Ok hive mind - girth galls/belly cover rubs

[Auslander]

I have a little cob here who is in light but regular work, but she's plagued with girth galls, and now, rubs from her Snuggy bug rug.
She has very wrinkly armpits/girth area, which I suspect is the problem, but I'm at a bit of a loss now, as nothing we do seems to work, so she's off work more than she's in work. We've had the saddle fitter out several times to make sure saddle fit is spot on, we've tried multiple different girths, and various thicknesses of sheepskin girth covers. she's clean and so is all her kit. Any bright ideas?

 

[ycbm]

That's a tough one. The rubs look like they aren't directly caused by the girth but by the skin wrinkling up in front of it. The only suggestion I can think of is the WOW free space girth which doesn't even touch the skin behind that area and would allow it to slide into the gap instead of bunching up. I've got an unused 32 inch she could try. They are way too pricey to buy one without knowing if it works!
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[Auslander]

That's a tough one. The rubs look like they aren't directly caused by the girth but by the skin wrinkling up in front of it. The only suggestion I can think of is the WOW free space girth which doesn't even touch the skin behind that area and would allow it to slide into the gap instead of bunching up. I've got an unused 32 inch she could try. They are way too pricey to buy one without knowing if it works!
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These rubs are from the bug rug - she's been off work for a week, as her owner has been on holiday. I agree though - I think the wrinkles are the problem.
I think a 32 will be too big - she's a teeny little thing - but I'll check what size her currrent girth is when I go back up to the yard

 

[ycbm]

That's difficult! Canter silk mane and tail spray to make everything slide over the hair? Surgical spirit to toughen up the skin (that's a remedy from the dark ages!).
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[Auslander]

That's difficult! Canter silk mane and tail spray to make everything slide over the hair? Surgical spirit to toughen up the skin (that's a remedy from the dark ages!).
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Tried the former - and suggested the latter multiple times, but owner is somewhat anti. He's a scientist, and remains unconvinced by things that don't science

 

[Nicnac]

Ah owner problem. Botox is proven to reduce wrinkles or a good lump of vaseline will stop chafing. Surgical spirit would work as we know.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

What about sewing sheep fluff on the edges? Or a soft fleece?

 

[Auslander]

Ah owner problem. Botox is proven to reduce wrinkles or a good lump of vaseline will stop chafing. Surgical spirit would work as we know.

Funnily enough, I just jokingly suggested botox to him!

 

[Auslander]

What about sewing sheep fluff on the edges? Or a soft fleece?

She's got a really thick soft sheepskin girth cover, with no edges against her skin.

 

[ycbm]

Ah owner problem. Botox is proven to reduce wrinkles or a good lump of vaseline will stop chafing. Surgical spirit would work as we know.

I've been looking it up and it's well known by walkers. The recommendation is to use it with castor oil mixed as it will then prevent the skin from drying out and cracking. I suspect surgical spirit and body lotion will do the same job.
.

 

[hollyandivy123]

going on a different track............. how about one of these or similar, will reduce sweat concentrating

Stubben Cord Girth - Black

Soft fabric cord girth from Stubben With a wide bearing area for comfort Great for horses who are sensitive in the girth area Wash on a cool cycle to ensure it keeps its shape and texture

www.throstlenestsaddlery.co.uk

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Is the girth they use now an anatomical one?

As they are shaped around the elbow so would sit further back.

 

[nutjob]

Can you use a different type of fly rug where the belly piece is not attached to the front so there is no material between the front legs? I also think the wow free space might help and there are now other girths with similar designs (all very expensive!). You used to be able to trial the freespace foc before buying but not sure if that's an option now.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Failing that could something be sewn onto the bug rug to stop it rubbing.

 

[Nicnac]

So many swear by the Stubben girth. I just remember as a kid taking ages to make sure no skin was trapped between the cords. (They defo weren't Stubben!) Maybe they are different these days and less chance of them pinching.

 

[Auslander]

going on a different track............. how about one of these or similar, will reduce sweat concentrating

Stubben Cord Girth - Black

Soft fabric cord girth from Stubben With a wide bearing area for comfort Great for horses who are sensitive in the girth area Wash on a cool cycle to ensure it keeps its shape and texture

www.throstlenestsaddlery.co.uk

Tried one of them, unfortunately

 

[Auslander]

Is the girth they use now an anatomical one?

As they are shaped around the elbow so would sit further back.

It is.

 

[Auslander]

Can you use a different type of fly rug where the belly piece is not attached to the front so there is no material between the front legs? I also think the wow free space might help and there are now other girths with similar designs (all very expensive!). You used to be able to trial the freespace foc before buying but not sure if that's an option now.

She's gets bitten to death in her wrinkles, hence going for the Snuggy with leg covers. I think she'll have to go rugless, and I'll just smother her wrinkles in something good and sticky, which could help with both issues!

 

[cauda equina]

Have they tried a neoprene girth?

If so and it's no good, how about a girth cover made of shiny/slippy material eg silk or satin
I doubt if such things exist, it would probably have to be home made

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Have you tried the hedge witch repellents the spray is brilliant and they do stuff you can rub on.

I've been using the spray for a few weeks and it really does work both of mine have had no rugs on since using it.

 

[hollyandivy123]

I think you need to solve flies first....which will reduce the inflammation and help the girth galls.

Lining the fly rug whete it contacts the chest and leg area with silk material should keep flies off and prevent the rug.

If you look at fabric suppliers you should be able to find off cuts cheap

Search: 26 results found for "Silk"

looking for the perfect curtain & upholstery fabrics for your home? We sell perfect materials with huge discounts of up to 90% off their RRP.

endoflinefabrics.co.uk

 

[SEL]

This used to happen to my old boy - he had really soft hair in his armpits and it just didn't give him much protection.

Flex girth worked for him, but it was trial & error.

 

[Northern Hare]

For her current rubs, caused by the Snuggy Bug Rug, it looks like it's the belly flap that's too long for her, and cutting in behind her elbows. I'd recommend getting a rug repairer to trim away the areas that are too tight around her elbows, and then to trim the edges with neoprene or fleece binding, or something soft.

 

[GoldenWillow]

My mare had wrinkles and got very easily rubbed, she also had scarring in the girth area from before I got her. Although most of the new style girths weren't around then I tried pretty much every style and material. What worked was changing the style of girths around frequently, strangely the girth that was the best on her was a slightly shaped leather girth. In the winter her girth area was never clipped.

 

[HopOnTrot]

You can get runners anti chaff sticks that you put on to lubricate the area but tbh it sounds like a rug problem not a girth problem.

 

[cauda equina]

What about a different style of rug eg this

Bug Buster Fly Rug with Belly Flap

Protect your horse from irritating flies and insects with the Bug Buster Fly Rug with Belly Flap, which provides extra protection under the belly area. Crafted from 100% UV reflective materials, this classic but effective fly rug is complete with a long integrated neck cover for ultimate fly...

www.premierequine.co.uk

It still has a belly flap but can be fitted more loosely

 

[Goldenstar]

On those rubs I would try the lanacane anti chaff stuff .
It’s not a huge area so it will not be too expensive
On the girth when all else is failing an old fashioned cotton string girth is always worth a try .

 

[Irish-Only]

A really old fashioned remedy used was slieving it with rubber inner tube. Everything tells you it won’t work because it will get hot and sweaty, but it really does work.

 

[rabatsa]

I had a driving donkey who was prone to girth galls. What worked for him was putting the girth through an inner tube, cut to length.

I think it worked as the inner tube stayed in place and rolled with the movement.

 

[Auslander]

THanks everyone - I'm reading and taking note of all suggestions