Girth, elaticated on one end....

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chilworth23

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debate at my yard, should the elasticated side be on left, so facing u when u mount, or on the right so opposite side to when u mount?

silly debate but got me thinking, or doesnt it matter!
 
Personal preference :)

Some people like it on the side they do the girth up on - I do as my mare likes to breath out and believe that oh no that girth can't possibly do up around me. Elastic just gives me that little more scope to yank it up! Some like it on the side the girth isn't initially done up from so you don't overtighten the girth instantly and give them some time to adjust. If my mare wasn't such a bugger with having it done up I would have it on the non mounting side...
 
I'm not keen on elastic on one side girths, but if using one I always keep the elastic on the off side, so that the girth doesn't get overtightened.
 
I believe it should be the side you mount as that would be the side you tighten last before mounting. However, I prefer mine on the offside as once on I lift up my right leg and tighten it up.
 
Some people hold the opinion that girths with elastic on one end causes uneven pressure/saddle shift and that it's better to use a girth with elastic on both ends or a non elasticated one. Having said that, I use a one ended elasticated girth and prefer to have the elastic on the near side although I've a feeling that it should really be on the offside to prevent over tightening. Ah, decisions, decisions!
 
It should definitely be on the offside, mainly because most people do their girths up on the nearside when they are mounted, so if it on the offside it can't be overtightened. I prefer ones which are elasticated at both ends.
 
the elastic on mine gets put on whichever side I put it on - I always hose down my girth after use. But then again, I do use a very high mounting block... does that excuse me ?
 
I put it on either side, but I know how far up my girth 'should' go.....I believe you should tighten the side that doesnt have the elastic on.....
 
i have a wintec fully elastic one, another one a little bigger not elasticated at all, but currently this is only one i have the fits her, she's had a growth spurt in last week it appears!

i dont get why would it overtighten if u have it on near and not on otherside?
 
Because you do up the girth on the nearside, therefore it is possible to pull up further because of the give in the elastic, the non elastic side won't go up as far.
 
Well I always thought the elasticated piece should be on the near side to make it easier to do the girth up in the first place, especially if the horse is a "bloater"! Maybe I'm wrong, but I've done it that way for years!! :o
 
Saddler was very anti, so I use girths with elastic at both ends. Bit of a pain to find them though (excluding the very expensive stud girths!)
 
Hate the one end of elastic type girths. Much prefer double ended ones. If I do have to use on though, the elastic's on the off side.
 
I prefer to use double elasticated girths.

If I have a single elasticated girth then I'll put it on the off-side. I don't like putting them on the near-side, as this is generally the side the girth is tightened from. If the elastic is on this side, then all you are doing is stretching the elastic, rather than tightening the girth. By putting it on the opposite side, then the girth will still have some give in it!
 
My saddle kept slipping to one side when I used a girth that had elastic on one side. Didn't realise this was the problem until saddler came out and recommended that we use a different girth. Now use a Wintec Elastic girth that has stretch throughout the girth not in one area and saddle has stopped slipping.
 
Carow said:
Some people hold the opinion that girths with elastic on one end causes uneven pressure/saddle shift and that it's better to use a girth with elastic on both ends or a non elasticated one. Having said that, I use a one ended elasticated girth and prefer to have the elastic on the near side although I've a feeling that it should really be on the offside to prevent over tightening. Ah, decisions, decisions!
Click to expand...

It's not a theory, there was a study on it in the US using thermography and pressure pads to measure force against the horse. Apparently singled elastic sided girths affect both pressure on the horse's back and on the saddle, and they cause increased friction on the elastic side, which can cause everything from irritation to muscle or nerve damage. Obviously it's an individual thing but it's pretty clear they're primarily for human practicality, not for horses comfort.

If I have to use one, I change the elastic over every day. Preferably I use one with elastic through the girth/at the midline or I get elastic sewn on the other end as well. I figure it's one of those things that can't hurt and might help - I've certainly had horses think so!
 
Elasticated end of girth shold be on near side to aid tightening of girth. And surely we're all experienced enough not to over tighten a girth no matter where the elastic is?
 
in the week ive used the elasticated on one side girth, the saddle has slipped im gonna give the non elasticated one ago, if it wont go round her, off to the tack shop i go!
 
Mine is on the near side, but i have a routine were girth gets done up, then i run my hand under it pulling it down on both sides then lift up the fore legs to strech my boy out. He gets winkles in his skin if this isnt done and then develops rubs,
 
Carow said:
Some people hold the opinion that girths with elastic on one end causes uneven pressure/saddle shift and that it's better to use a girth with elastic on both ends or a non elasticated one. Having said that, I use a one ended elasticated girth and prefer to have the elastic on the near side although I've a feeling that it should really be on the offside to prevent over tightening. Ah, decisions, decisions!
Click to expand...

I am in the uneven pressure camp. So personally I would swop sides each time.

I don't have an elastic girth because I don't like them that much. I like my girth tight enough just to stop the saddle slipping but thats it.

Mind you I am not riding a round pony where my saddle would slip even if it was stuck on with glue!
 
Not a fan of elastic one side. Used to have one then read the study Tarrsteps talks about, and went straight out and got the wintec girth that has stretch throughout. Saddle not slipped since. Also have a professionals choice girth for youngster with a Velcro on sheepskin liner and that has elastic both ends.
I always found if I did the girth up with elastic on off side my saddle slipped around, but J is quite round through his middle! Never been a problem since swapping firths to he wintec one tho and they aren't expensive.
 
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