Girths recommendations - Harry Dabbs/Prolite or other

E

emfen1305

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 December 2015
Messages
1,046
Visit site
Anybody fancy some window shopping? I am looking for a new elasticated girth and was recommended to get the Harry Dabbs waffle girth or Prolite. It needs to be elasticated both ends and not have have padding behind the straps as the reason I am getting a new one is due to the padding behind my current one crinkling when I tighten the girth and I can't imagine it's very comfortable to have it sticking in his side!

Any experiences with either of the two girths above or any other recommendations? :) I just have a GP saddle so normal girth straps and also needs to be Havana :) Not too fussed on having rings and it would be nice for it to be shaped (most are nowadays anyway!) Budget of up to £100 but preferably less (I know the Harry Dabbs is around £50) Also, he is currently in a 44in which goes on 3 each side (4 and 3 if we are doing fast work or jumping) so would I still need 44in in these girths or should I size up or down?

Thanks in advance
 
I've not seen a Prolite with elastic, are they available? I do have several customers with the HD girth, however I use plain elasticated Atherston girths, leather, for saddle fitting, and they are available for under £100, make sure the centre panel is wide and shaped. If you need curved (I don't find them useful for saddle fitting) then stick to the Dabbs.
 
sbloom said:
I've not seen a Prolite with elastic, are they available? I do have several customers with the HD girth, however I use plain elasticated Atherston girths, leather, for saddle fitting, and they are available for under £100, make sure the centre panel is wide and shaped. If you need curved (I don't find them useful for saddle fitting) then stick to the Dabbs.
Click to expand...

Ah maybe not - I just assumed they were elasticated, I don't know why! That will rule that one out then as I need the give when I do the girth up! I'm not 100% fussed on the curved part to be honest, I just thought most of them would be as that seems to be the new thing. The Atherstone looks good, thanks! Would you recommend sizing up or down or staying the same?
 
I have an equiport girth, they do a few different designs, all elasticated at both ends and without padding and are leather so look smart. BUT they do only start at 46inches, so I don't know if they'd be too long. But I have found that mine was on the small side compared to my old elastic one of the same size, as the elastic on the old one had stretched so it was no longer true to size, whereas this elastic doesn't appear to have the same "give"...
 
We got on well with the HD but the binding does start to split (same as with thorowgoods) which is a shame when you have a particularly sensitive beast (who also hates leather!) but probably fine if you don't.
 
I have a Professional's Choice girth and that is elasticated at both ends - it is an excellent girth as well as being nice and soft.

I did buy a Prolite to try on my horse and he detested the thing! He went from moving forwards freely to shuffling along with his front feet and not wanting to move at all. Changed back to the Pro's Choice and he was happy to stride out again.
 
Lots of choices! I think the HD has the most votes and I like the look of it the most so far so could be a winner. I don't know how he would react to leather as I have never tried it!
 
oh I would also say HD prob true to size (mine is a 42/44 depending on time of year!)
we didn't like the prolite either (but that is usually size up)
and we also use a pro choice now- but I use the HD if showing as the pro choice is not very smart!
 
ester said:
oh I would also say HD prob true to size (mine is a 42/44 depending on time of year!)
we didn't like the prolite either (but that is usually size up)
and we also use a pro choice now- but I use the HD if showing as the pro choice is not very smart!
Click to expand...

Might have a winner! I'll be using it for showing so ideally needs to look the part (I know leather is preferred!)
Thanks :)
 
Ah yes, I would say smarter than the prolite then unless you had to have it for shape too (we have forwards girth groove and baggy elbow issues)

This is F showing in his, the rings spoil it a little but not too bad.
12046573_10156245608715438_7394100716578344813_n.jpg
 
Fab picture, a great shot! I always forgot to pull happy faces when the photographer is around, the photographers always catch me pulling the very stern "please go on the right leg and don't buck" face!

I wonder if there is a way to take the rings off without ruining it..anyway, i have one on order! i hope it fits, i just ordered a 44in and fatty will have to breathe in!
 
I have the harry dabbs girth, didn't have elastic before hand, so I went down a size! although my saddle fitter did it for me, so she obviously knew what size would be best!! I'd have probably ordered the wrong size if I didn't get it from the saddle fitter
 
emfen1305 said:
Fab picture, a great shot! I always forgot to pull happy faces when the photographer is around, the photographers always catch me pulling the very stern "please go on the right leg and don't buck" face!

I wonder if there is a way to take the rings off without ruining it..anyway, i have one on order! i hope it fits, i just ordered a 44in and fatty will have to breathe in!
Click to expand...

I think they are only attached by nylon tabs, we don't do much showing so never bothered but sure doable :)
 
Don't go up a size for an elastic girth, you want the shortest girth you can get done up, for stability you ideally want it to be at or below the widest point when fully girthed up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top