How long would you expect a girth to last?

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MuddyMonster

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Pony does wear through girths every 9 months-ish so I never expect them to last forever, but I bought a new synthetic girth in July & the stitching is coming away at the buckles.

I ride almost every day so is used regularly and admittedly does get a bit abused - pony sweats a lot & it will get splashed going through fjords and ponds etc - but I do wipe it down after every ride.

But would you expect the stitching to last more than 3 months?
 
Depends but it shouldn't be wearing out that quickly. Even 9 months is pretty quick. What make is it? My cheap synthetic girths last about 3 years
 
I've tried multiple different girths from £ to ££££ (I use a £40-£45 ish one now) and the binding/edging cracks in the same places and I then don't use them as I worry about rubbing. Perhaps, they'd still be fine but I'd just rather not risk it.

I'm not so worried about the longevity of the girth when they crack as it's obviously a him thing and we do pretty high mileage - I figured what he costs me girths I more than save in food for him 🤣

But I just wanted a sense check it wouldn't be unreasonable to go back to the manufacturer for the stitching :)
 
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I'd also expect longer- my cottage craft type girths have yet to wear out despite heavy use and, when we were hunting, getting thrown in the washing machine every week.
 
blitznbobs said:
What girths are you buying? I have never in 40 + years had a girth rot through (chewed through by mice but not worn through) I have some girths that are about 30 years old and they are fine
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I've bought loads over the years - Thorowgood, Wintec, Harry Dabbs, Shires, Prolite ... probably more I've forgotten.

They don't rot through, the outer binding cracks and I then don't use them due to rubbing risk. He's the only pony I've had it with so it's obviously a 'him thing' rather than a fault with all the girth manufacturers - my previous horse was in the same girth for years.

It's just in this case the stitching at the buckles has started to undo first.
 
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TheMule said:
Have you tried a leather girth? You shouldn’t get the cracking problem then
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I have wondered whether a leather girth would be worth a try. I prefer synthetic as they are so low maintenance (and I'm a vegetarian so just prefer non-leather options where possible) but I might see if I can find a leather girth to try in the future :)
 
MuddyMonster said:
I have wondered whether a leather girth would be worth a try. I prefer synthetic as they are so low maintenance (and I'm a vegetarian so just prefer non-leather options where possible) but I might see if I can find a leather girth to try in the future :)
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Keep it clean and well oiled- it should last forever.
Probably better for the planet than throwing away lots of synthetic ones at least!
 
I have a John Whitiker shaped leather girth with nice soft edges. I was just thinking last night as I wiped and soaped it how easy it was to care for and what good condition it was in.
It's about 8 years old, and I honestly expect it to last at the very least another 8 years.
 
I have a shires arma synthetic and the edging cracked, so I’ve stopped using it for the same reason.

Before that I had a shadow horse TSF leather one which also cracked around the edge , I put this down to my not conditioning it enough which is why I got the synthetic one ….

Am likewise wondering what to use next.
 
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I’ve got cottage craft ones that are over 15 years old and had a lot of use. I’ve also got a leather one that’s about 20 years old and very soft after lots of oiling but still perfectly useable. I’d be asking to exchange it.
 
MuddyMonster said:
Pony does wear through girths every 9 months-ish so I never expect them to last forever, but I bought a new synthetic girth in July & the stitching is coming away at the buckles.

I ride almost every day so is used regularly and admittedly does get a bit abused - pony sweats a lot & it will get splashed going through fjords and ponds etc - but I do wipe it down after every ride.

But would you expect the stitching to last more than 3 months?
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I've sent you an article I wrote on how girths should be made, if made correctly they should last quite a while.
It will help you spot the bad ones , Oz
 
MuddyMonster said:
I've bought loads over the years - Thorowgood, Wintec, Harry Dabbs, Shires, Prolite ... probably more I've forgotten.

They don't rot through, the outer binding cracks and I then don't use them due to rubbing risk. He's the only pony I've had it with so it's obviously a 'him thing' rather than a fault with all the girth manufacturers - my previous horse was in the same girth for years.

It's just in this case the stitching at the buckles has started to undo first.
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What do you do with your girth when not in use? Do you detach it both sides and lay it across your saddle the way it's meant to curve or do you leave it attached and bend it back on itself? I do the former and have yet to actually wear a girth out.
 
I rode in the sea often, used to ride most days and still have those girths today.
The only time ive had to replace a girth in 20 years is because mice chewed one and pony did t fit the girth any more.
 
marmalade76 said:
What do you do with your girth when not in use? Do you detach it both sides and lay it across your saddle the way it's meant to curve or do you leave it attached and bend it back on itself? I do the former and have yet to actually wear a girth out.
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Good point - I'd forgotton some people do the latter! (makes my toes curl - bent the wrong way and grubby side on the saddle :0 )
 
I’ve got a professionals Choice ventech girth and have had it for almost 2 years, wash it at least once a week in the washing machine, usually twice and it’s still perfect!
 
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