Has anyone tried- Flexi Girths

tried them twice and sent both back. You would be better off getting something to keep the saddle in place from above, and I have found that the shortest dressage girth (18") has worked a treat, seems to keep things very stable. :)
 
I read it on one of the forums when I first got my treeless (complete with their leather girth) and the saddle was slipping. I think it "anchors" the saddle much better.I use an 18" thorowgood dressage saddle, and once it's done up tight enough (not too tight, lol) I can even mount from the ground with no slipping. Can't do it up from up top tho, so I have to get off and tighten it after ten minutes, or get a friend to do it for me.

This is after having the saddle actually slip right under his belly with me on several times using other girths, now we have no movement at all, and this is just using his Barefoot pad.

This pic gives an idea of the length of the girth

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Oh I shall give it a go :) Its the issue that you can't move the damn thing back again lol
After a serious back injury I have no spring in my legs at all to get on now and as a result it moves further then normal.

Thanks for your advice though Shy :D
 
my back's knacked too which is why I went treeless. Didn't help it when I landed under pony's private parts, don't know who was more shocked - once it was at a standstill while he was weeing.

Btw, found the flexi girths VERY expensive, and not well made at all. I also always stand on my grooming box to get on, as my spring has sprung too xx
 
I use flexi girths with my treeless saddles.

I didn't have any issues with them slipping in the first place but just wanted something comfy.

I like them and will continue to use them.
 
I also use a flexi girth with my treeless,, very happy with it & seems to help stop slipping too. I would have another one.
 
I use a flexi girth - can't speak for treeless saddles but has kept my saddle in place when working in an girth is loose so may be worth while trying it
 
Not a girth, but keeps the saddle still, I bought a non slip mat from a pound shop, it is very thin and goes between horse and saddle, it keeps everything in place, 50p for two :D
 
Slipping saddles is such a common issue, and although I don't fit treeless saddles, to me, if a saddle slips, it usually doesn't quite fit. Sometimes it is from an asymmetry in horse or rider which needs looking at - treatment by a chiro etc possibly, learning to sit straighter if the rider etc. A treed saddle can be used with a good shim pad like a Mattes correction pad if there is an obvious asymmetry - a smaller asymmetry may resolve itself with a well fitting saddle, or might need asymmetric girthing, but you need a choice of girth straps to be able to do that!

Very short girths are not something I especially like - the buckles can end up rubbing the moveable skin around the elbow, and years ago a very reputable equine physio told me she hated them as the buckles place pressure on the most sensitive muscles in the ribcage - much better, if you have to have a short girth, to have one as long as possible.

I have seen one flexi girth on a customer's saddle, and my girths worked just as well when we swapped them. Nothing unique about mine - just nice wide padded leather Atherstones (wide central piece as well, not a thin band of leather) with very strong elastic on both ends. They can solve a multitude of sins when fitting tricky wide horses with treed saddles, but I have no idea about girthing a treeless.

Oh and I really don't like the idea of sticking a saddle to the horse's back - the movement is still there from the saddle, so it MUST pull at the skin. Some horses hate sticky pads and I've seen some get very sore from them.

I would see if you can get a fitter out to check your saddle - it might out of balance or have the wrong shims/pommel etc.
 
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Sbloom completely understand where your comin from! My issue is only when I mount, I'm not the smallest of people or the quickest! As a result it moves a touch when I get on and as it's treeless I can't move it back :( so looking for ideas to stop that ten second mount movement :D
 
I have a flat backed roly poly who has an xxw saddle. It has been fitted professionally but she is quite sharp so 'slippage' has been an issue. It was partly helped by an Acavallo thin gel/sticky pad but then I trialled a flexi girth which has helped so I bought one. I actually find that I don't worry about slipping now and it hasn't happened so it has worked for me.
 
dotty1 said:
I have a flat backed roly poly who has an xxw saddle. It has been fitted professionally but she is quite sharp so 'slippage' has been an issue. It was partly helped by an Acavallo thin gel/sticky pad but then I trialled a flexi girth which has helped so I bought one. I actually find that I don't worry about slipping now and it hasn't happened so it has worked for me.
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Thanks shall have a look his one :D
 
Obviously always try to get on from a block, even out hacking you can usually find a bank, fence etc. Also try to lean across and grab the off side stirrup leather with your right hand before you put all your weight in the stirrup, this will help the saddle stay central.
 
sbloom said:
Obviously always try to get on from a block, even out hacking you can usually find a bank, fence etc. Also try to lean across and grab the off side stirrup leather with your right hand before you put all your weight in the stirrup, this will help the saddle stay central.
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I only get on from a mounting block as can't reach otherwise. As for leaning over to the other side, it's a great idea but I'm only 5ft1 and can't reach the other stirrup leather and get on at the same time!! It could look rather interesting lol

Can you recommend any gripper girths Sbloom? I only need to stop it slipping about an inch if that!
 
I only use the one type of girth I'm afraid and don't work with treeless saddles so really hard to recommend one. The girths I sell and work with work really well with treed saddles but I have no idea how they would work with treeless which have less structure to hold them laterally. I do fit mainly wide and flat horses where slippage can be a problem and the girths work well, but I couldn't guarantee the same for treeless.
 
I have a Flexi girth and really like it! The saddle is fitted correctly but it always seems to slip about a bit - bought a flexi girth and it's made such a difference.
I'm sure they offer trials on their girths so you could always contact them and see if they suited you both before spending your money on one.
 
sbloom said:
I only use the one type of girth I'm afraid and don't work with treeless saddles so really hard to recommend one. The girths I sell and work with work really well with treed saddles but I have no idea how they would work with treeless which have less structure to hold them laterally. I do fit mainly wide and flat horses where slippage can be a problem and the girths work well, but I couldn't guarantee the same for treeless.
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Do they do a dressage version? As that is the type of girth I use with my saddle :)
 
You can't really have a dressage style Atherstone - look for something wide and padded, where the edges of the girth don't collapse, so the full width is against the horse properly, with very strong elastic ideally in the middle, or at both ends. The ReactorPanel girth is wonderful but very pricey, I think Exselle make some nice girths as do some of the continental manufacturers like Prestige and Amerigo.
 
If you do happen to decide on a new ReactorPanel girth, do contact the company in the US as the "agent" situation in the UK is confusing to say the least, and you will want a warranty from the actual US company! I use an RP girth, bought it used, and it is still going strong 10 years later.
 
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