Dressage girth rubbing grey horse

[beechtree]

My grey gelding has developed small bare patches on both sides next to his armpit, where his dressage girth goes. (I use a nice leather padded, shaped,Albion girth.)

Can anyone make suggestions so I can stop it getting worse? I’m not really keen on sheepskin covers as I worry they pinch, but I guess I have to cover the girth somehow?

Or do I try a different girth?

 

[TheMule]

I find leather can rub, especially if the girth is quite wide. I would just put something synthetic and not too broad on

 

[sbloom]

If his elbows are tight into his ribcage the rubbing could be from that, adding a cover only takes up more room. Sometimes very low profile girths, eg Stubben string, can be a better option, all depends how the rubbing is happening. And elbows tight into the ribcage often indicates less than optimal thoracic sling function too.

 

[beechtree]

Thank you that’s really interesting,

When you say low profile, I’m guessing you literally mean a narrower girth, is that right? Or shaped differently?

He’s only 5 so not in a huge amount of work yet, I’m still figuring him out (he’s Andalusian)

 

[beechtree]

If his elbows are tight into his ribcage the rubbing could be from that, adding a cover only takes up more room. Sometimes very low profile girths, eg Stubben string, can be a better option, all depends how the rubbing is happening. And elbows tight into the ribcage often indicates less than optimal thoracic sling function too.

 

[sbloom]

Thank you that’s really interesting,

When you say low profile, I’m guessing you literally mean a narrower girth, is that right? Or shaped differently?

He’s only 5 so not in a huge amount of work yet, I’m still figuring him out (he’s Andalusian)

No, thinner, a thick girth takes up space between elbow and ribcage and a cover makes that worse. PREs and Lusis are notorious for being base narrow when young, I would really work on getting that TS functioning from the ground, gives him a much better chance when you're riding.

 

[beechtree]

No, thinner, a thick girth takes up space between elbow and ribcage and a cover makes that worse. PREs and Lusis are notorious for being base narrow when young, I would really work on getting that TS functioning from the ground, gives him a much better chance when you're riding.

All noted, thank you so much!