Girthing up - stretching out forelegs...

Too logical to question! Old ways are not always bad. Problem is an awful lot of owners nowadays have received no formal training
 
Honey08 said:
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..
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My 'old-school' friend (even older school than me, lol) insists that a saddle should really stay put because of the rider's balance, rather than being held in place by the girth.
 
I don't tend to these days. Used to be religious about it but I don't see the need now, I have enough faffing to do with various bits of high viz, hoof boots and body protector :rolleyes:
 
I always lift the leg forward slightly and then place my hand infront if the girth and stretch the skin without stretching the leg... Have always been warned never to pull the leg forward to much prior to warming when the muscles are cold, so yes, I ensure there is no skin pinched under the girth but not in the conventional way... All stretches are done after riding when my horse is warmed up, not before.
 
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I always stretch his legs out, and if I forget he stands there waving them around until I remember! I also stand in front to check the bridle is level and make sure that where the saddle, numnah and girth all meet is smooth :)
 
Pearlsacarolsinger said:
My 'old-school' friend (even older school than me, lol) insists that a saddle should really stay put because of the rider's balance, rather than being held in place by the girth.
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I think it's relatively true. On occasions I completely forget to tighten the girth after I get on and will only realise after I've been working in all paces for some time that you can actually see air between my girth and the horse - whoops!

Much easier to do if you've got a horse with a bit of a wither though, and a saddle that fits correctly.
 
Was never taught to but did start doing it at the request of horse's owner.
Would probably continue doing it if my hypothetical-pony ever became real.
I also check the bridle for straightness and sort out whiskers/forelock :)
 
xspiralx said:
On occasions I completely forget to tighten the girth after I get on and will only realise after I've been working in all paces for some time that you can actually see air between my girth and the horse - whoops!
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I once forgot to do up the girth and only realised when my horse spooked sideways :eek: The saddle & I slipped the other way and I did an impromptu panic-and-rebalance-quick before we regained harmony :cool:
 
I do it. There are always wrinkles of skin under the girth and it pulls them flat. You can't "pull the leg out", horses have no collar bone or shoulder socket and you support the knee with your hands. I normally support the fetlock too and let the horse pull back against me if it wants. I figure the horse isn't going to over-stretch itself.
 
I've always done it since I got my first horse over 30 years ago. My boy now presents his legs one at a time for stretching after I've girthed him (and after running the gauntlet of gnashing teeth, ears flat back and overall grumpiness).
I was told years ago that it ensured the girth didn't pinch and it help it set in the right place. Not sure if it makes a difference or not but old habits die hard so I'll continue to do it until someone tells me otherwise.
 
I was taught to to prevent wrinkles. I usually just lift it slightly without the leg stretch and let my ponies decide if they want to go for a big stretch. My horse usually goes for it with a giant chest to the ground type that I can hardly hold whereas my pony prefers to be gently lifted from the knee area so no wrinkles but no stretch.
 
I always used to - but my saddler told me it was not good for the horse to do it - cant remember quite why but I think it was something to do with overstretching the muscle before the horse had warmed up properly.
 
I don't and have never been taught to when I worked for a very well respected old fashioned yard and that was the days of the old string girths. We ran our hand under the girth instead.

My physio was going on about it recently and how she wished folks didn't do it.

Can I ask a numpty question to those who do, what difference does stretching the leg do compared to the horse stepping forward and moving that leg when you lead them forwards? I honestly can't see it doing anything different?
 
Snowedinuk said:
I don't and have never been taught to when I worked for a very well respected old fashioned yard and that was the days of the old string girths. We ran our hand under the girth instead.

My physio was going on about it recently and how she wished folks didn't do it.

Can I ask a numpty question to those who do, what difference does stretching the leg do compared to the horse stepping forward and moving that leg when you lead them forwards? I honestly can't see it doing anything different?
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Very possibly no difference but that would be that answer to the physio as well.
 
Always done it my old boy did it himself lol Bonnie knows to do it too girth up gently hole by hole had stretch and then just before I get on double check it once on double check again
 
I do it with my 16.2 WBxTB when I tack her up but most of the time she'll take it to extremes and end up bowing. It's ridiculous! She's such a numpty for a big horse - she's more like a circus pony :rolleyes:
 
Only done it when specifically requested by one (elderly) owner. Not on any others I've ridden since being taught that it can do more harm than good if you over-stretch.

As others have said, if only doing it gently like a step then not going to do more than horse actually stepping which I did encourage with one sensitive one (lead in circle between girth holes to calm/change scene).
 
Cahill said:
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.
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This. I always do it . . . and I always check there are no rucks under numnah, bridle is level, nothing is caught, etc. KaliBear obviously loves it because he gives me his leg.

P
 
FfionWinnie said:
I don't tend to these days. Used to be religious about it but I don't see the need now, I have enough faffing to do with various bits of high viz, hoof boots and body protector :rolleyes:
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This, but only mainly because I forget to do it as I'm busy doing X, Y and Z!

Although I will prob be more conscientious and do it more when I get back on the 4yo in the new year! He is a sensitive soul....
 
i always used to do it, was taught 20 odd years ago to do it but last time my saddler was out she told me off for it and said the first step the horse takes they smooth out any wrinkles themselves anyway.
 
Yep I do. I can imagine it would be a little uncomfy having wrinkles underneath, although they would gradually work out with movement I guess.
 
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