Can one ended elastic girth make your saddle crooked?

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1928sky

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As post title really. My saddle has a definate tilt to the side without elastic from pommel to cantle could it be the girth causing this. Saddle was fitted this time last year. Horse has taken to bearing teeth and biting when placing saddle on her back when she previously only tried to nip when girthing. She has had hind limb lameness recently so could it be a loss of muscle on that side causing the crookedness. Will try with different girth but other than that cannot decide which to call first- back lady, saddle fitter or vet?
 
Mine used to make my saddle wonky on my broad-backed Welsh Cob. I took to doing the elastic up on the right-hand side, so it was already done up, then I tightened the non-elastic side on the left. That was until she got fitter and needed a smaller girth, then I bought one with two elastic ends!
I try to get my saddler out at least once a year to check (every six months if horsey changes shape lots due to seasons/ grass etc.). If you don't think it's a serious problem then try the saddler, but maybe talk to your vet as well if you're unsure.
 
I wouldn't use a girth with elastic only on one end as it puts an uneven pressure on the saddle. Having said that, it shouldn't cause your saddle to slip to one side. Its good practise to get the vet out before the back person as usually they require the vets permission to treat your horse. I would wait and see what the back person says before getting a saddle fitter. They should be able to tell you whether your horse has sore spots on his back poss caused by ill fitting saddle.
 
I was told by a very experience physio a few years ago that you shouldn't use girths with elastic on one side as they cause uneveness in tension. I can see how that could be the case, and I haven't used one since - although I am don't know if this is a significant issue.

I use the Wintec girths that are supposed to give all the way through - I don't seem to have had a problem and never had any girth galls which my mare used to suffer with before I got her.
 
yes - get a non elastic one - wintec are good - i used to have elastic girth and felt croocked all the time - cause saddle was slipping - change to wintec non elastic and it is heaps better
 
I am very particular that my girth is even on both sides!!! I will not use a girth with elastic one side, it really bugs me, it has to be on both sides or not at all!!!! For jumping I use a stud girth which has triple elastic on both side or elastic inserts at the elbows. I make sure when I put it on that I put it on equal holes both sides and do it up alternately, not put the right hand side up on a high hole and do they left up only like a lot of people do. For dressage I like the equaliser girth with the d ring type thing and elastic over the centre, like amerigo and frank baines girths.
 
Thank you all very much for your replies, I will try a non elastic girth first and see if it makes a difference.
 
I was told by a Mctimoney chiropractor that girths with elastic on one end should be avoided. I now have either the Cottage Craft girths with no elastic or the Wintec one which has hidden elastic in the middle (chaffless ones)
 
Oh!! I think you may be on to something as I have a wintec, with an elsatci girth - elastic on the left side and I am convinced it is always slipping to the right!!! Cos my right stirrup always feels WAY longer - now I know why!

Oh well, now I have an excuse to get a new girth!
laugh.gif
 
ive ordered a stubben cord girth ive been recommended by HHO'ers, hasnt arrived yet
but the non slip pad also recommended has made a HUGE difference already, cant wait to try it with the girth
 
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