Girths.. recommendations!

[sbloom]

I heard recently that elasticated girths are no longer recommended, even ones which are elasticated at both ends. I was told that "things have moved on".
Is this the case?
By the way I have a professional choice girth and I really like it. I have been advised that my pony needs a shaped girth though so I am on the look out but now not so sure I know what I should be looking for.

Things have moved on? Some things have for sure, other things are just marketing, or tiny scientific studies dressed up to look like they apply universally. I still recommend elastic at both ends and teach my customers not to overtighten. Anything can be misused, we seldom decide the product is bad. For years regular saddle fitters have advised non-elasticated girths on cobs, yet we have used them for decades, with our own saddles, fitted our way, with stable results and happy horses. I think most fitters agree that elastic at one end is never any good.

Centre elastic does make it harder to overtighten but actually I quite like elastic at the ends, it sits at the interface between back/saddle and ribcage, and the latter moves in different planes to the former, so I actually prefer it.

 

[ester]

No leather girths do not rub. I only use leather girths, will not touch anything else

really does depend on the horse unfortunately, I couldn't use leather on mine though tried a few options.