overgirths? does anyone still use them?

[_daisy_]

was tidying up yesterday and found my mares overgirth, thought nothing of it till i was looking at cross countrying tomorrow and it got me thinking - do people still use overgirths anymore? if not why?

 

[gails]

I did, my boy used to get realley sensitive.

Now retired, but I know a couple of people who use them

 

[dopeesophee]

whats an over girth?
like a stud girth attatchment thing?

if it is i was going to get one, but have decided to get a proper stud girth

 

[BSJAlove]

yes! my old pony used to be sensitive. i used to get looks because it was really puffy but never mind. it did its job!!

 

[_daisy_]

no its just a thin (3inch wide?) webbing/elastic/leather girth that goes over your saddle aswell and fastens underneath, and is worn along with your normal girth. i was always told its just incase your girth breaks (not that they would do much good but at least youd have something as back up in the short time before pulloing up?

 

[Dotilas]

_daisy_, I imagine that if you were going XC in the old fashioned string girths if your horse caught a stud in it, an over girth would be useful...

I don't think they're really needed as much these days, although you have to wear them for pony club racing!

 

[jillygem]

Most people at our RC/PC use them for X Country, heard from somewhere they were going to become compulsory for eventing but not sure on that one. To be honest, now a days when has anyones girth ever broken with them x country?!

 

[_daisy_]

really? i can understand why they could become compulsary.
i know what you mean about how many girths break but i suppose you can never say never, its one of those freak accidents and id prefer to wear one just incase cos knowing my luck mine would break.

 

[marmalade76]

They are also supposed to stop the saddle slipping. I heard they were not reccomended anymore because they stop the stirrups from coming off the bar if a rider was dragged.

 

[jillygem]

Never thought about the stirrup issue, scary!! Also seen so many people not putting the over girth through the martingale/breastplate loop which may lead to the over girth slipping back and little kids getting bucked around the warm up with no idea why!

 

[milliepops]

I used to use one for xc until I caught my spur in it somehow

... Never used it since. These days I think that girths are (usually) much better quality, and I know I check my girth straps regularly so don't see the need for an overgirth really any more.

Tbh, I think my stirrup leathers are the weak link in my xc kit at the moment... better go shopping