Girth galls?

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Baycobsmum

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Hi
I'm a new poster . . Have lurked for a while and had some great advice from threads . . Now I've bought my first horse :)
A gorgeous 15h cob that is a complete star :)
I've had loans in the past and read everything I can get my hands on so I am gernerally ok with general care

However I'm feeling a bit stupid

Wednesdsy my horse just didn't seem himself. . Grumpy wanted to be left alone . . Didn't want his usual scratches ect
The day before we had a lesson n I felt the instructor was pushing me and my horse out if his natural paces too much . . Stopped a bit early as he was sweaty m walked him to cool him off

I thought he was maybe stiff for just let him have a blow with his new chum n did very little work

On Thursday he had been out and had a roll so I went to groom him . . Was not as grumpy wanted his scratched n as usual was falling asleep being groomed . . Wen I got near his girth area he reacted as if in pain . . I was of course worried n couldn't see any cuts / rubs ect . . But thought I could feel a thickness under his skin n it was obv sore wen pressure was applied but he seemed fine if I left it alone.

Went to get someone more exp . . They felt the same as me . .

He's eating n is not lame ect

I think he may have a girth gall ?
I feel so stupid as I know these are my fault n preventable . .

I honestly don't know how it happened. I always leave my girth so I get 4 fingers comfortably under neath . . N always groom him everywhere before we ride and after . .
I never leave him wet / muddy n am so cautious to mud fever ect . . I never even thought he'd get a girth gall

Just wondering if there's anything I can do to help him ?

He obvs won't b getting his girth back near him until he's 100%

His saddle back ect have s just been done as I only bought him 6 weeks ago

Thanks for reading my essay
Well done I know it's very long . .
Just feeling very stupid and like a bad owner beating myself up :/
I knew he wasn't himself on Wednesday :(
 
dont beat yourself up about it, these things happen. maybe he has just pinched it or maybe it was a bit too tight. either way its happened its a long way from his heart. we used to see a few geeting girth galls in the yard i used to work with. we used to rub aloe vear gel or "sore no more" into the area (as long as skin is not broken) and give it time to heal. we also had the facilities to swim the horses so exercise wasnt an issue really. however when first getting a saddle on again i advise you ride with a looser than normal girth and maybe a breast girth/plate.

Hope this helps and that your boy feels better soon :)
 
It happened to Shy when the new girth I was using was rubbing him, and it happened very quickly. It is so common, and the main thing is that you found the cause, and are dealing with it.

I've had great success with the Hypocare spray - a tiny bottle goes a long way. The other thing is obviously not to ride (or bareback) until it has completely healed, get a new girth, and use one of those sheepskin covers until you are sure the skin has healed.

I hate it when riders carry on riding "through girth and saddle sores", but there are some that do it. Shy had to have six weeks off due to ACNE - no way was I putting tack on the lad.

Hope that helps. x
 
Tends to occur more when the horse is not in a good strong well muscled condition as the saddle does not sit in the correct place.
Ask your instructor to check for saddle fit, and make sure the sweaty area is washed off eg with a very dilute warm shampoo.
When you have saddled up, there may be a "wrinkle" in the skin, you can pull the front leg forward to stretch the skin, this requires co-operation form horse, so maybe ask someone to show you how to do this.
 
Thanks for all ur advice :)
The skins not broken the hair is t rubbed either . .
Just keeping it clean n free if shavings ect
Just back from changing his rug n giving his breakfast
He let me touch the area and apply pressure n didn't show any signs of pain or discomfort like last night
He was very happy n whinnied at me this morning n is happily munching
Have asked the yo to have a look at him and he said Excatly the same thing
It's a long way from his heart . . Don't panic at least u know him enough to spot it and care enough to try n fix it :)
My friend (riding instructor)
Is coming on Tuesday to clip obvs if he's not right she won't but she'll give him a once over too lol :)
Just feel awful the thought that I've caused him pain
Saddle was checked 6 weeks ago but he has been getting back into work
Do u think I should get it checked again?
Thank you :)
 
Thank you very much :)
You've all been really helpful . .
Glad he seems happier today
Will get new girth and new cover n get instructor to check positions ect :)
 
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