Girth Galls

tonitot

tonitot

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What is the best way to treat them? My girl had some sores around her girth area on Friday some of which have now turned into sore lumps. She has had them before, a few months before I got her so I've always been very careful when it comes to girthing her up. The two weeks or so of riding her I've let it slip and now she has them again and I feel terrible :( they're quite sore bless her. What's the best way of treating them? I've stopped riding her and have been cleaning the scabby bits with hibiscrub in water and putting dermagel on them but I'm not sure this is right.

Lots of rich tea biscuits to anyone who can help me :o
 
Stop the Hibiscrub and use salt water instead then allow them to dry up then do as speedycivic says. You'll have to go bareback until they are hardened off enough, always make sure you're girths are always clean and that no grit gets between girth and body. If she's prone to them perhaps use a girth sleeve and always wash off her girth area so that sweat doesn't start rubbing her too.
 
Thanks Maesfen, I'll use salt water instead. I do use a thick girth sleeve on her which I normally keep clean but the last few times I've ridden her I haven't used it, I don't know why but I just haven't. I do normally always wash her off after but wednesday she wasn't too sweaty so I just left her and rode her Thursday and the sores were there Friday. It's completely my fault and I now feel awful that i've put her in pain so Im going to be incrediably careful with her from now on.
 
Have a look at her self carriage generally as it may be that she needs more balanced musculature, girth galls do occur in thin skinned horses, but it often is due to the saddle and the girth moving forwards rather than sitting properly on the horse.
I always sponge off with lavender wash or anti itch wash if there is any sweat at all, and obviously always check under the elbows after grooming and before tacking up.

I agree with salt water rather than Hibiscrub as it is gentler yet more effective.
Keep girth and girth sleeves clean.
 
batty100 said:
Agree with the points above, but have you thought about changing to a chafeless elastic girth to help prevent them coming back?

http://www.speedgate.co.uk/ecomm/for-your-horse/saddlery/girths/wintec-chafeless-girth.htm#
Click to expand...

I actually found one of these made my boy worse. Ive been having the same problem as OP with my old boy recently & invested in one of these:
http://www.rideaway.co.uk/wintec-elastic-girth/default.aspx
I havnt had a problem since using it, i do still put a girth sleeve over the top though just for peace of mind.
 
Stubben cord girths are excellent for horses prone to galls.
However check your saddle fit, girth position etc and ask yourself why she has got this sore in the first place.Don't just except that it has happened,there must be a logical reason for why this is happening.You must not ride her until these have completely healed otherwise you will be stuck in a vicious circle and your mare will soon resent you riding .
Hope you get it sorted soon.
 
Definitely go for a Stubben cord girth. My little chap is very sensitive and suffered badly from sores even with girth sleeve. Since using the Stubben he has been totally free from any signs of soreness. They are totally unlike the old type of string girths. Absolutely recommend. :)
 
BAthe in salt water and once healed rub meths into the area as it will harden off the skin. Keep the area clean and use a girth sleeve, or use one of the chafeless girths. Make sure you keep your girth clean and supple. Before riding pull legs forward to ensure that any folds of skin have been pulled through.

Please don't use Hibiscrub on open wounds - it is designed to sterilise the hands of a surgeon prior to surgery not to treat wounds with.
 
I use either professional choice or the wintec type material girths and have never had any girth galls at all

I don't like the string girths as they are more likely to pinch flesh.

Only thing I always do is wash off the girth area after riding no matter what the weather. Most of mine don't appreciate brushing out sweat and this has always worked well.

Otherwise as the others said surgical spirit, but it will sting!
 
Thanks everyone. I know why she got them, I normally always wash her off after riding but on Wednesday I didn't. I then rode her Thursday without brushing her first and Friday they were there, so it is all my fault and something I will never do again. I ride her in a racing saddle at the moment as I find normal saddles really uncomfortable (but I will get her one eventually and I'll just have to get used to it!) so use one of the racing girths normally with the fleece girth sleeve to protect her. This has worked well and the last time she got them was when she was still in race training. It's completley my fault and I promise to her that it's a mistake I'll never make again, I hate seeing her so sore and knowing I caused it :( definatly won't ride her until I'm sure they're all gone and no longer sore.
 
Another vote for stubben cord girths absolutely nothing like an old string girth, they are great for holding saddles in place on the rounder horse as well :-) x
 
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