Long girths and balance points

[Jambarissa]

I did some saddle fitting training way back when. I remember them stressing that your girth should sit on about the 3rd hole (roughly widest part of horse), too high or too low would make the saddle more likely to slip.

Mentioned this to a friend who's having slipping issues and then tried to find info online and can't see anything. Is this an actual 'thing'?

 

[sbloom]

I did some saddle fitting training way back when. I remember them stressing that your girth should sit on about the 3rd hole (roughly widest part of horse), too high or too low would make the saddle more likely to slip.

Mentioned this to a friend who's having slipping issues and then tried to find info online and can't see anything. Is this an actual 'thing'?

Yes, the shortest possible long girth, buckles at or below the widest part of the ribcage, gives greatest stability. There are physical forces involved, laws of the universe type stuff, but darned if I can remember or explain!

 

[Kaylum]

It should be equal both sides as well.

 

[sbloom]

It should be equal both sides as well.

Yes but I think people are more aware of this, some to the extent they think they can't have it one hole difference. You absolutely can, and need to, to have full adjustability, but watch for very shaped girths and where that sits them relate to sternum and elbows.

 

[monte1]

that is very interesting, is there a similar rule of thumb for fitting the shorter type girth to monoflap saddles with extended girth straps, as i have a monoflap Jump saddle and don't like to use a vey short girth where the buckles are very low to horses side so i tend to use a slightly longer one ?

 

[sbloom]

that is very interesting, is there a similar rule of thumb for fitting the shorter type girth to monoflap saddles with extended girth straps, as i have a monoflap Jump saddle and don't like to use a vey short girth where the buckles are very low to horses side so i tend to use a slightly longer one ?

As long as possible, not only for stability but just as or more importantly to get buckle pressure off sensitive muscles and bulk away from the elbow.

 

[monte1]

As long as possible, not only for stability but just as or more importantly to get buckle pressure off sensitive muscles and bulk away from the elbow.

Great, thank you, good to know i am doing the right thing for my horse

 

[sbloom]

Great, thank you, good to know i am doing the right thing for my horse

You may need to go even longer...it literally should be as long as possible so as not to interfere with your pad in most cases . When I see 20" and smaller girths I wonder which 12hh ponies are being ridden in dressage saddles or monoflaps....(not saying there aren't larger beasties that need that length but they're serious outliers!).

 

[monte1]

You may need to go even longer...it literally should be as long as possible so as not to interfere with your pad in most cases . When I see 20" and smaller girths I wonder which 12hh ponies are being ridden in dressage saddles or monoflaps....(not saying there aren't larger beasties that need that length but they're serious outliers!).

ok, thank you, it is about 2 inches below my saddle pad at the moment, so i don't think i could go much longer it is a 26 or 28 " i think from memory

 

[sbloom]

ok, thank you, it is about 2 inches below my saddle pad at the moment, so i don't think i could go much longer it is a 26 or 28 " i think from memory

One size up will bring the girth 1" higher each sides so would be fine, but you're probably okay where you are.