Girths - elastic or non elastic

[Achinghips]

Saddle fitter has recommended a non elastic girth, esp those with elastic on one side as this can cause uneven wear/weight distribution/pulls rider to one side/overgirthing/uneven flocking. Non elastic seems impossible to find, apart from those "apparently" dangerous humane girths. Any thoughts?

 

[ellis9905]

That's interesting as my new horse has a girth that is elasticated at one end, and the saddle gradually works it way to one side. Been fitted in two saddles and both used this girth and both did same thing- got me wondering now if the girth plays some part in this now!

 

[Irishbabygirl]

Quite a lot of the older leather girths don't have elastic if you don't mind a 2nd hand one. In fact I have two on ebay atm!
My saddler was up the other week and said the same thing.

 

[Donnie Darco]

Hello IrishBabyGirl

What size are your girths? I might have to gazump someone on eBay! (If that's allowed??!!)

Having said that I have no idea what size she (my Irish baby girl ) needs, her dressage girth was 26" ?? We're back in non dressage saddle currently

Anyway, sorry OP to digress, my wow fitter is against elastic girths, says it causes uneven pressure, not as secure, can allow saddle to move around

And we're trying to do the best for our horses it's a minefield

 

[jeeve]

I had to buy an elastic girth the other day, elastic both sides, and can see that that will be the first thing to wear. But all the girths in the correct size were elastic, will be making sure that I do not buy them again.

 

[CobsGalore]

Sorry, but what is dangerous about a humane girth!?

 

[Irishbabygirl]

DD I'll PM you!
I too would love to know why a humane girth is dangerous!?

 

[PapaFrita]

Either non elastic or elastic at both ends and adjust from both sides.

 

[PapaFrita]

Sorry, but what is dangerous about a humane girth!?

It's very easy to overtighten them

 

[zoon]

If the single strap or one of the buckles goes then your saddle comes flying off. If this happens on a normal girth you still have one buckle strapping you down!

 

[kerrieberry2]

also with the humane girths if you look at them properly they only take the pressue down the centre strip of the girth, we looked at my friends one that she got for her just back youngster and the strip down the centre was no more than 1cm wide! and the metal buckle that the straps feed through looks like they take on a lot of pressue too!

 

[TigerTail]

http://www.mikmar.com/bit-pages/Dressage-girth.html

Im looking at this one atm - havnt told my bank account yet though

 

[scribble]

My saddler (who is team GB saddler) said dont use elastic girths as they can be overtightened.

 

[Daytona]

Defo not one side, two sides but further down the first not at the buckles. Shires do a good leather one like that .

A vet specialist vet in Neuro-Muscular Therapy who looked at my horse said they were the best girths. It would appear girths can cause a lot of muscle pain to horses, esp short dressage ones. He said a girth with elastic further down it was the best type allows the horses rib cage and muscles to expand as they move and breath.

 

[CrazyMare]

Townfield Saddlery do leather girths with no elastic for about £40.

I have lots of these in a variety of sizes!

 

[Perissa]

My saddler and my physio both say to not use elasticated girths, even the ones that have centre elastic and those with elastic at boths ends.

 

[FfionWinnie]

Is there something wrong with plain old cottage craft 12.99 girths with no elastic. Hope not!

 

[TigerTail]

My saddler and my physio both say to not use elasticated girths, even the ones that have centre elastic and those with elastic at boths ends.

What is their reasoning? The horse has to breathe so a little give surely is more comfortable. And it has to be throughout else the saddle will not be stable

 

[Cortez]

The only girth gall I've ever caused was with a Cottage Craft dressage girth. Not happy.

 

[Shooting Star]

Had exactly the same advice from my saddler re not using elasticated girths too - I'd always used elastic on one side in the past.

I switched to a wintec chafeless girth (slightly elasticated / stretchy along the whole length) and bingo, no dodgy sideways movement, no rubs, no problems

 

[Flame_]

Non-elastic with a big fluffy sheepskin girth sleeve.

I had one with elastic at one end and it made the saddle slip over. I bought another with elastic at both ends and the elastic was so stretchy it made it too big. I thought, "sod it, i'll use an old polo girth" and the job's a good'un.

 

[Laced Reins]

I feel like my pony is suffering from my my ignorance, as I've always been told to use elasticated both ends?!?!

Girths elasticated at just one end I believe can have a bad effect on the saddle, which makes sense with more pressure on one side...

But I've been told you can over girth with a non-elasticated one also. My saddler says to girth gradually with my girth that is elasticated at both ends, but it gives them easier breathing compared to non-elasticated. Also mentioned something to do with the rib cage which the elasticated can benefit?

 

[Bert&Maud]

My remedial saddler recommended Stubben trevira cord girths. I've used them ever since, they are soft and breathable. No elastic. Also relatively inexpensive and easy to wash.

 

[d_morrow]

Another vote for stubben trevira. Lovely girths. They are good for stability because the shape allows for a ' Y' girthing system However, I have also used the Wintec Cob girth (non-elasticated) as recommended by saddler and I usually add a fleece girth sleeve to make it as comfy as possible. It's a good girth and only £21 or so.

 

[d_morrow]

Whoops! Sorry just checked and the cob girth I mentioned before is in fact a thorowgood - not wintec.

 

[Achinghips]

The trevira looks really uncomfortable (at least compared to an Atherstone) so I'm surprised it comes recommended, might give it a try on a spare saddle .

 

[Keenjean]

My horse hates the stubben string girth.... She tried to eat me when i did it up! And there was me thinking I was being nice to her! I've got a wintec one now so the elastic runs through the whole girth not at one end and that seems fine and my normally angelic to tack up horse has returned!

 

[horsimous]

I hate elastic on girths, potential to cause so many problems. Jeffries leather girths are fab and can be bought with no elastic,or cheap Cottage Craft type material girths should still come with no elastic. I've had my leather girths for years and they look as good as new as I put a scats sheepskin fleece over them. They are so nice someone nicked one!

 

[mandwhy]

I like both end elastic girths because I can actually do them up, and no I am not over girthing! The trick to not over girthing is just that - remember you have elastic and don't over girth! I had a standard plain non elastic cottage craft one on my old loan TB and oh my god I had to do it up like 4 times every time! Luckily he had withers so no slippage, I have a round new haflinger now so don't know if elastic will be good for her, will see what saddle I end up with at fitting. I do think if a saddle fits it won't slip, but now I am starting to understand why it is a problem for barrel shapes! I also think a wider girth/girth sleeve must be more comfortable.

 

[sbloom]

My saddler (who is team GB saddler) said dont use elastic girths as they can be overtightened.

Disagree. Any girth can be overtightened, you should see the muscle damage done to some of the wide horses I fit through overtightening fixed girths.

What is their reasoning? The horse has to breathe so a little give surely is more comfortable. And it has to be throughout else the saddle will not be stable

There will be a moment of slack when the ribcage contracts which can lead to instability. If there is no moment of slack then surely the non-elasticated girth has been done up so tight that the ribcage can't expand?!!

I like both end elastic girths because I can actually do them up, and no I am not over girthing! The trick to not over girthing is just that - remember you have elastic and don't over girth! I had a standard plain non elastic cottage craft one on my old loan TB and oh my god I had to do it up like 4 times every time! Luckily he had withers so no slippage, I have a round new haflinger now so don't know if elastic will be good for her, will see what saddle I end up with at fitting. I do think if a saddle fits it won't slip, but now I am starting to understand why it is a problem for barrel shapes! I also think a wider girth/girth sleeve must be more comfortable.

Indeed - check your actual girth tightness before and after tightening, don't just haul on the straps to see if it CAN be tightened. Any piece of equipment can be misused, doesn't mean we say not to use it.