Girths...

[Troggy]

Please can I have your opinions on which girth(s) are best?

I had Toff's back looked at last night by a McTimoney Chiro as we had been having a few issues jumping. There wasn't anything majorly wrong with her back (although her poll was badly out!) but it was very sore on the right side. She asked to look at my girth and it is a leather atherstone with elastic at one end. I always use the elastic side to the right. The elastic had stretched so much (2nd hand girth) that there was too much give, the girth was uneven and it was tipping me to the right....! It also explains how I had to keep adjusting my right stirrup! Poor pony!

Anyway, she suggested getting the girth adjusted, having the elastic re done and putting some in the other end as well, or getting a girth with no elastic at all.
What are your opinions? Is it best to have 2 lots of elastic or none at all?
I have also been made aware of the flaw in the humane girths (I have 2!) that if you lose one buckle then the whole girth will become very loose....

Soooo, any preferences on girth makes/styles etc?

Sorry for ramble!

 

[pottamus]

Well I have had a Thorowgood girth with elastic at one end for the last 2 years and have had no problems with it. It has not stretched in that time either.
I know there are differing schools of thought on the elastic bits as some people say they allow you to over tighten the girth, but I always make sure that I can get my hand in between so that this does not happen.
Had you had your girth a long time for the elastic to have stretched?

 

[Troggy]

It was 2nd hand so previously stretched!
I don't over tighten the girth but it does make sense that eventually one side will become unlevel..

 

[flyingfeet]

My preference is for elastic both ends or none

Elastic at one end puts the girth out of balance and means it can flex from one side only. Symetry with horses is the aim of the game.

I have also used humane girths with no problems, however I prefer to use Professional Choice girths, as even though pricey, they are superb in every respect.

 

[CastleMouse]

I quite like Aerborn girths

 

[keeley]

I prefer elastic at both ends, and Have a nice treadstone one. But if you don't want to break the bank I really like the Wintec elastic girths, they are really soft and although they do make them sweat star loves hers, and she's very sensitive.

 

[KatB]

Elastic both ends definitely. Spoken toseveral vets and Chiros about this, and they agreed it makes them more balanced, and saves over tightening. The pro choice are fab, but I had a leather one made for Godfrey, it cost me about £50 and really makes a difference when firthing him up, he used to be very grumpy with his old Thorowgood one.

 

[Marnie]

that there should be elastic at both ends or none. I use the Wintec girths that are supposed to give all the way along and they seem to work really well for my mare - before I bought her she suffered from girth galls, and even though she is pink skinned and sensitive, since using the Wintec, I haven't had any problems.

 

[Greyhound]

I use a leather girth with one side elastic, but I swap it over everytime I ride - dont know if it works or does any good or bad, but with out the elastic I wouldnt get a girth on her without it being hiked up beyond belief.

Gh

 

[SSM]

Like JM7 I love my Stubben String girth, nothing like the ones I remember in my youth!!!

 

[Aleka81]

I'm with you the Wintec girths are superb. (always go for the shaped girths!)

 

[sojeph]

I now use a Stubben cord girth. Its been great. Recommended by saddle fitter. Had terrible trouble with moving/roly poly saddles before - not now.

 

[Zebedee]

I have a leather shaped girth which is elasticated both ends. The saddle doesn't move (& is used on a well rounded cob). The way the elasticated ends are designed means that it would be almost impossible to over- tighten. There is a really really stiff piece of elastic sandwiched in between two pieces of not quite so stiff elastic. (Sorry not a very good description, but the best I can do!). I'm not sure of the make though -I was lucky enough to get it off a friend for £10, but I think she paid about £60 for it originally.

 

[Troggy]

Thanks all for your replies, will look into getting one of the Stubben cord girths or a leather one without any elastic