Opinions: Treeless Saddle, Dressage String Girth Length??

[hopo]

I have a barefoot treeless saddle with dressage girth straps. My pony is a 13.2 Arab type. Measured her several times and assuming I'm doing it right I came up with 24". Does that sound normal? She actually measured 25 and a half inches but thought 26" might be too big. I'm very worried about rubbing behind her elbow from buckles. Shes already been rubbed after one ride. I measured about 4 or 5 hole from the top an inch or two below saddle cloth. Would it matter if the buckles were resting on the cloth (obviously covered). I want to get a straight string mohair girth but not had one before and don't know if they stretch much etc. What are your average measurements? I did have a 16" on her but think now that was way too short! But 24" sounds loads bigger. Basically i havnt got a clue girth is from america and not too cheap and may take a while so would really like right one first time! Help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[hopo]

Bump

 

[kaiserchief]

I had a 24" dressage girth on my stocky 13.2hh pony when she was treeless so that sounds about right. You want the buckles to be above the elbows and if they overlap the cloth a little, it's not the end of the world but may affect your saddle stability. Here's a photo of my mare showing where her girth did up:

 

[catkin]

I have the same brand saddle as the photo above (slightly different model) and my girth is as long, and comes as far up the pony's belly - not had any stability problems but that may not necessarily be the case with a different make.

Have you got a sheepskin girth cover? I have a very long one that comes up to just over the bottom of the pad on both sides - we've modified it so that there is a semi-circle cut out to get to the buckles and straps. My very sensitive pony really likes the sheepskin and it doesn't rub.

With regard to the string/cord girths - I use one on my treed saddle and it appears to be very comfortable for the horse. If you are looking to get a dressage-girth length one make sure it has buckleguards on or it will sore the horse ( a good saddler can make you a pair of guards)

 

[hopo]

Thanks both. I haven't got a sheepskin cover but I think the shape and size are wrong for her with the girth iv got so thought string might be a good option. Kaiser, how far is your girth roughly from the top hole? And cute pony! And catkin, did you find the string girth stretched at all?

 

[catkin]

Thanks both. I haven't got a sheepskin cover but I think the shape and size are wrong for her with the girth iv got so thought string might be a good option. Kaiser, how far is your girth roughly from the top hole? And cute pony! And catkin, did you find the string girth stretched at all?

I have the Stubben string girth. It hasn't stretched in length though when it goes on the individual strands move a bit to allow for the contours of the belly (hope that makes sense) - that's what makes it such a comfortable girth I guess.

As far as the length of the girth on my Freeform treeless goes - the top of the buckle guard comes right up to the top of the individual girth straps on mine and the buckle does up two holes down.

 

[hopo]

I have the Stubben string girth. It hasn't stretched in length though when it goes on the individual strands move a bit to allow for the contours of the belly (hope that makes sense) - that's what makes it such a comfortable girth I guess.

As far as the length of the girth on my Freeform treeless goes - the top of the buckle guard comes right up to the top of the individual girth straps on mine and the buckle does up two holes down.

Great,thanks for that. Who knew its so hard to fit a girth! That's what I thought with string, more contoured/supple than leather hopefully. Oh and you don't find with the girth so high that the buckles are under your legs at all?

 

[pip6]

Personally I stay well away from leather, as they always rub my arabs. I've found any girth with a seam does. The best ones I've found are Podium neoprene girths (expensive but worth every penny), or Wintec elastic dressage girths where the ends tuck in so the outside is seamless (see piccie with Podium saddle).

You should only need sheepskin cover to absorb sweat, making it nice for horse. Don't use one as an excuse for girth that would otherwise rub.

Podium saddle & girth:

 

[hopo]

Thanks pip. I think I'm pretty much set on the string though I've heard good things about the wintec.