Girth recommendations

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Boughtabay

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I had a neoprene girth on my gelding (something like this https://gsequestrian.co.uk/products...sDlKYK-DLH3-eAqra9XGn8gA22eoz3cYaAqH4EALw_wcB) & he seemed happy enough in it but my saddler said it wasn’t great and we needed something like a leather girth without elastics on the buckles for more stability & less chance of over/under tightening. I also didn’t like that it seemed to catch hairs if he was sweated up. So, when I saw a horse wearing a very lovely gel-tek girth and it was so soft, supple and squishy I thought Mr deserved one of those. Anyway, he’s clearly not the right shape for it as all the pressure seems to be along the back of the girth and he’s not happy wearing it now he’s coming back into work and slightly portly. I’m going to dig out the old neoprene one temporarily but any recommendations on what I should be looking for? Maybe just the non-stretchy “wool” backed version of the shires neoprene?
 
I usually use a elasticated either end, leather anatomical girth - it’s lovely and soft and beautifully made. But tried a Stubben cord girth the other day out of curiosity. Wow - game changer! Saddle was totally stable, he wasn’t sweaty when I got back and his stride length increased. So not sure what I do now - wasn’t expecting such a change….. 🤣
 
mustardsmum said:
I usually use a elasticated either end, leather anatomical girth - it’s lovely and soft and beautifully made. But tried a Stubben cord girth the other day out of curiosity. Wow - game changer! Saddle was totally stable, he wasn’t sweaty when I got back and his stride length increased. So not sure what I do now - wasn’t expecting such a change….. 🤣
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I’ve got a lot of old string girths in a bag I’ll have to see if any of them fit!! 🫣 I used to use them on previous horses but I never thought they looked that comfy especially on the fluffier ones 🙈 they were always very stable though! I hadn’t even thought of them
 
My mare was exceptionally unimpressed with any fancy girths. She bounced up and down on the spot snapping her teeth in disapproval in her £££s leather Fairfax 😳.

Turns out that she’s much happiest in a cheap and cheerful wintec synthetic chafeless girth. It is mildly stretchy, but does not have elasticated ends, so the saddle fitter approves. It doesn’t need to be done up tightly. I have it in normal and dressage lengths.

Mare is pretty wonky but her saddle doesn’t slip with the wintec.

IMG_1673.jpeg
 
Tiddlypom said:
My mare was exceptionally unimpressed with any fancy girths. She bounced up and down on the spot snapping her teeth in disapproval in her £££s leather Fairfax 😳.

Turns out that she’s much happiest in a cheap and cheerful wintec synthetic chafeless girth. It is mildly stretchy, but does not have elasticated ends, so the saddle fitter approves. It doesn’t need to be done up tightly. I have it in normal and dressage lengths.

Mare is pretty wonky but her saddle doesn’t slip with the wintec.

View attachment 149631
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Yes I think he’s going to be happier going back to basics and that sort of shape … so much for my big comfy purchase 😂
 
Boughtabay said:
I’ve got a lot of old string girths in a bag I’ll have to see if any of them fit!! 🫣 I used to use them on previous horses but I never thought they looked that comfy especially on the fluffier ones 🙈 they were always very stable though! I hadn’t even thought of them
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Just to clarify - Stubben cord girths are the quite wide, very softcord girth - not the thin narrow nylon string girths of the 70’s/80’s. I don’t think I’d use one of those.

https://stuebben.co.uk/en/cord-girth-with-stainless-steel-roller-buckles.html
 
Boughtabay said:
I had a neoprene girth on my gelding (something like this https://gsequestrian.co.uk/products...sDlKYK-DLH3-eAqra9XGn8gA22eoz3cYaAqH4EALw_wcB) & he seemed happy enough in it but my saddler said it wasn’t great and we needed something like a leather girth without elastics on the buckles for more stability & less chance of over/under tightening. I also didn’t like that it seemed to catch hairs if he was sweated up. So, when I saw a horse wearing a very lovely gel-tek girth and it was so soft, supple and squishy I thought Mr deserved one of those. Anyway, he’s clearly not the right shape for it as all the pressure seems to be along the back of the girth and he’s not happy wearing it now he’s coming back into work and slightly portly. I’m going to dig out the old neoprene one temporarily but any recommendations on what I should be looking for? Maybe just the non-stretchy “wool” backed version of the shires neoprene?
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I bought the geltek and had very similar issues, there is something not quite right with the fit because of the length of the elastic I found, which meant the shaping didn’t sit right. Bought in a bigger size and still same issue and even asked seller company to confirm the correct measurements from Le Mieux. I ended up buying a Fairfax which I am very happy with (Wadswick had them on sale and price difference was £30 to the gel two)
 
fornema said:
I bought the geltek and had very similar issues, there is something not quite right with the fit because of the length of the elastic I found, which meant the shaping didn’t sit right. Bought in a bigger size and still same issue and even asked seller company to confirm the correct measurements from Le Mieux. I ended up buying a Fairfax which I am very happy with (Wadswick had them on sale and price difference was £30 to the gel two)
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Interesting - it’s not just my Spanish dragon that’s a funny shape then 🙈 even if he is a bit rotund at the moment 😬
 
I have a Stubben string girth and it’s fab! You have to wash on a cool cycle or hand wash…and dry flat though or it might shrink! But it’s lovely and soft and my horse loves it! Sensitive TB loves it.

Also have a professional choice ventec girth for our wide cob, it’s brilliant and doesn’t move! She can be girthy at times and this really helps her a lot. Easy to wash etc too x
 
Boughtabay said:
Interesting - it’s not just my Spanish dragon that’s a funny shape then 🙈 even if he is a bit rotund at the moment 😬
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Mine is a Connie, but spot on weight wise for reference who isn’t particularly broad. I was so disappointed with the gel tek long girth, as I have the dressage version on his dressage saddle which I love, but the shaping just couldn’t have been right unless the girth was too long! Can honestly say the Fairfax was worth the investment and fits beautifully by comparison and worth the pennies.
 
Bobthecob15 said:
I have a Stubben string girth and it’s fab! You have to wash on a cool cycle or hand wash…and dry flat though or it might shrink! But it’s lovely and soft and my horse loves it! Sensitive TB loves it.

Also have a professional choice ventec girth for our wide cob, it’s brilliant and doesn’t move! She can be girthy at times and this really helps her a lot. Easy to wash etc too x
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My Connemara wears a Stubben cord girth most of the time but for hilly rides I use a Dever Competition girth, the velcro neoprene one, for extra grip.
This pony did not like the shaped Wintec or the Harry Dabbs Curved waffle girths.
 
poiuytrewq said:
I'd love to try a Stubben. With so many different girths available these days and so many horses taking a liking or disliking to them Its a shame there isn't a girth library! Like the bit bank type idea.
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Townfields do their own version of Stubben cord girth. I think it's around £25?

I've tried so many fancy, expensive, ergonomic, anatomic girths on Blue, and she's very firmly stated that she likes the cord girth, thank you.

(Hint for drying - hang it up and dangle a hardback book or two off the end. I find two Terry Pratchetts are just the right heft to stop it shrinking.)
 
Pippity said:
Townfields do their own version of Stubben cord girth. I think it's around £25?

I've tried so many fancy, expensive, ergonomic, anatomic girths on Blue, and she's very firmly stated that she likes the cord girth, thank you.

(Hint for drying - hang it up and dangle a hardback book or two off the end. I find two Terry Pratchetts are just the right heft to stop it shrinking.)
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They like what they like - mr didn’t even sniff at the old neoprene girth tonight 🙃
 
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