Girthing up - stretching out forelegs...

[tankgirl1]

I was taught 20 odd years ago that you always stretch out forelegs after girthing up. Then you mount and girth up again if necc.

Anyway, question is do you stretch forelegs - I've seen many over the last few months that don't - is it an old fashioned thing? It seems to make sense to get any wrinkles out near the girth area.....

 

[Emilieu]

I do and so does my saddler. Long time since I saw anyone else do it mind you! Deano loves it and puts in a big stretch

 

[lara b]

Always... But again I was taught too when first learnt to tack up 25 odd years ago!

 

[devilinajar]

I always stretch out the front legs, one of the mares i ride is very sensitive and if you forget she always ends up with a sore. Especially at this time of year when a little wooly!!

 

[PonyIAmNotFood]

I do it, its got to be more comfy. I was told that i could 'pull their legs out' by one instructor, not sure how true that is?!

 

[shadowboy]

I used to until my horses physio told me stretching out the legs like that when the muscles are cold can do some damage. So I stopped but maybe should pick it up again?

 

[tankgirl1]

It just seems common sense to give them a stretch - esp if you tack up in the stable! Surely it can't do any harm, but may make them uncomfy if you don't, so I reckon I'll continue to stretcchh post girthing up

 

[Cahill]

yes,always,horsey nearly does it on her own!
i also like to make sure that where girth,nunmah and saddle all meet are nice and smooth too.

(i never girth up all in one go,i pick feet out in between then go back and it goes up a couple of holes.hate to see people yank the girth up)

another thing i do is stand infront and check bridle is level.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Yes but no further than a step forward would take the leg.

A friend was in my stables one day when I did this and said 'Oh you do it as well, lots of people don't seem to'.

It surely must be more comfortable for the horse.

 

[Burmilla]

Do it half way out, with knee bent. Taught to do it by old groom 40+ years ago, have always done it - never been problematic.

 

[siennamum]

We only used to do it to pull hair out from between string girths, so no reason as far as I am aware to do it with leather girths or similar

 

[Honey08]

My mare picks her leg up ready after you fasten the girth, I've been doing it that long!

 

[PonyIAmNotFood]

Shadowboy, that was pretty much what the instructor who told me off for doing it was saying, that id pull something out or something by doing it. Hmmm.

 

[muckypony]

Ive always done it too, but also never reslly see others doing it!

 

[Honey08]

How far are you stretching them to do damage? Its only a gentle lift to smooth out the skin before you tighten the girth properly.

 

[PonyIAmNotFood]

That's all i do, Im not too sure how hard you'd have to pull to do any damage? Surely more than an average woman could pull?

 

[LittleGinger]

I used to, until I had the saddler out one day, saddle was on his back etc. and the saddler asked to see me ride in it. I said something like, "ok, I'll just stretch his legs and then I'll get on" and her reply (as I picked up his forelegs) was "that makes absolutely no difference to him but if it makes you happy then carry on."

Felt a bit daft then going round to do the other leg!
Now sometimes I do and sometimes I don't - I can see the theory behind it but I've never noticed a difference to be honest. When I do, I just bend his leg slightly at the knee and then bring it forward from there, I don't pull his whole leg out in front.

 

[madmav]

Shadowboy, that was pretty much what the instructor who told me off for doing it was saying, that id pull something out or something by doing it. Hmmm.

Definitely hmmmm. If a gentle stretch forward of a leg pulls something out, best not to get on board a horse that rickety!
And think it was originally thought a good idea with string girths so no skin was getting pinched. But for horses, as for humans, all stretching, gently, is a good thing.

 

[Honey08]

Definitely hmmmm. If a gentle stretch forward of a leg pulls something out, best not to get on board a horse that rickety!
And think it was originally thought a good idea with string girths so no skin was getting pinched. But for horses, as for humans, all stretching, gently, is a good thing.

It probably did come from string girth days.

I wouldn't be impressed with a saddler that made me feel silly either!

 

[Dumbo]

I always used to until a lady told me i should never do it because it causes wrinkles under the girth so i haven't since!

 

[mandwhy]

I don't, have only known one person who does it as I recall... I think all it does it smooth the skin into the right place but a step forward with each leg would do that anyway!

 

[whoatherejig]

yes,always,horsey nearly does it on her own!
i also like to make sure that where girth,nunmah and saddle all meet are nice and smooth too.

(i never girth up all in one go,i pick feet out in between then go back and it goes up a couple of holes.hate to see people yank the girth up)

another thing i do is stand infront and check bridle is level.

Me too Cahill, and check that the forelock is all facing front, and no whiskers caught.

 

[popeyesno1fan]

I always do, Shauna's pony didnt have a clue what i was asking at the start, but he's coming around. x. It tends to be old school, and those of us that were taught it, havn't forgotten it. I think it's good practice, I'd hate if my belt was pinching me, lol!!

 

[Copperpot]

I don't. I was always told by my running coach never to stretch before I had warmed myself up. I use the same analogy for my horse. Cold muscles don't stretch well. A gentle pull to free any loose skin may be on thou?

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

Yes it stems back from when string girths pinch, but my vet says never do it with current girths as you can rip muscles if the girth is done up tight! X

 

[Silmarillion]

I did with my mare as she had a very forward girthing point and would always get folds of skin caught under the girth from her "armpits". I don't with the stabled one as I don't do his girth up over-tight before he's walked round and got the girth in a comfy place.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Yes it stems back from when string girths pinch, but my vet says never do it with current girths as you can rip muscles if the girth is done up tight! X

But then those of us who were taught to stretch the legs were also taught not to over-tighten the girth!

 

[Littlelegs]

I heard it originated from string girths too. I was told to do it as a kid & the habit stuck. Especially handy I found when daughter was little & rode rather porky ponies in pony pads or cub saddles to make sure no flab was trapped between the girth straps. I'm sure it probably isn't necessary now, but I still do it with ponies, although not routinely with horses. Unlikely to do any harm, I was always taught the upper leg should only move as far forward as it does when you pick out feet. Which doesn't seem to do any harm before warming up.

 

[missroses nanna]

Instilled into me 45 years ago. Still doing it

 

[Honey08]

But then those of us who were taught to stretch the legs were also taught not to over-tighten the girth!

Just what I was going to say. you can surely do more damage tightening an elasticated girth too quickly..

Think we're getting mixed up between physio type stretches and gently stretching the skin smooth..