forward girth groove?

E

el_Snowflakes

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 May 2009
Messages
3,318
Visit site
Hi all,

I have a bit of a problem with positioning of my saddles (both of which are fitted by qualified saddler & one being made to measure) my horse is a warmblood with a huge shoulder & forward girth groove so it's very difficult to maintain the saddle in the correct position (behind shoulder) when I girth up as it has a tendency to creep forward. Has anyone else hadn't this issue & how did you manage it? I currently use prolite shaped girths (long & short) on both dressage & jumping saddles.

Thank you.
 
One of my Arabs has a big shoulder with a forward girth groove I found a dressage saddle didn't really work for him due to the short girth and where the buckles sit, so I had short straps put on my new dressage saddle when it was made, I also use a kentaur anatomical girth which is shaped perfectly and gives his elbows clearance and still keeps the saddle in place, funnily enough I was looking at the polite girths last night they do look very good I might order one .
 
Pinkvboots said:
One of my Arabs has a big shoulder with a forward girth groove I found a dressage saddle didn't really work for him due to the short girth and where the buckles sit, so I had short straps put on my new dressage saddle when it was made, I also use a kentaur anatomical girth which is shaped perfectly and gives his elbows clearance and still keeps the saddle in place, funnily enough I was looking at the polite girths last night they do look very good I might order one .
Click to expand...

Thanks for that!

The prolite girths are great (&a good value) I would say though, that they need a wipe down after every use to prevent them going a bit sticky as they are designed to be absorbant.

The dressage saddle sits beautifully on my horse as it's busy straight behind the shoulder. In order to keep it aligned I have to girth up slightly behind the girth groove which my horse doesn't take kindly to at all- so it's a tricky one!
 
I opted for an H girth for my dressage saddle as the back girth really makes a difference of holding the second girth strap straight down and less bulk at the front. Gp wise a pro choice girth as its soft enough to bend where needed and helps with saddle stability or a atherstone girth that's slim and soft leather. I tried a bulky but cut back girth and found it was so inflexible and I think the pressure on her underneath stoped her going forward as well as she could.
 
I did! My anglo was really difficult to fit, he was in a wow and it kept shooting up his neck! I was using a qualified fitter and sms and was losing faith rapidly! She then suggested an H girth (about an 8week leadtime) in the interim i was discussing the issues with my riding instructor who is also a saddle fitter and I'd noticed she wasn't saying much so i gave her free rein to say exactly what she thought! She believed the horse was struggling to move correctly over his back due to the saddle and this was in turn making his girth conformation worse. Anyway she fitted a balance saddle (using their pad techniques ) and we haven't looked back! In fact i nearly cried as my horse 'found his back' and really lifted. And do you know what, no more girthing issues or saddles shooting forward 😊
 
You need a shaped girth I think.

I've just changed saddles and using a Stubben string girth and it's completely fine! I know people used to use this all the time and now I think maybe I have under-rated the good old string girth!
 
tallyho! said:
You need a shaped girth I think.

I've just changed saddles and using a Stubben string girth and it's completely fine! I know people used to use this all the time and now I think maybe I have under-rated the good old string girth!
Click to expand...

NEVER underate the good 'ol string girth.
 
It's a simple problem but seldom has a simple answer, and trying to fix your current saddle to stay back is unlikely to happen. Generally you need to go flatter and shorter in the seat/panel, and probably have a point strap in most cases (not the work of the devil if used correctly and the saddle is a good flat fit). Girths can help a fraction but the saddle needs to be correct to begin with.
 
Has anybody ever used a foregirth? Many years ago when I was grooming for a big dressage stable they used these on most horses.
 
sbloom said:
It's a simple problem but seldom has a simple answer, and trying to fix your current saddle to stay back is unlikely to happen. Generally you need to go flatter and shorter in the seat/panel, and probably have a point strap in most cases (not the work of the devil if used correctly and the saddle is a good flat fit). Girths can help a fraction but the saddle needs to be correct to begin with.
Click to expand...

This makes sense and I think what my saddle fitter has done. Gone for a woolbag panel and gone wider and it fits much better and is so stable.

OP, With the string girth combo, so far so good for mine who also has a forward girth groove.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top