Girth for a really forward girth groove?

[tashcat]

Hi all,

I'm having a bit of a nightmare with girths and would really appreciate some help! I have a tb with a really forward girth groove and a rounded belly shape (not overweight in the slightest!) - no matter where you start with the girth, it always manages to slid right up to his elbows! This also means the saddles can slip forward.

The saddles have been fit by a trusted saddler (it was a lengthy process to say the least!) but we have had a dressage and jump mono, both fairfax perfomance, for the past year and they've really suited him. I also purchased the prolite girth at the saddler's recommendation at the same time. I got the standard (didn't realise there was a narrow, although now I am starting to wonder if the narrow would be more suitable!)

Since his coat has started changing he is developing bald patches in a few places (this happens every year, e.g. where the reins hit his neck etc and we cover him in sheepskin!) but he has started developing a rub by his elbows. I have stopped riding as not to aggravate the area and have dug out a neoprene girth (in a straight shape) to use instead of the prolite. However, I've been doing a bit of research and wondering if there is a more suitable girth on the market for his shape!

The saddler has been called but there is a couple weeks waitlist, so looking for advice in the meantime please. Thanks

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I use a kentaur anatomical leather girth on mine makes a huge difference compared to a regular one.

 

[sbloom]

MY personal approach (and I fit wider horses, average XW-XXW so they tend to have forward girth grooves) is to start the girth where it wants to be, use the point strap (fitting the saddle accordingly - flatter tree, right shape at the front) and "third" out of four, and everything should stay put. However, this doesn't always get away from the rubs, you can get girth sleeves for Prolites, but try and work out whether it's because his elbow is a little close in to his ribcage, in which case you want as thin a girth, in terms of how thick the materials are rather than more padding.

It may be that if you start the girth off in the right place you don't get wrinkling, if that's what's causing the rubbing. For this reason I'm not always so keen on pulling the front legs forwards after tacking up, it creates those wrinkles.

 

[shortstuff99]

The only one that works for my mare (who sounds a similar shape to yours) is the H-Girth. I also then put sheep skin around the straps too. It's been a life saver TBH.

 

[Cowpony]

Good luck trying to find a Prolite girth sleeve! I've been looking for weeks, and the only place that seems to have them is completely sold out. I can't even find a second hand one.

 

[tashcat]

Thank you all for your advice and recommendations - lots to look into!

@Pinkvboots and @shortstuff99 I've heard of both of those, and definitely options to explore, thank you!

Thank you @sbloom - the saddler did move one of the girth straps (I can't quite remember which one and where - I think further back?) to stop it sliding forward. I do think a thinner girth is definitely appropriate for him (he's very slender around the elbow area which is why I'm confused the saddler sold me the standard and not the narrow!)

@Cowpony I think nuumed will special make them (I noticed they wrote that beneath the listing for a sleeve for the fairfax girths) if thats any help! But for the cost of those sleeves (nearly £60!), I thought I better explore other options too!