Monoflap saddle questions

[WelshD]

I've just bought a monoflap jumping saddle for the pony after he has consistently proved that he can get airborne without being a d**k about it.

Now I don't know if I'm being thick but...

in pictures I've seen of them the girth on some covers just the underside of the horse but in other pics the girth is nearly up to the saddle pad - are there variations which dictate this?

also those with saddlecloths with the velcro girth straps do you find that the cloth stays in place with no fixing?

 

[milliepops]

it's more comfortable for the horse if the buckles on a short girth are as far up as you can reasonably get them, well clear of elbows etc.
I find that well fitting saddlepads stay in place just fine without straps. you could get d ring straps added if you find they slip though.

 

[ycbm]

Biomectric assessment showed that the girth buckle should be as close to the bottom of the saddle flap as possible. It surprises me that some people still fit them so low. It was supposed to avoid the elbow hitting them, but you see plenty of people with the buckle at the elbow too.

I've always fitted them high, it looks uncomfortable to the horse, to me, to have two thin straps that could pinch the skin between them on their sides.

 

[ycbm]

I find that well fitting saddlepads stay in place just fine without straps. you could get d ring straps added if you find they slip though.

Echo this. I take off all the straps at the top. If a pad moves, then I know it doesn't fit.

Another bugbear of mine - straps that are attached right under a main pressure point on the horse. IMO they should be attached at the binding, never underneath the panel.
.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Agree with ycbm and milliepops. Girth as close to the bottom edge of the saddle pad as possible. I use mainly LeMieux and Schockemöhle with D-ring straps, but have others without straps or I've just cut the straps off and the pads generally stay in place. I've also seen someone attach the strap to the stirrup leather on a dressage saddle, but I prefer to just do with out them.

Also have no idea why some people ride with short girths that are soo short.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Echo this. I take off all the straps at the top. If a pad moves, then I know it doesn't fit.

Another bugbear of mine - straps that are attached right under a main pressure point on the horse. IMO they should be attached at the binding, never underneath the panel.
.

Oh, never thought about this, your bugbear here. Interesting.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I bought a monoflap, having never had one before I asked my saddler and was sold one (and used for years) that was way too small.
Found out on here that I needed one much longer, still using the same saddle but I now have a far more appropriate girth length!

 

[sbloom]

Another bugbear of mine - straps that are attached right under a main pressure point on the horse. IMO they should be attached at the binding, never underneath the panel.
.

I agree with you on webbing mounted velcro straps, if they are pure velcro such as on Mattes, they make no bulge under the panel, especially if it's a sheepskin or wool lined pad. I have seen a cheap numnah cause white hairs in the stitch pattern at the attachment point of the strap.

And yes, as long a short girth as possible, some can even come up over the numnah/pad and not cause an issue.

 

[DirectorFury]

Adding a 4th voice to having the girth as long as possible.
I like the Ecogold pads under monoflaps as there are no straps to worry about at all .

 

[Kaylum]

Longest girth possible for stability and comfort. Its all part of the saddle fitting process and why a good fitter will have hundreds of girths in their vehicle of all different shapes and sizes.

 

[sbloom]

Longest girth possible for stability and comfort. Its all part of the saddle fitting process and why a good fitter will have hundreds of girths in their vehicle of all different shapes and sizes.

Have you seen the size of my van , I carry one girth in each size in long girths, so far I've done fewer dressage fits and no monoflaps (yet, new brand) so I have 2 dressage girth lengths and have just added a third. Covers pretty much all bases for a fitting.