Girth Sleeves

[Annagain]

Since being clipped Wiggy has been a bit grumpy about having his girth tightened. It's minimal, a very slight grump face and maybe a twitch. Most people wouldn't even notice it but he's so perfect in every other way, I do. I was warned when I bought him it was the one thing he was less than perfect with and have always been extra careful doing up his girth but it's not been a problem until now, not that you can really call it problem even now. He obviously feels a bit sensitive there though so I thought I'd try a girth sleeve to help him be a bit more comfortable.

I've never had cause to buy one before so my question is sheepskin, wool or neoprene?

Any recommendations - or would a different girth be helpful? He currently has a very basic Wintec one, which hasn't been a problem on any of my other horses.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

My 2 get a bit like that when clipped I find if I literally just do the girth up very loose to start and leave it for a bit then literally do it up one hole at a time they are fine, and then once the coat grows a bit they are back to normal but if your wanting a girth sleeve I would go with sheepskin or wool over neoprene.

 

[Annagain]

My 2 get a bit like that when clipped I find if I literally just do the girth up very loose to start and leave it for a bit then literally do it up one hole at a time they are fine, and then once the coat grows a bit they are back to normal but if your wanting a girth sleeve I would go with sheepskin or wool over neoprene.

I've always done that with him anyway as I was told he didn't like having it done up quickly. Thanks.

 

[sbloom]

Just bear in mind it makes the girth bulkier, if your horse's elbows are very close to the ribcage (often a sign they're a bit shut down in their thoracic sling, very common and generally improvable) then it may rub, ironic when so many are bought to stop rubbing!

 

[Annagain]

Just bear in mind it makes the girth bulkier, if your horse's elbows are very close to the ribcage (often a sign they're a bit shut down in their thoracic sling, very common and generally improvable) then it may rub, ironic when so many are bought to stop rubbing!

Thanks - he's got quite a gap there, thankfully. He does seem a bit prone to rubbing though, he arrived with a spur mark and has a rub on the inside of a back leg from the leg straps on his rug - I've changed it to a fillet string now.

 

[Barton Bounty]

My boy is the same if the girth is done up quickly, he doesnt like it. I used to use an anatomical anti chafe synthetic girth, and have just purchased an anatomical one which is a slightly different shape and fleece lined so hoping that might help ?

 

[Skib]

I bought my old share a nuumed girth sleeve. Wool.
It replaced the previous one which had been washed to death.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I liked the Shires fake sheepskin one when I used one briefly- I think it is called Super Fleece?

I hated wool or sheepskin as found them a real faff when wet and muddy in winter!

@sbloom Thank you for that info re elbow, rib and thoracic sling, that is really interesting

 

[Ratface]

I use a fluffy fake sheepskin girth cover over my neoprene anatomical dressage girth. I have four, and always use a freshly-washed one each time.
Horse is a thin-skinned drama queen, and would definitely throw his toys out of the pram if he felt his skin being pinched.
I also do the girth up in incremental stages, very gently.

 

[Jenko109]

KM elite do a beautiful, albeit expensive girth sleeve. It's so soft its unreal.

EtA it's not unreal. It's real wool ?

 

[Ratface]

Jenko 109, yes, I have two. They are indeed incredible. I've had two for at least twenty years, washed and worn every week and still looking brand new.