Saddle cloths that attach to stirrup bars?

[PapaFrita]

Fabian and I disagree as to where saddle cloths and numnahs go attached. I say girth straps (which also looks neater) and he insists it's the stirrup bars (which looks horrible IMO) Anyway, was looking at some dressage photos and the saddle cloths do indeed appear to be attached to the stirrup bars. Is this so, and why?
Thanks

 

[shellonabeach]

Might be completely wrong here but I think rather than attaching to the stirrup bars they are attached to the D rings of the saddle.

I have a couple of saddle cloths - and my nuumed half pad - which attach to the D rings rather than girth straps. The straps for attaching seem much shorter.

 

[PapaFrita]

Oh really? Presumably then the straps have velcro or something?
I bought a fleecy numnah in the UK with ridiculously short straps (noticed when I wanted to attach to saddle) but they're loops (not velcroed) so no way to attach to d-rings

 

[Benjamin]

Girth straps ALL the way!
Although my Keiffer Numnah and Keiffer saddle don't DO that so have to use the D's.

P x

 

[PapaFrita]

I suppose attaching to D rings would make it less hassle to remove saddle cloths after riding? D'you think it's a German thing then?

 

[shellonabeach]

I actually prefer mine which attaches to the D's - it may be the cut but they seem to sit higher in the gullet away from the withers.

Only downside is not much room on D's for breast plate which I use for hacking / fast work.

 

[ihatework]

also for single flap saddles where you can't attach to the girth straps.

 

[MagicMelon]

Never even thought twice about attaching to the girth straps, didnt realise some people attached anywhere else!!

 

[PapaFrita]

But where do they attach to if the loops are too short and not velcroed?

I thought Fabian was barmy, but he might be on to something......

 

[k9h]

Very odd never heard of that. Unless it was a miss made saddle cloth??? Can we have a pic?? Only used D's & girth loops before.

 

[PapaFrita]

Perhaps it was mismade. It's a Shires numnah and my mum has just attached an extra 12 cms to it (THAT'S how short it was-would've just reached ds or stirrup bars)

 

[Santa_Claus]

i know a lot of dressage saddle clothes are designed to attach to the D rings due to a 'Y' arangement to the first girth strap meaning that the cloth strap would pull the girth strap out of place if the saddle slipped.

 

[PapaFrita]

But if they had nice long straps, wouldn't they attach more neatly to the second strap?
I think the numnah I bought must've been a second or summat. NO WAY the loops were going to reach the girth straps.

 

[k9h]

I think it must of been a second just seem so weired?? Plus if you put it on stirrup bars wouldn't it interfer with the stirrup leathers & also pose a serious saftey risk with catching the leather so that it couldn't slide off in the event of a fall or getting caught on something?? Just my opinion?

 

[PapaFrita]

Yep, I agree; HOW inconvenient would it be if you had to take your leathers OFF to attach or remove saddle cloth?? I'll tell Fabian he's off his trolley!

 

[S_N]

Is this the PINK one you bought down here? How skilled are you with a needle and thread? If it was me, I'd un pick where the tabs are stitched together and sew on some velcro, enabling you to attach it to the D-rings. I did this to a neon blue saddle cloth for Tops - though I have since sold it on e-bay.

 

[PapaFrita]

Nope, it's a black faux sheepskin one I got on Ebay (but now you've made me wonder!). Mum has already extended tabs to reach girth, although I DID think about velcro straps. Thing is, I thought they would get in the way of breast plate if attached to D-rings.

 

[S_N]

Ahhhh yes, probably would eh! Have you tried the elasticated breastplate that you bought at Crosswinds yet? I want to know what you think of it pwease?

 

[PapaFrita]

I love the breastplate but, typically, it's a bit too big for PF! If I adjust carefully, I expect it'll be ok though.