Dressage Girths

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ecrozier

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Having finally given in to temptation and bought myself a dressage saddle (luckily it was a bit of a bargain!) I have borrowed a girth from my instructor until I can get organised myself! Lucky she happened to have an old one that fitted hanging around in her lorry.
It is an old cottage craft webbing one, with the loops above the buckles to put the girth straps through, before they go into the buckles (not roller buckles) and then there are loops below to keep the straps tidy. So it might just be the type of girth I'm using, but then I have had a dressage saddle for my older horse before and sure I remember having the same problem
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Now, what the problem is, is that when I tighten it up, I find that the flap above the buckles (which I presume is to protect the horse from the back of the buckles) tends to get all 'scrunched up'. Does that make any sense?
To a certain point I can get my hand behind it to flatten it out, but my horse is a little round barrell and I have to do the girth up pretty tight to stop the saddle slipping, and it gets harder and harder to smooth it out.
Is there a knack to this or is it just the type of girth I'm using? Also, how do you guys tighten your girths on dressage saddles once on board?!? Its so far down and my horse doesn't apprecite me hanging so far off the side! Or do you just get it tight enough while still on the ground?!?
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I've got a Cottage Craft one too and it does exactly the same thing. I thought it might have been too big hence it getting scrunched up
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I've bought another brand which is different and don't have that problem with it
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I think it was a thoroughgood (sp?) comfort one
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I have the same sort of thing on my girth but it does not scrunch up, but mine are leather so it could just be that thge webbing is softer and has lost its shape.

I don't have a problem doing the girth up, mine are in easy reach as I have to have long girths that almost reach the saddle flaps, as mine objects to the girth straps on his sides!!
 
It sounds like the type of girth you are using, ive never had that problem with mine:

Albion Humane Girth

Yes its very expensive but it holds the saddle in place really well, dosent pinch behind the shoulders and is so soft and padded. it also applies even pressure so its good for sensitive horses.
 
I use the wintec dressage (synthetic) girth. My saddler recommends it. It doesn't have elastic at one end like some do (which is supposed to be unhelpful). I've had no problems with it, had it for yonks, and it is reasonably priced.
 
Thanks for all the replies guys! Think I just need to get anew girth sooner rather than later by the sounds of things! Em, if only I'd known I could have bought that one off you - doh!!
 
it was a 24, it used to belong to Bloss but i bought her wintec one when she got her Albion last year as for some reason it didnt fit with that saddle. It didnt fit Archie either, so he got a lovely Albion one a couple of months ago instead
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