Scharf freedom vs Stubben Equisoft

[Morganella]

Hi! I’m wondering if anyone has tried the gp/jumping version of the Scharf Freedom and the Stubben Equisoft? If so, which do you prefer and why?
My boy is very round and isn’t a fan of the girth. I had the Stubben on back order - 3 months later and still no sign, so took the plunge and have the Scharf on trial. I’m not convinced and have a week left to trial it. It’s too loose on two holes and a bit too tight on three. No improvement when doing up the girth - whereas everyone raves about how instant the effects are. I’m wondering if the Stubben would be better as the Scharf has pads at the sides which might not be best for the rounder type, whereas the Stubben is straps...

Any experience and views welcome please

 

[Red-1]

I trialled the Stubben, just because the trial was free. The horse hated it as the edge of the pad dug in. The pad was too big. Only lunged in it, didn't ride as I could see it was going to rub and annoy. The lady in the shop, when I took it back said other people had found the same and had cut the outer pad off.

I did have one horse who loved the Fairfax, but generally I have found that if the saddle fits and the horse doesn't have ulcers, any nice soft girth is comfortable.

The Scharf looks a dodgy design to me! All that movement through one strap. I prefer my girth to have 2 straps, just for my nerves!

 

[Morganella]

Thank you! That’s really helpful with the Stubben. We always have the issue of very tight underneath but loose at the sides, so it doesn’t sound like the right solution.
The one strap isn’t an issue on the Scharf as it’s quite sturdy. I was 100% for sending it back after the weekend but the session yesterday went better, so back to being on the fence!!
Thankfully no ulcers and the saddle is checked every 6 months - he’s just a round type with flat withers, so difficult to stop a bit of movement with the saddle.

 

[Muddywellies]

Friend of mine had the Stubben and it didn't keep her saddle still. I think these companies are simply coming up with new inventions, with clever marketing strategies to get us to part with our pennies, but sometimes you just can't improve on a simple, decent quality girth.

 

[Renvers]

I tried both and also the Prestige RP which both horses much preferred. Initially I was worried about the size of the pad over the sternum, it is quite big, but fits well and horses are still going well in it.

 

[Austen123]

i have the stubben with the lambwool pad and was impressed with the difference in my horse

 

[DirectorFury]

I have the Stubben. Horse seems to like it more than the Acavallo gel girth it replaced but I’m not entirely sure that justifies the price! Her trot is definitely bigger/looser but I’m not sure if that’s the girth or the fact we’ve been working on it.
If I’d trialled it first I wouldn’t have bothered buying it - it’s fine now I’ve got it so I’ll keep using it but I wouldn’t buy it twice iyswim.

 

[TPO]

I *think* @Hallo2012 possibly posted about trialling different girths, including these, on her wee welsh. I think she has possibly commented about his flat withers too regarding saddle fitting; drawing my own conclusion your horses are possibly similar shapes.

Might be worth PMing her if she doesnt see this thread