I think the idea is a really good one but agree with Scarlett that they could be a bit thicker. It's a shame they don't make them in leather. I'm using one at the minute but I think I'm going tohave to swap it for a leather one that has elastic both sides as it doesn't seem to be lying very well on horses skin. It's kind of scrunching up instead of lying flat.
A couple of years ago I would have definitely said yay, but having changed from a humane girth to a thick, padded leather girth I've changed my mind a bit. My horse seems much happier having the leather one done up.
Nay. I think they allow your saddle to move too much and they are easy to overtighten and if you want your saddle to stay put you have to overtighten. Used to use them all the time but have had my mind changed by some very good saddle fitters!
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A couple of years ago I would have definitely said yay, but having changed from a humane girth to a thick, padded leather girth I've changed my mind a bit. My horse seems much happier having the leather one done up.
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Mind made up - I'm off to buy a leather girth tomorrow! I was using one as I thought it would be kinder to horse, but he hates having it done up
Can cause uneven pressure on the girth straps if they're not done up on the same holes. Plus have also found that if the horse has put on weight, or it's ever so slightly too short, they're utter pain to tighten once on board.
I just think they look a little thin, im paranoid they would give way!! my saddle fitter loves them though.
I use a leather girth with elastic on both ends, my horse seems perfectly happy in it and it looks smart!
QR
I have no idea what a humane girth is, but sounds like one of those things that was intended to make a muppets life easier, but instead fails and makes the situation much worse.
Similar to Vetrap?
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QR
I have no idea what a humane girth is, but sounds like one of those things that was intended to make a muppets life easier, but instead fails and makes the situation much worse.
Similar to Vetrap?
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Ouch..,don't think I am a muppet..but i do like the fact that you can take the girth up in much smaller measurements and that there is an allowance for slight movement. I am aware of the risks of having a suddenly too long girth if somehow something snapped, however if I was planning to do serious fast work I would probably use an overgirth anyway.
i did post a link further up the thread if you really have no idea of how they work
(have also been know to use Vetrap too from time to time)
No. If a girth strap breaks the sliding mechanism of the humane girth moves round and your girth becomes very slack risking your saddle slipping - recipe for disaster!
I girth up very considerately (although Spring is fine), doing it a hole at a time and use a leather girth with elastic insert (being careful not to over-tighten) to keep girthing comfortable for Spring.
ETS: Had one on my last horse as he was bad to girth up and it rubbed him, swapped to the laether one and he was 100% better and no rubbing.
I think they are an incredibly bad idea. I have always wondered what would happen if your girth strap broke and you suddenly had a girth which was 5 inches too loose, could just picture the scenario when you're in mid air
I have seen a girth strap snap when attached to a humane girth and it is so damn dangerous. it happened to someone I was with when hunting. they caught there saddle on something and it ripped a girth strap off.
They are also seriously inhumane, putting all the pressure into a a narrow band around the horse and incredible pressure on a metal loop which sticks into the horses side along a serious nerve.
Most horses I see that have a humane girth are extremely girthy. If you need a girth that splits the Subben cord girth is far far far superior to the awful (in)humane girths
If you are on a cross country round you should have an overgirth anyway. If not shouldn't really matter
Would have thought a bit breaking would be more hairy.
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At a gymkhana years ago doing the apple bobbing,
whilst galloping to the finish the girth starps over the tree of my saddle broke causing be to come off with saddle between my legs.
Luckily wasn't injured & horse wasn't put of in anyway.
So it can happen anywhere! (Usually does to me!!)
I've also never had a girth strap break (40 years and counting) but would not want one to break if I had one of these girths on. Took one off child's saddle when we bought one, just in case, but then as people who know me will confirm I am an incredibly melodramatic and neurotic person - not!
. I think they're handy for when he gets fat because I can tighten one strap, then he stops blowing out his belly because he thinks it done up! It had honestly never occurred to me that they could be dangerous if the girth strap snapped - I think if I started worrying about everything that could go wrong I'd never leave the house!
Used one for years on a roly poly. Helped get that extra half hole to secure the saddle, also stopped the well established blowing out trick after a couple of months use.
Always used with a numnah to reduce pressure and with a sheepskin cover pad to soften it. Also have to admit I'm not a very competitve rider so have only ever used it for gentle ambling and not cross country/heavy exertion where overtightening and it's lack of 'give' could be more of welfare issue. I'd guess not suitable for thin skinned/reactive types.
HAD to get one for middle pony because he has got a maxim saddle and the holes in the gieth srtaps just dont line up.solved my problem ,but i can see how the pulley effect could cause it to be over tightened.