think is a good one. You're trying to curve the girth forwards, give elbow relief AND not have more pressure on either edge of the girth. A simple banana girth can be used either way around.

Saddles that run forward might not actually truly fit but equally if horses aren't lifting in front correctly then their slightly compromised (and I should say it's not uncommon at all, not dissing you!) movement behind, and slope forwards in many cases, can make a saddle run forwards. Even the rider can contribute substantially to a saddle moving forwards.

What did the fitter recommend? I would run anything you look at past them, they'll have to fix any issues going forwards.

Thanks for the reply. Saddle fitter said the main thing I need to do is get rid of her belly . She has a wide rib cage too, Which the saddle is fitted for, but the extra belly is my main problem with the girth. She thinks with the undercarriage lifted, the saddle will be perfect. I just have to get there without rubbing her elbows or me sat on her wither. I do pony her and lunge her, so I'm not riding all the time. And don't worry, no dissing, she lifts nothing! She's 5 and I've basically done nothing with her and she's naturally sloppy.

The girth I have on her in the photo is straight, the metal under the buckle rubbed her elbow almost immediately.
You think a curved W would be better than a banana? I think because the W girths are curved to the back, I'm imagining her belly pushing the front cutouts really forward, if that makes sense? Whereas when I picture a banana one with the curve forward, I'm avoiding the belly as much as possible.

If I had any money, I would buy a few different ones and try them out. But they're so expensive.

As a disclaimer, I work in racing and have no idea about proper saddles etc!

Thanks !

 

[Amylea]

I use these if a want a banana girth. I think you might have the girth in your photo round the wrong way.

Pardon our interruption...

Hi, the girth in the photo is the same on both sides, it's just pulled so much the straps make it look curved like that.

I've been looking at that very girth! Would you recommend??

thanks

 

[Barton Bounty]

Hi, the one I have on her there is the same on both sides, you just can't tell from the photo because the straps pull it so much that it doesn't sit straight at the buckle.

I'm not sure whether to go for an elbow cut out (they seem to curve backwards or be straight), or a smooth crescent with the curve sitting forward and then the straps hanging straight down.

I like the one that sits forward, he seems to like it, I think its trial and error

 

[Amylea]

Yeah, expensive errors . At least there is eBay/FB now, to move stuff on.

My small brain can't work out the physics of the ones with the cut out, why they would curve to the back (and be described as ones for large rib cages), because surely that will just push it all more forward . But 90% are back curving crescents with elbow cut outs, all advertised for my purpose. The forward sitting one you like seems to make most sense. Can you recommend a make?

 

[Barton Bounty]

My one is the shires armafleece anatomical with the crescent at front. It comes without the fleece too. I like the fleece as it contains the sweat. Its easy cleaned and Its not too expensive.

 

[Amylea]

Thanks

 

[ycbm]

Hi, the girth in the photo is the same on both sides, it's just pulled so much the straps make it look curved like that.

I've been looking at that very girth! Would you recommend??

thanks

Absolutely, I have a set with almost every size, I've been using them for years. Very robust. They are so easy to clean, too.

What size do you need, I have 28 and 30 I can't use that you are welcome to.
.

 

[Amylea]

Absolutely, I have a set with almost every size, I've been using them for years. Very robust. They are so easy to clean, too.

What size do you need, I have 28 and 30 I can't use that you are welcome to.
.

Amazing! The ones I have on her in the photos are 28. Do you think a 30 would be better? She's only a 15.3hh TB, how can she need such a big one . How much would you like for it?

 

[Polos Mum]

I have a W shaped one with cut away for the elbows and synthetic one of a non fashionable brand (as it was about girth 8 which was getting expensive)

Try buying second hand and then you can get right colour / better when you know which works - rather than buying new each time just to try for 10 mins.

I also use my W one definitely the "wrong" way around - with the bit that is supposed to be under belly in his v forward girth groove which then stops the rest of it running forward (similar shaped horse to yours - with big rib cage)

Hopefully a temporary measure but he goes really nicely with it 'wrong' and he is the best judge of his own comfort.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I use a anatomical girth on mine it's cut away where it sits at the elbow so no rubbing.

You could take the girth higher so its clear of the elbow completely that would help, it can definitely go higher than you have it.

 

[Amylea]

Thanks !
Yeah, that's already a 28" and she's not very big . I think I'll get a 30".

 

[southerncomfort]

My one is the shires armafleece anatomical with the crescent at front. It comes without the fleece too. I like the fleece as it contains the sweat. Its easy cleaned and Its not too expensive.

I think this is the one I'm going to try next.

Bo has made his feelings clear about his Prolite girth!

 

[ycbm]

Amazing! The ones I have on her in the photos are 28. Do you think a 30 would be better? She's only a 15.3hh TB, how can she need such a big one . How much would you like for it?
View attachment 113366

You can have it if you PM me your name and address but you should definitely go for the 30 and personally I would go for 32 as the biomechanics evidence is clear that the buckles should be as close to the bottom of your flap as possible. I have a 32 but it I won't know if I can let it go until next week.

 

[Amylea]

I have a W shaped one with cut away for the elbows and synthetic one of a non fashionable brand (as it was about girth 8 which was getting expensive)

Try buying second hand and then you can get right colour / better when you know which works - rather than buying new each time just to try for 10 mins.

I also use my W one definitely the "wrong" way around - with the bit that is supposed to be under belly in his v forward girth groove which then stops the rest of it running forward (similar shaped horse to yours - with big rib cage)

Hopefully a temporary measure but he goes really nicely with it 'wrong' and he is the best judge of his own comfort.

Aarrrrggghhhhh girth 8!!!!
Yeah, I'm skint (obviously because I have horses), it's taken me all winter to save for a saddle, and now the girth .

That's what I mean about the w ones being curved away from the girth groove. It seems that the belly will just push it more into the armpits, despite there being cutouts. But they are advertised for large rib cages. That's why I started looking at the plain crescent shaped ones that sit in the girth groove, because surely you can't defy physics. . It's a minefield.

 

[Fieldlife]

Aarrrrggghhhhh girth 8!!!!
Yeah, I'm skint (obviously because I have horses), it's taken me all winter to save for a saddle, and now the girth .

That's what I mean about the w ones being curved away from the girth groove. It seems that the belly will just push it more into the armpits, despite there being cutouts. But they are advertised for large rib cages. That's why I started looking at the plain crescent shaped ones that sit in the girth groove, because surely you can't defy physics. . It's a minefield.

I went through a phrase of trying different girths (my horse has forward girth grove). And I need long and short girth.

I found some different makes come up big / small as well. I was very careful trying on, snd distance selling means can send anything bought new back e within 14 days.

I ended up with Busse 54inch long curved girth wintec cair curved short girth (old discontinued style).