Horse is sensitive around girth area

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Nissi

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Hi
Hoping for some advice, first time I've posted on this forum. Horse was fitted with a new saddle few weeks ago along with a new leather girth, elasticated at one end. Few weeks later he seems sensitive on his left side, around girth area. Ears flat back in response to left leg on and also in the stable when running hand over the general area. No obvious sign of chaffing etc and no marks on him. I am wondering if the new girth is simply not supple enough yet and had possibly bruised him? Basically looking for recommendations for an alternative girth or would a sheepskin cover potentially ease the issue? Aside of this he is a happy chap, showing no signs of sensitivity on right side around girth nor his back. Any advice much appreciated.
 
Sounds like something is definitely bothering him to do with the saddle/girth. Has your new saddle been checked by the Saddler since it was fitted? It will have bedded in a bit and may need the flocking adjusting, perhaps causing some pressure on the left. Nuumed do lovely wool girth sleeves, I'm using one on my kissing spines mare. Also check your not doing your girth up too tight and that its even on both sides.
 
Thanks izzwizz. Saddler will happily come back out so I will arrange that too, I'm convinced its the girth, will have a look at Nuumed!
 
Thinking about one of my other horses just didnt get on with a lovely leather dressage girth she had which was new with her saddle. The leather seemed to rub her just behind her leg. I changed it to a Griffin Thoroughgood dressage girth and while it wasnt leather it was soft and she was just fine with that one. They are not expensive so might be an option for you to try.
 
Is the elastic also on the left side? Can you stop using the new girth and go back to your old girth? If he's sore to touch you probably need to give him at least a week of not wearing a girth or more if he's still sore in a week's time. Then go back to your old girth and adding a sheepskin sleeve would also help. I personally wouldn't use a girth with elastic only on one side. Either elastic on both sides or no elastic. I like the Wintec girths, impossible to overtighten but still elasticated in the middle
 
Thank you Bantry and Izzwizz. He has just had some time off as I was on holiday. Went today and got pure sheepskin girth sleeve, used the same girth to see how he was, although not 100% he was much happier and went forward well in trot ears back occasionally but not like before. I like the sound of the Wintec girth, have a couple of different girths I can try and just go by trial and error over the next few days!
 
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