Girth lengths - elasticated and non / partial

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I'm looking at buying a new girth as my current one is only elasticated one end which is causing or contributing to my saddle sitting wonky on my Young boy's back. Not Good.

I'm looking at girths that are elasticated both ends and baring in mind my current girth does up on the top and second from top holes I am thinking, allowing for extra stretch from the elastic both ends I should go two inches shorter than my current girth. Thoughts?
 
If it does up that high I would go down in size anyway, it's prop best to measure your current girth youself and then do same for ones you look at, as different manufacters measure their girths differently, my mare is currently in a 44" and also a 48"
 
Elastic both ends is the best choice anyway, according to master saddlers. There are one or two leather girths with elastic both ends, but they are pretty expensive.
I really like the professionals choice girths which have elastic both ends and are neoprene lined - they also grip the horse gently so they're ideal if your sadde rolls about.
 
Thanks! Yep it makes complete sense to have elasticated both ends. I've been looking around at what is available and have had several reccomendations.

I think down the line (when he has stopped growing!) I will invest in another leather girth, as I love my current one but for now I am quite drawn to the Aerborne Atherstone ones which have come highly recomended.
 
IMO as a fitter the elastic on Aerborn girths is much too stretchy. You do have to pay more to get a good girth - our Atherstones with very strong elastic are £70, Albion are similar quality but more expensive...I'm not sure about the elastic quality on other brands but I always say that you should not be able to stretch it much more than 30% in your hands. Aerborn ones that I've tried virtually double in length! And yes, definitely go shorter, you should JUST be able to get it on the first hole when first girthing up, so that it doesn't go anywhere near the top of the billets when tight. With very wide or flat horses this can really help with stability and grip, keeping the buckles near the widest part of the ribcage.
 
sbloom said:
And yes, definitely go shorter, you should JUST be able to get it on the first hole when first girthing up, so that it doesn't go anywhere near the top of the billets when tight. With very wide or flat horses this can really help with stability and grip, keeping the buckles near the widest part of the ribcage.
Click to expand...


So should I go two sizes smaller? I.e 52inch rather than 56 do you think? the billets aren't particularly long on this saddle...

I am struggling to get anything I like the look of locally so I'm going to have to buy online.
 
sbloom said:
IMO as a fitter the elastic on Aerborn girths is much too stretchy. You do have to pay more to get a good girth - our Atherstones with very strong elastic are £70, Albion are similar quality but more expensive...I'm not sure about the elastic quality on other brands but I always say that you should not be able to stretch it much more than 30% in your hands. Aerborn ones that I've tried virtually double in length! And yes, definitely go shorter, you should JUST be able to get it on the first hole when first girthing up, so that it doesn't go anywhere near the top of the billets when tight. With very wide or flat horses this can really help with stability and grip, keeping the buckles near the widest part of the ribcage.
Click to expand...

Mine doesn’t double in length, maybe the ones you have come across have been over tightened and the elastic has stretched? which I can imagine could happen quite easily, it’s probably something you’d need to keep an eye on but yes I totally agree the elastic on the more expensive girths is much better quality (thicker and not as stretchy). :)
 
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