Girth question.......

[TicTac]

I have a girth that has two elasticated buckle straps and two leather. Which side should the elasticated buckles go on. Nearside or offside?

 

[curio]

offside so you dont overtighten it

 

[TicTac]

Thanks Curio

 

[curio]

thats ok

 

[wes]

What difference does it make?

I have an elasticated girth too, and have the elastic on the nearside. When first tacking up I have all buckles on the loosest holes, then tighten the non-elasticated a couple of holes, then when mounted and ridden pull up the elasticated a couple of holes.

Is there something wrong with my procedure here?

 

[brown tack]

What difference does it make?

I have an elasticated girth too, and have the elastic on the nearside. When first tacking up I have all buckles on the loosest holes, then tighten the non-elasticated a couple of holes, then when mounted and ridden pull up the elasticated a couple of holes.

Is there something wrong with my procedure here?

Thats what I do

 

[Kenzo]

I don’t see what different it makes unless you only do up your girth on a certain side every time.

Try and get a girth with elasticated ends on at both ends of the girth, Aerborn do a nice one and it’s not expensive, if the girth is elasticated just at one end you will always have more give at one side of the saddle and after time it will effect your horse, or alternate the side the where the elastic end is.

 

[mashnut]

Once worked with a horse who had an elasticated girth. It was so easy to over do it because the elastic would just give and give and give and you would be at the 6th hole on one side and 3 on the other. Then you would buckle it and the poor thing would be almost cut in two. It didn't actually need to be that tight.
Hated when clients would overtighten it when I had already checked and it was tight enough already.

 

[sbloom]

Much of the elastic on girths is much too stretchy and will lead to overtightening and/or instability. And one sided elastic can definitely contribute to instability. I hate saying it when someone already has one, or has just bought one, but centre elastic, or double ended very strong elastic is much much better.

 

[Miss L Toe]

I prefer the nearside, but I do swap it occasionally, I don't use one with very stretchy elastic as my boy can whip round, and the saddle could end up in the wrong place. The girth was expensive and the elastic very strong.
I usually do up nearside, then go round to offside to check all is correct, and put that side to where I know it will be level with nearside when fully tightened.
I always check the placement of the martingale.

 

[OneInAMillion]

You should technically have it on the offside as when you get on the nearside it leaves the stable more saddle (so I was told by a saddler)

 

[sbloom]

My logic tells me that having it on the offside would make it slip more as you mounted, you're pulling the saddle towards you, and there is elastic on the other side allowing it to move.... I think the recommendation is because you normally tighten the girth on the near side, keeping the leather straps on that side means you can't winch them up too tight.

I find that on wide fits, where saddles are potentially unstable, having double elastic as opposed to single, however strong or weak, can make a huge difference. Single side elastic can allow the saddle to move a little, then grip it into place where it has moved to. I talked about strong elastic in relation to double ended girths - many are too flimsy.