Short Girth for very narrow horse & forward girth groove

equidstar11

equidstar11

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any recommendations for short girths that sit well on narrow horses / has a forward groove too - and is a right sensitive flower.

Girth needs to be quite long to reach bottom flap of saddle (80/85cm) (32/34”)

He’s quite deep but narrow, underneath in middle is very narrow and almost to a small platform, and then stays narrow until he widens in the middle.

Currently in a fairfax as his girth groove is also quite forward and so the cut away at the elbow is great, but I don’t think it’s spreading the load very well underneath etc.

Tried a normal, straight cut dressage girth with sheepskin but it’s sitting too forward in his elbow and seems to hit when he’s moving.

Tempted to try a cord girth and DIY some buckle pads like the stubben, rather than spending a lot of money but I worry the shape will also interfere with his elbow.

Any suggestions (preferably not £££) would be great!
 
It is £££ but maybe there will be one 2nd hand - the WOW H-girth with a narrow panel has worked for my pony who has a very forward girth groove and not much room in her armpits. If you buy new then straps can be whatever length you order.

I have a narrow sternum plate on mine which I can't see on the website so might have been a special order
 
I've been debating on the H girth and I've seen some secondhand ones at astonishingly low prices in the UK. Of course I'm not in the UK so this doesn't really benefit me 🙃 a new synthetic one is too crazy in price. I have no idea if mine will like it but it looks like it'd be good for his shape. Might be worth a try for you too?

Mine has been going in a Mattes asymmetrical girth, which gives elbow room, but isn't on the cheaper side.
 
SEL said:
It is £££ but maybe there will be one 2nd hand - the WOW H-girth with a narrow panel has worked for my pony who has a very forward girth groove and not much room in her armpits. If you buy new then straps can be whatever length you order.

I have a narrow sternum plate on mine which I can't see on the website so might have been a special order
Click to expand...
I already have a WOW freespace girth (for another horse) but he really didn’t like it, despite it fitting pretty well and having the buckles right up to the flap. I think the smaller pressure points don’t suit him.
I’ve seen a few photos of the H girth and it still looks like the front strap sits in the elbow too so I’m not sure.
CanteringCarrot said:
I've been debating on the H girth and I've seen some secondhand ones at astonishingly low prices in the UK. Of course I'm not in the UK so this doesn't really benefit me 🙃 a new synthetic one is too crazy in price. I have no idea if mine will like it but it looks like it'd be good for his shape. Might be worth a try for you too?

Mine has been going in a Mattes asymmetrical girth, which gives elbow room, but isn't on the cheaper side.
Click to expand...
The mattes asymmetric does look like the right shape (especially the slimline) but over £200 and I can’t try one out so I’m a bit reluctant. Perhaps if I can sell my current one I could order and try.

Was hoping for some cheap copies that might be the right shape.
 
equidstar11 said:
I already have a WOW freespace girth (for another horse) but he really didn’t like it, despite it fitting pretty well and having the buckles right up to the flap. I think the smaller pressure points don’t suit him.
I’ve seen a few photos of the H girth and it still looks like the front strap sits in the elbow too so I’m not sure.

The mattes asymmetric does look like the right shape (especially the slimline) but over £200 and I can’t try one out so I’m a bit reluctant. Perhaps if I can sell my current one I could order and try.

Was hoping for some cheap copies that might be the right shape.
Click to expand...

There are cheaper options out there. Shires has some shaped options, and FSS has some similar shapes to Mattes. Werner Christ is usually less than Mattes and has similar shapes. I'd also just comb through eBay and FB groups. Lots of lightly used tack out there.
 
PinkvSantaboots said:
I use a Kentaur leather girth on my sensitive forward girth groove horse they are lovely girths.
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Do you use a long or short girth?

Wondering if I should try switching my billets to short ones and going back to using a long girth. Perhaps he doesn’t like the positioning of the buckles on his sides (even though they are padded and right up to the bottom of the flap)
 
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