Girth sore tips

[S.robinson]

Hiya my 27year old welsh pony keeps getting girth sores however they are on the very top of his legs (almost under his armpits?) I wonder if any one has any advise, I stretch his legs out before riding and have recently had a saddle fitter out who recommended we get a back riser which we have bought but don’t seem to be making much difference.

 

[ester]

My welshie had particularly baggy elbows!- and a forwards girth groove so would get lines up the back of his elbows. Rubbing issues always worse at coat change time. Worst culprit was leather (used harry dabbs anatomic or prolite ventech mostly, sometimes dead sheep) and he was better clipped at this time of year.

 

[S.robinson]

My welshie had particularly baggy elbows!- and a forwards girth groove so would get lines up the back of his elbows. Rubbing issues always worse at coat change time. Worst culprit was leather (used harry dabbs anatomic or prolite ventech mostly, sometimes dead sheep) and he was better clipped at this time of year.

Thank you! Will have a look at those x

 

[MuddyMonster]

Mine gets this.

I basically had to not put a girth on until they had gone down completely.

I changed girth to a Prolite and no longer stretch out his legs, as found encourage the skin to sit wrinkled up more under the elbow. To to avoid the rubs I do keep the area meticulously clean - proper groom where the girth will lie, I always sponge down the girth area with a no rinse shampoo after riding, clean my girth in the same (and then rinse it off) and then use arnica gel afterwards. That evening, I always use surgical spirit too & use it a few times a week to help harden the skin.

Mine seems more prevalent in Spring & Autumn around the coat change - so I do sometimes use a girth sleeve then, but find the sleeves can encourage more mud, dirt and gritty bits in it to rub over a ride - so a bit chicken and egg! I'd wash the girth cover after every ride, if I do use one.

He seems better when the area is clipped - so may actually clip him at the start of Spring, next year rather than last clip in January ...

 

[S.robinson]

Mine gets this.

I basically had to not put a girth on until they had gone down completely.

I changed girth to a Prolite and no longer stretch out his legs, as found encourage the skin to sit wrinkled up more under the elbow to avoid the rubs but do keep it meticulously clean - I always sponge down the girth area with a no rinse shampoo after riding, clean my girth in the same and then use arnica gel afterwards. That evening, I always use surgical spirit too & use it a few times a week to keep it.

Mine seems more prevalent in Spring & Autumn - so I do sometimes use a girth sleeve then, but find the sleeves can encourage more mud, dirt and gritty bits in it to rub over a ride - so a bit chicken and egg! I'd wash the girth cover after every ride, if I do use one.

He seems better when the area is clipped - so may actually clip him at the start of Spring, next year rather than last clip in January ...

Thank you for the advise it helps a lot x

 

[Polos Mum]

I had one that was very sensitive to sweat - so I washed him off even if only slightly damp and cleaned girth cover very regularly.

I had to cur the hair away with scissors when he first arrived so I could clean properly - it would have been too sore / lumpy to clip - he looked a bit daft but his welfare was worth it.

 

[teddy_]

I am yet to find a horse that doesn't get on with the Professional's Choice VenTech girths (even the most sensitive)!

 

[S.robinson]

I am yet to find a horse that doesn't get on with the Professional's Choice VenTech girths (even the most sensitive)!

Ah okay I’ve not heard of these before so will take a look!

 

[teddy_]

Ah okay I’ve not heard of these before so will take a look!

They're honestly super and you can just hose them off after work, providing you have somewhere it'll dry reasonably quickly.

 

[teddypops]

I have to use a stubben cord girth on my oldie, everything else runs her.

 

[Brownmare]

I am yet to find a horse that doesn't get on with the Professional's Choice VenTech girths (even the most sensitive)!

You clearly haven't met my "Princess and the Pea" mare ?? Only a Fairfax girth will do for her ?
P.S. ventech girth for sale if anyone wants it....

 

[fidleyspromise]

I changed girth to a Prolite and no longer stretch out his legs, as found encourage the skin to sit wrinkled up more under the elbow. To to avoid the rubs I do keep the area meticulously clean - proper groom where the girth will lie, ...

I changed to a polite this year for one that got sores right in armpit and it made a big difference to her. I also don't stretch legs out after hearing this can cause wrinkles.

 

[S.robinson]

Thank you everyone I’m going to try keratex mud powder as I’ve heard this helps so I’ll see how we get on

 

[sbloom]

I changed to a polite this year for one that got sores right in armpit and it made a big difference to her. I also don't stretch legs out after hearing this can cause wrinkles.

It also effectively moves the girth backwards on the ribcage, if the horse has a forwards girth groove it's likely to migrate forwards, so often taking the saddle with it and as you say, potentially causing its own wrinkles. It's not something I recommend either.

 

[rabatsa]

I had this problem with a driving pony who had very tied in elbows. An old horseman told me to put the girth in a bicycle inner tube so that it could roll with the movement. It worked very well and we only galled if I was silly enough to remove it for showing.