Nearly a nasty accident

Irishcobs

Irishcobs

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Out hunting today, my girth broke.
I was riding in the close contact saddle, first time I have hunted in it but my boss hunts in it every weekend and I exercise in it. The girth was a double elastic ended girth that was exactly a year old, I bought it for my bosses birthday this time last year. There was absolutely no sign of wear on the girth, it was only used for hunting.
The elastic snapped straight across both girth straps on the left side. Thankfully I was on the flat, going up hill, not jumping or it could of been really nasty.
My horse is a bit backy and we walked through a narrow gap in a hedge, I believe he got a leg caught on a bramble and started to bronc, I started to pull him up and wham, hit the deck. I sat up in time to see the saddle disappear round his neck, hanging from his breastplate, hitting him on the chest as he bolted. Luckily he stopped on the other side of the field and I managed to catch him and remove the saddle.
Fortunately we were near a farm that had horses who lent me a girth so I could carry on. But my poor horse was very wound up and upset by it (he is a complete fairy on the best of days) so we are getting his back check asap just in case.
I wasn't even on board for more then 20 mins and had 10 mins before gotten off to do a gate.
 
Blimey how scary
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Yep same happened to me with a Thorowgood girth, I'd only had a 4 months and the elastic end the stitching came un done and where the buckles are and came off, in fact I've still it in my draw, kept meaning to take it to my local saddlers to have it stitched back on but never got round to it.

Gosh must of been horrible for you both, I bet you won't be using another in a rush.
 
God, that's horrible (glad your OK). I am going to be really paranoid about my girth now and shall be checking it every five minutes when i ride!! Have you been able to check it over since and find a weakness or something in which why is didn't last long??
xx
 
I'm ok. I bit battered but nothing bad.
I have had a good look at the girth and can not find a reason for it to break. The elastic literally snapped clean. We are sending it back to the saddlery I bought it from with a letter saying what happened. Hopefully it was a one off and not a manufacturing fault.
 
My Thorowgood girth has also done this - without much wear
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Not bothering to have mine mended as have lost confidence in it.

Have invested in a really good quality leather girth so hopefully this will fare better
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I hope this doesn't put you off hunting!
 
Interesting. Mine wasn't a Thorowgood girth but they could of been made by the same company.
It hasn't put my off hunting but I won't be using the close contact again.
I'm just glad it happened to me today as my boss would of been using the same saddle and girth on Sat in big hedge country
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You were lucky and I am glad both you and the horse are ok.
The elastic used for girths does not have a very long life if the penetrating tool used to stitch it (awl if done by hand) or sew it(needle if made by sewing machine which is the most usual method these days) severs any of the elasticated (rubber) strands woven inside the cotton outer that makes up the elastic.
Eventually it will break and we get them in to replace the elastic on a regular basis.
Trouble is because the damage is internal, as you said, you can't see it, it just breaks. That is why I am not a fan of elasticated girths!
Oz
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[ QUOTE ]
You were lucky and I am glad both you and the horse are ok.
The elastic used for girths does not have a very long life if the penetrating tool used to stitch it (awl if done by hand) or sew it(needle if made by sewing machine which is the most usual method these days) severs any of the elasticated (rubber) strands woven inside the cotton outer that makes up the elastic.
Eventually it will break and we get them in to replace the elastic on a regular basis.
Trouble is because the damage is internal, as you said, you can't see it, it just breaks. That is why I am not a fan of elasticated girths!
Oz
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[/ QUOTE ]

that is really worrying actually, thanks for that information. please can i quote you on that, if i want to use it in my new XC Corner safety stuff please?

to OP - lucky escape, really glad to hear you're both okay.
 
Yes, you are more than welcome too, I can even send you a sample of new elastic cut in half so you can see the elastic inside if you want me to?

Oz
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Glad you're ok, OP. Hope your horse's back turns out to be ok and he was just scared.

How nice of someone to lend you a girth from a nearby farm, though! Did you/someone on the hunt know them?
 
[ QUOTE ]
You were lucky and I am glad both you and the horse are ok.
The elastic used for girths does not have a very long life if the penetrating tool used to stitch it (awl if done by hand) or sew it(needle if made by sewing machine which is the most usual method these days) severs any of the elasticated (rubber) strands woven inside the cotton outer that makes up the elastic.
Eventually it will break and we get them in to replace the elastic on a regular basis.
Trouble is because the damage is internal, as you said, you can't see it, it just breaks. That is why I am not a fan of elasticated girths!
Oz
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Oz xx
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You forgot to mention replacing the elastic is a bloomin 'orrible job (like re-covering rubber reins) which is why i dont use the girths either (nearly had a fit when a RS i do, changed all their girths to elastic ended leather ones
crazy.gif
)
 
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