Elasticated girths...yes or no?

[Bobthecob15]

What are peoples opinions on elasticated girth? I really like them for ease of doing up but our saddle fitter said she didn't like them as it can affect the balance of the saddle...has anyone else experienced this? We have one with elastic on one side of the girth

Are they better if they have elastic both ends? If so can anyone recommend a good one? Thanks

 

[Barton Bounty]

I hated elastic girths before I tried the shires armafleece. It is elastic both sides and BB goes lovely in it and seems to really like it

 

[sbloom]

Elastic one end is the worst option, beyond that stick with what your fitter recommends as it can depend on how they fit a saddle, what the saddle is etc. I like strong elastic both ends or the Stubben cord girth which isn't elasticated.

 

[meleeka]

Elastic both sides is better I think. It was the only thing that worked on my barrel of a cob. I think I had an HKM one.

 

[magicmoments]

If I remember correctly, Russell Guire did some tests a few years ago. None elasticed was better, but if you do have it, both sides is better. I think the tendency to over tighten an elasticated girth can be an issue.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Elastic both ends is better especially for stability but I found with my very round flat Arab a non elastic leather girth worked well on his show saddle, but I use a dressage saddle for him now and use a flexigirth they are great no slipping or movement at all now, they have an elastic insert in the middle of the girth, great invention I've bought quite a few from them over the years they are a lovely small company to deal with they are so helpful would definitely recommend.

 

[teacups]

I have a Harry Dabbs elasticated (both sides) one: my saddle fitter likes it.

 

[webble]

I like elastic girths but as above it needs to be both ends and don't be tempted to over tighten

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Elastic one end is the worst option, beyond that stick with what your fitter recommends as it can depend on how they fit a saddle, what the saddle is etc. I like strong elastic both ends or the Stubben cord girth which isn't elasticated.

This.

Mine are all elastic both ends or non elastic, synthetic or leather. Would never have elastic one end only as they can cause the saddle to shift over a bit.

 

[JBM]

shires anatomical girth elastic both ends my mare goes 100 times better now and not girthy anymore

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

I've got a HY elastic girth, and it's later me forever. I don't think it effects the Ballance of my horses, but others may beg to differ, as one of my close friends had a lot of trouble with elasticated girths, slipping ect.

 

[Cragrat]

I jumped off my horse at the end of a ride, and before I loosened the elastic girth, she took a big breath. I was gobsmacked by how much her rib cage expanded and the girth stretched. I have always stuck with double ended elastic since then.

 

[Bobthecob15]

shires anatomical girth elastic both ends my mare goes 100 times better now and not girthy anymore

Thank you I've just been to the tack shop and bought one!

 

[JBM]

Thank you I've just been to the tack shop and bought one!

Let us know how goes

 

[silv]

Elastic at one end is not recommend. Both ends is ok but I see so many folks over tightening them.

 

[Fieldlife]

What are peoples opinions on elasticated girth? I really like them for ease of doing up but our saddle fitter said she didn't like them as it can affect the balance of the saddle...has anyone else experienced this? We have one with elastic on one side of the girth

Are they better if they have elastic both ends? If so can anyone recommend a good one? Thanks

I’ve got a Busse anatomical girth with strong elastic both ends. Was the only thing to suit forward girth groove and long enough, after much searching. Needs 54 inches.

Dressage old style CAIR wintec girth. Again cut for forward girth groove. No elastic.

Don’t think the elastic makes a huge amount of difference the shape what’s important relative to the horse.

 

[millikins]

I think you have to ask the horse too. First pony mare liked an elastic girth, (both ends), connie didn't at all. Dales mare has a fake Stuben string one which she seems to go well in, I expect because it holds the saddle very still and is wide-like her

 

[dottylottie]

definitely elastic both sides over just 1, and i have it even on both sides

 

[Jellymoon]

Ask the horse: mine hated a lovely leather padded anatomical non-elastic I bought for him at vast expense, but loves his really ugly fluffy pro choice elasticated. First time I went to do it up, he started gnashing his teeth at me, and then stopped when he felt the fluffy touch him, and hasn’t tried to rip my head off since.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Ask the horse: mine hated a lovely leather padded anatomical non-elastic I bought for him at vast expense, but loves his really ugly fluffy pro choice elasticated. First time I went to do it up, he started gnashing his teeth at me, and then stopped when he felt the fluffy touch him, and hasn’t tried to rip my head off since.

Mine is the same, we have a fluffy but I tell myself, its not a fashion parade lol as long as he is comfy

 

[Pippity]

While I avoid one-ended elastic like the plague, I listen to the horse otherwise. I've tried all kinds of fancy, expensive girths on Blue and she's happiest with a non-elastic cord girth.

 

[Bobthecob15]

I'm not a fan of the fluffy!! Went for a non fluffy double elasticated one, will see what happens then perhaps bite the bullet and get fluffy if needed

 

[sbloom]

Please make sure when purchasing elasticated girths that the elastic is strong, it should be very hard to stretch it. The only one with stretchy elastic that still seems to usually work is the Professional Choice, though I don't personally like them that much I don't think the soft elastic is the issue. Cheap girths (£20-30, and there are a LOT of them in the neoprene/waffle variations) almost always have too soft elastic.

 

[SantaVera]

Elastic both ends my horse has a shires one