Crazy question …. But what size girth!

[canteron]

The horse (15hh) has been in a diet and the 54” girth is now done up on the tightest on both sides. Maybe a little bit more weight loss to go.
Would you go down 4” or 6”
It’s a GP saddle!
I know it’s a how long is a bit of string but I would prefer to get it right first time.

 

[Carrottom]

Is the original leather? If so it may have stretched. Also what are you thinking of replacing it with? I would definitely say 6 to 8 less.

 

[Palindrome]

You could pop the saddle on and measure what size girth would be ideal, or pop the girth on ideal hole on one side and measure how much extra you have on the other side.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Definitely measure the original girth to make sure it’s still 54 inch. I’d probably not go down more than 4 inches because if too short you’ll never get it to reach the girth straps especially if he blows out. I’ve got various sizes as they go up and down. Sometimes I’ve found that the largest is too large and the next one down only 2 inches smaller I can barely do up!

 

[canteron]

Oh thank you - it’s a fairfax so hasn’t stretched and I need to pick one up on the way to the schooling livery … decisions decision decisions!!!

 

[Carrottom]

My gp girth does up 5 holes each side and is still at 2 off the top hole. The holes are about an inch apart.

 

[sbloom]

The fact it goes up so high means yes, you need a shorter girth. How much shorter you go depends on what holes you can get in on when you first attach it, for every hole up from the lowest hole, add an inch at least (measure the gap between holes), so if it goes straight up to hole 2 on both sides go one girth size down, straight to hole 3, go two sizes down. I always recommend going for the shortest girth you can get done up, if you can keep the buckles at or below the widest point the girth will stabilise the saddle much better, and the buckles won't sit under your legs.

 

[Red-1]

I would say to measure the one you have, then measure the ones in the shop.

Girths are trickier than they sound!

For a start, I found the leather Fairfax ones fit smaller than they measure. I think it may be the padding underneath being so thick, it makes the firm leather on the outside sit further from the horse.

The shape of the Fairfax also makes it tricky to measure, if you are going against a straighter cut. But, I find them to be 2" smaller fitting than I expected.

Next, to me, the 'correct' way to measure a girth is pin bottom to pin bottom, as this is the usable space. It was always this way when I was younger. Now, however, many manufacturers use end to end, so they include the whole buckle part, so if the buckle is long, the usable length of girth will be smaller.

The moon shaped girths sit on a wider part of the horse, so that it tricky too!

 

[sbloom]

Next, to me, the 'correct' way to measure a girth is pin bottom to pin bottom, as this is the usable space. It was always this way when I was younger. Now, however, many manufacturers use end to end, so they include the whole buckle part, so if the buckle is long, the usable length of girth will be smaller.

I've always known buckle end to buckle end and the vast majority of girths are measured that way, dressage girths included which, when you're trying to fit the longest girth possible, is a nightmare!

 

[AFB]

If you're replacing like for like and yours hasn't stretched then you need to measure your girth straps between where it is and where you want it to be and downsize accordingly.

 

[TPO]

It's worth measuring your current girth because fairfax have elasticated girth straps. So while the leather might not stretch the elastic does and girth are measured buckle end to buckle end.

Not an accurate way to measure but what I've done before with too long girths is tack up then use baler twine from "ideal hole" to ideal hole and made a judgement on that size. As a girth would have extra length because of the buckles and also that the string over a girth isnt as tight as an actual girth I generally go with the closest shortest girth size. E.g if string measures 44 then I'd get a 42

 

[sbloom]

It's worth measuring your current girth because fairfax have elasticated girth straps. So while the leather might not stretch the elastic does and girth are measured buckle end to buckle end.

Not an accurate way to measure but what I've done before with too long girths is tack up then use baler twine from "ideal hole" to ideal hole and made a judgement on that size. As a girth would have extra length because of the buckles and also that the string over a girth isnt as tight as an actual girth I generally go with the closest shortest girth size. E.g if string measures 44 then I'd get a 42

Pretty sure the Fairfax isn't elasticated, I see more Prolites and the're definitely not elasticated, one of the reasons I'm not a huge fan.

I think it's easier to see how many holes the girth goes up when immediately done up on tacking up, and work out how much shorter you need to only go to the lowest holes on both sides, but call me old fashioned

 

[Red-1]

Pretty sure the Fairfax isn't elasticated, I see more Prolites and the're definitely not elasticated, one of the reasons I'm not a huge fan.

I think it's easier to see how many holes the girth goes up when immediately done up on tacking up, and work out how much shorter you need to only go to the lowest holes on both sides, but call me old fashioned

My Fairfax is not elasticated, the long or the short.

 

[Red-1]

I've always known buckle end to buckle end and the vast majority of girths are measured that way, dressage girths included which, when you're trying to fit the longest girth possible, is a nightmare!

When I was learning, in to 70's and 80's, we were always taught from the pin to pin. It is nonsensical really end to end, as some girths have short buckles (like the Stuuben string) and some long (Cottage Craft, from memory).

I am aware it has changed, but a few manufacturers seem to use the old way still, which makes finding a well fitting girth harder!

 

[TPO]

Pretty sure the Fairfax isn't elasticated, I see more Prolites and the're definitely not elasticated, one of the reasons I'm not a huge fan.

I think it's easier to see how many holes the girth goes up when immediately done up on tacking up, and work out how much shorter you need to only go to the lowest holes on both sides, but call me old fashioned

The buckle straps are strong elastic with leather sewn on. Just in case they had stretched enough to alter the size.

My mum has a prolite girth and I dont think it has the same buckle straps as the Fairfax but I've not used it enough to know 100%. Also not a fan of it, especially compared to fairfax.

 

[onemoretime]

Pretty sure the Fairfax isn't elasticated, I see more Prolites and the're definitely not elasticated, one of the reasons I'm not a huge fan.

I think it's easier to see how many holes the girth goes up when immediately done up on tacking up, and work out how much shorter you need to only go to the lowest holes on both sides, but call me old fashioned

I have a Fairfax girth here which I want to sell as dont need it and there is no elastic on it. Edited to add yes it has got elastic, the girth straps are elastic covered with leather.

 

[onemoretime]

The buckle straps are strong elastic with leather sewn on. Just in case they had stretched enough to alter the size.

My mum has a prolite girth and I dont think it has the same buckle straps as the Fairfax but I've not used it enough to know 100%. Also not a fan of it, especially compared to fairfax.

Just been to check this and you are right, the elastic is covered with leather. I gave it a pull but it doesn't seem to stretch much. I dont think people realise this about these girths though.

 

[TPO]

Am I losing my marbles or did they change? (Lost marbles more likely ?)

I only have this random photo that shows it but I was sure the girth straps were elastic

 

[sbloom]

It may be elastic but with only about 1mm free to stretch it's only allowing articulation, no stretch.

 

[sbloom]

When I was learning, in to 70's and 80's, we were always taught from the pin to pin. It is nonsensical really end to end, as some girths have short buckles (like the Stuuben string) and some long (Cottage Craft, from memory).

You could be right, although I started sitting in on BHS stages when I was a kid/teen in the early 80sI don't remember much of it at all, and only owned a horse from 1997. If you're looking for the shortest girth that will do up, then buckle end to buckle end is the one to use as the size of the buckles matters not.

 

[Annagain]

I was always under the impression that the standard gap between holes on a girth strap is 1" so if you want it to go down 2 holes each side, go down 4", if you have room for 3 holes each side 6" will do it. As others have said, make sure it's as long as it needs to be to do up easily when it first goes on. I changed mine for one 6" shorter as it was on the 5th hole both sides so I figured I could lose 3 holes each side and it would be ok but I could barely get it done up to start with so changed for the next size up which was fine.

 

[sbloom]

Even if they're not an inch exactly it's easy to measure them.