Over-tightening girths, the effect...

kerilli

kerilli

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this is quoted from COTH, where they're talking about elastic and non-elastic girths etc:

"There was at least one study (I think it was a series) in Australia a few years back that linked over-tightening the girth to a drop in performance on the racetrack. If the girth is too tight, the horse can't breath properly.

Okay -- here's a write-up from the Blood-Horse in 2001.

Girth Tightness and Performance

Quote:
On average, for each kilogram of increase in girth tension over five kilograms, the horses in the study became fatigued 81.3 meters (0.05 miles or 88.9 yards) sooner and tired 12 seconds quicker."

"It is our view that girths are frequently over-tightened," Slocombe said. "Riders should be aware that there is an optimum tension, probably at least eight to 10 kilograms, in order to prevent saddle slippage. But if it is much higher than that, it will begin to have a negative impact on the horse's performance."

Interesting, huh?
 
I remember that article and have not over tightened my girth since - the problem with the elastic and humane girths is that its easier for people to over-tighten them - so they end up being tighter than a plain leather girth (or with as little give as a normal girth). I like the professional choice neoprene girth as it gives a little more stickability and keeps the saddle in place without having to be too tight.
 
Very interesting research, but how is the average rider meant to know how much tension they are applying? I know I do up to the 5th hole on both sides then another one hole when I'm on, that's enough to keep the saddle in place. But I have no idea what the tension is.

Interestingly (or not, depends what you find interesting..!!) it is point 9 in the 1934 book 'A Handbook for Horse Owners' - 'Don't tighten the girths unduly'.
This is after point 8 which says 'Don't ride your horse in bandages', and point 19 which states 'Do not assume that your horse is stupid. Give him credit for intelligence.'
 
That is really interesting, its a significant drop in performance!!

There is also the impact on the muscles of the girth area which on some horses become tight and sore from over tightening the girth. The amount of horses i have seen and\or treated with issues in the muscles in that area is quite significant and it is my belief that it comes from girths being too tight.

The elasticated girth versus the non elasticated girths could also be an interesting debate, "old school" horse people tend not to like elasticated girths as they find it easier for people to over tighten!
 
Very interesting. It would seem that many people these days don't realise that if you do use an elasticated (one side) girth, the elasticshould be on the off side, in order that you can keep tightening the girth by stretching the elastic. Even with double sided elastic, care should always be taken to not simply stretch the elastic as you tighten.

I understand that girths that have the elasticin the middle, under the horse are the best to use if you want this tyoe of girth.

Personally, I'm really bad at tightening girths. I put on the saddle in the stable and rarely touch the girth again. Last year at the RC champs, I came out of my 2nd SJ and realised I hadn;t tightened the girth after loosening it after the 1st round! Hole 2 on both sides - oops!, but then again, no slippage and horse jumped fine :)
 
PF, i think it's a double-edged sword... elasticated girths have a nice bit of give, so they're easier to over-tighten.
it's a particularly difficult balance on a young horse too... you don't want the saddle to move at all in case it frightens the horse, but if the girth's overtight then the horse might get upset because of that.

i think girths with elastic at 1 end are the absolute work of the devil, personally. a v experienced saddler told me they're the reason a lot of horses veer in midair over jumps (girth gives on 1 side as horse lifts and expands ribcage as it brings its forelegs up, which makes saddle gullet sort of 'jack-knife' along top of spine...)
elastic in the middle or not at all, for me...
 
Just wondering if there is method people work to on how tight a girth ideally should be so not to be over tight :confused:
 
**hangs head in shame**

didn't know you could get girths with central elastic - which brands?

Need a new girth - Barry's is on top hole each side and still actually looks loose :D:eek:
 
I think I’m probably the opposite and might have mine on the loose side – I like to comfortably be able to fit my hand flat between girth and horse (I have a girth thats elasticated on both sides). Makes me wince when I see people on the yard hauling the girth up once they are on / ask me to haul their girths up. I’m guessing i'm completely wrong?? but my saddle fits well and has never slipped….despite jerry's acrobatics (tempting fate or what?!)
 
I was always taught that you should be able to slip your hand under the girth.

Thats intresting about the one sided girths moving the saddle sideways, i had not even thought of that being a possibility!
 
yes, i like to have the width of my flat hand, maybe a tiny bit tighter for xc.
stroppymare, i'm not sure about the make of mine, i have lovely thick padded leather girths with the elastic in the middle over the padded sleeve, so it can't rub the horse. i've had them so long i can't remember where they came from!
Allover, i'd never thought of it either but it makes sense, esp with horses veering in midair. also, it's ridiculous that we try so hard to make everything as even as possible but will use a totally asymmetric girth...
 
I always forget to do up my girth, I don't know why.

I could be schooling for about 20mins and look down and realise I could fit a fist between pony and the girth.

I hate seeing over tight girths though, and pulling the girth up very tight before you even get on.
 
Well - have to admit I had no idea elasticated girth should be on off side so thanks for putting me straight! I find that I can do most things on my mare without having to overtighten at all (normally ticked off for having girth too loose) BUT my girls'ponies are another matter altogether! We have had all sorts of changes of saddles and fitters and they are so hard to get right that we find that they need tightening far more than the horses. Anyone else have this problem with small 'table backed' ponies?
 
I have girths which are elastic on both sides so where does that leave me? and another one for asking how you can work out the correct tension? I was taught that there should be no real gap but now you are worrying me!
 
Certainly with the racehorses an overtight girth will reduce performance and can increase the likelihood of a horse bleeding if they are that way inclined. In NH racing a wide girth is preferable for comfort and a really wide girth can make a huge difference to how some horses move in dressage.
 
I notice a very marked difference in my lads way of going and overall performance if his girth has been over tightened. This is interesting.
 
I gear check at Pony Club competitions and constantly find that girths are over tightened. Mine are tightened only to keep the saddle in pplace - often been advised that my girth is too loose but I've never had my saddle slip in 45yrs of riding.
 
I am pretty sure this research was linked to the Sci girth, that had a system to tell what tension you had (indicator orange dot system)

However they flopped as not many people wanted to pay over £100 for them!

Anyway I always use an elasticated girth - either both ends or entire length. My reasoning is that even tight, the horse can still flex and breathe. Whereas a flat unforgiving belt is not ergonomic - you would want an athlete to use something that moves with them not be fixed.

One sided elasticated is just illogical on something you want to keep symmetrical (your neddie), so therefore the work of the devil and ought to be thrown in the bin
 
Is it just me or are the first and thrid links to the same girth? The pictures look identical, but link one is £55 and link three £116.99!!!
That's more than double - The Cheek
 
Just try this on yourselves and then try to run then think of your poor horse with your weight to contend with too -

Tighten up your trouser belt so it is uncomfortably tight (but as tight as you would normally have your girths) Then run a 100 yards - then try not to feel as if you can't breath and are cut in too.

Makes us see it from their perspective then.

I was always taught the flat of my hand and no tighter and that would have been with no elastic at all.
 
Maesfen said:
Just try this on yourselves and then try to run then think of your poor horse with your weight to contend with too -

Tighten up your trouser belt so it is uncomfortably tight (but as tight as you would normally have your girths) Then run a 100 yards - then try not to feel as if you can't breath and are cut in too.

Makes us see it from their perspective then.

I was always taught the flat of my hand and no tighter and that would have been with no elastic at all.
Click to expand...

To get an even better idea, place the belt - done up tight around your ribs just below your ampits - its equivalent place on the horse. Then try to walk to the end of the street - not comfortable at all.
 
kerilli said:
this is quoted from COTH, where they're talking about elastic and non-elastic girths etc:

"There was at least one study (I think it was a series) in Australia a few years back that linked over-tightening the girth to a drop in performance on the racetrack. If the girth is too tight, the horse can't breath properly.

Okay -- here's a write-up from the Blood-Horse in 2001.

Girth Tightness and Performance

Quote:
On average, for each kilogram of increase in girth tension over five kilograms, the horses in the study became fatigued 81.3 meters (0.05 miles or 88.9 yards) sooner and tired 12 seconds quicker."

"It is our view that girths are frequently over-tightened," Slocombe said. "Riders should be aware that there is an optimum tension, probably at least eight to 10 kilograms, in order to prevent saddle slippage. But if it is much higher than that, it will begin to have a negative impact on the horse's performance."

Interesting, huh?
Click to expand...

Lukey soon tel;ls you if you've done the girth too tight.......it's one of my pet hates tbh. The girth shouldn't be as tight as you can possibly get it, it should be tight enough to keep the saddle in it's place.
 
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