Humane girth?

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Costypop

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By my memory they had a bad rap a few years ago, is this still the case? Thinking of using on my saddle as need to use the point strap and the 4th one (saddlers advice) but my girth doesn't reach, so with the spilt on them do you think it would work? The only thing is I can't find a nice big padded one, the girth it's self looks fairly narrow, and if possible I like my firths shaped, any suggestions???
 
Do you mean the Stubben cord girth? My mare came with one because she had an operation a few years ago and has scarring near her girth area and has really sensitive skin anyway. Its never rubbed or pinched her, she seems to like it.

My saddler came out recently and recommended a similar set up for my girth straps, he really rated the girth, also said its impossible to over tighten them so it should do what you're after in this case
 
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I don't remember any bad press about them. I use them o all my horses as they even out the downward pressure from the girth straps. There are several different makes around from cottage craft through to expensive leather padded ones. The only make that I would not reccomend is the Robinson's own brand as the leather is not very good quality. I think that they are essential on any girth straps that come off the point strap and are useful for any big shouldered or big moving horse.
 
If you are referring to the ones with a single strap carrying both buckles which runs through a metal loop, I would never trust them. If one buckle fails (or the billet it is buckled on to) you suddenly have a double length on the other buckle and a loose girth. I don't know that it has ever happened but the potential is there.
 
The bad rap (rightly) ones were the ones with elastic sections, easy to pinch and over tighten.
Instead get a girth elasticated all through it gently eg good value one is the wintec one. Or for supreme comfort and durability the best comfy girth I've ever bought is the kieffer neoprene one. They do normal and dressage lengths and all horses seem to find them vvv comfy, also they wash like new, my oldest one is 11 years old and looks great still!
 
JillA said:
If you are referring to the ones with a single strap carrying both buckles which runs through a metal loop, I would never trust them. If one buckle fails (or the billet it is buckled on to) you suddenly have a double length on the other buckle and a loose girth. I don't know that it has ever happened but the potential is there.
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I use the Airborne ones, which are padded fabric, and the horses really like them, one especially didn't like the Stubben string girth, - I've never had a problem but then I check my tack every time I ride. The only trouble is that I don't think they still mske them, I bought several at sale price a while ago.
 
I've just bought one of the bridleway multi purpose girths for my boy (comes with a fleece or neoprene lining) - while it hasnt made a massive difference, he makes no fuss when i do it up, and having had ulcers in the past i'm very aware of any reactions he may have. I also have to use a point strap and the last strap, it reaches absolutely fine!
 
Yes the airborne type ones. Think some where many moons ago I read that people have had them break and also the dee ring can press on a nerve? Don't know if that is the case or not? But haven't used in over 10years I wondered if they had improved as in thoery I would suit my needs, as long it's padded enough and is wide and shaped for the elbows. Can't use an elastic ended girth as have a big moving shoulded xxwide fit cob!
 
Hedwards said:
I've just bought one of the bridleway multi purpose girths for my boy (comes with a fleece or neoprene lining) - while it hasnt made a massive difference, he makes no fuss when i do it up, and having had ulcers in the past i'm very aware of any reactions he may have. I also have to use a point strap and the last strap, it reaches absolutely fine!
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I will have a look- thanks
 
JillA said:
If you are referring to the ones with a single strap carrying both buckles which runs through a metal loop, I would never trust them. If one buckle fails (or the billet it is buckled on to) you suddenly have a double length on the other buckle and a loose girth. I don't know that it has ever happened but the potential is there.
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Me too. I don't think they are safe. We have two girth straps on English saddles for a reason. For the same reason, when there are three girth straps on a saddle, they are attached to two different pieces of webbing.
 
Thorowgood make a cob girth that is split at either end to enable point straps to be reached. Non elasticated.
I have a humane girth. I asked 3 saddlers about them due to the risk already mentioned. None of them had ever heard of one breaking. However what has happened is I have dropped one buckle while tightening when on board, same potential for trouble as one strap breaking.
 
pansymouse said:
If you are girthing on the point strap and forth your saddle doesn't fit and no amount of strapping it down with different girths will change that. Get the saddler back or get a second opinion.
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Absolutely right - I once saw a horse who objected strongly every time his rider leaned forward to dismount. He was girthed onto the points billets and the tree points were digging in every time her weight was forward. I can never understand why it should be necessary to attach a billet to the tree points.
 
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c2b said:
Thorowgood make a cob girth that is split at either end to enable point straps to be reached. Non elasticated.
I have a humane girth. I asked 3 saddlers about them due to the risk already mentioned. None of them had ever heard of one breaking. However what has happened is I have dropped one buckle while tightening when on board, same potential for trouble as one strap breaking.
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I suppose that is an more likely to happen then one breaking. Been on a few that have spooked while doing up the girth resulting in dropping one to regain control.
 
pansymouse said:
If you are girthing on the point strap and forth your saddle doesn't fit and no amount of strapping it down with different girths will change that. Get the saddler back or get a second opinion.
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Saddle fits as well as anything we can get, been thorough 5 saddles over this summer, (using different and the same saddlers) I am awaiting a made to measure working hunter saddle that is on order, so fingers crossed on that one :) but need something in the mean time and this saddle isn't causing any issues. 2 saddlers options and working along side my Physio and chrio's. :) thankyou very much for the advice, this horse is a pain too fit!!! Think I'm going to just have a few saddles and keep hold of them using them as and when he changes shape! (And not tell my other half!)
 
My friend had exactly the same problem and recommendation from her first saddler with a supposedly made to fit saddle; she bit the bullet, got Kay Humphries and had one of her saddles. It's like she has an entirely new horse now, his stride is longer, he's faster, he never fidgets when being tacked up and the saddle doesn't move an inch even with a fairly loose girth.

Going back to your problem; I like humane girths but they may not be the answer, I'd try a Stubben string one, nice and wide and soft (assuming you have the elbow space for it).

I'm a saddle hoarder too; expensive hobby but at least you done have to feed them or find them livery ;)
 
pansymouse said:
If you are girthing on the point strap and forth your saddle doesn't fit and no amount of strapping it down with different girths will change that. Get the saddler back or get a second opinion.
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well that all depends on the 'shape' of your horse, the change to point strap and the 4th strap recently due to a change in my horses shape, i'm not in a position to buy a new saddle, and since the change i've noticed he's much happier. He's a difficult shape to fit to, and is likely to change again as he fittens up. I have no concerns over the fitting, and my saddler is very well respected and qualified!
 
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