Sore girth area

Archie Two Tone

Archie Two Tone

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3 July 2011
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Can anyone offer me any advice? My 15.2h Section D Archie has developed a tender girth area, particularly around his elbow area. The skin isn't sore as such it appears as though the area is bruised as whenever I do his girth up or even brush that area he gets unhappy (he's normally very laid back and never waspy when I do his girth up). I've heard that the synthetic/leather girths can cause this. I use a Thorogood synthetic/leather girth and recently I've been using a girth sleeve to try and help the problem but it doesn't seem to have helped - any thoughts/advice would be much appreciated to help my lovely Boy! :(:confused:
 
I'm not going to say that it's your girth causing the problem, but I'm not a fan of synthetic girths. I like a nice soft leather Atherstone, never had any problems using them.

I think that I would bathe the girth are in salt water for a few days, then soak some cotton wool in surgical spirit or witch hazel, and rub that in at least once a day. This will help toughen up the skin.
 
I've always used that type of girth, I like them because of the elastic although I suppose ideally I'd have leather, I hate trying to do up a girth without it especially on a fidgety tall horse! Any evidence of back pain (girth pulling saddle down) or has he put on/lost weight recently?

Do you do it up gradually? I have to do mine on first hole each side then go up one hole each side, walk around a bit then do again (that one is non elasticated).

I'm sure there are lots of girths to try though!
 
Is the saddle slipping forward at all.
To keep it in place do you use the first and third girth straps?
Is the girth too tight, I know some people tend to pull up tight even before they mount.
Do you use a mounting block and avoid pulling yourself on board?
Is the skin irritated?
Make sure he is clean before and after work, use a mild lavender wash of similar. Clean the tack every time you use it.
............. just a few things to look at............ maybe two or three days off.
 
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as one of them is a thorogood I am presuming it only has elastic on one side? does the leather one have elastic.

I don't have the same problem with my welshie.. rather he has a forwards girth groove and can tend to loose the hair on the back of his elbows :rolleyes: I use a aerborn waffle atherstone that has elastic on both sides, with a nuumed sleeve sometimes (though I try not to) The waffle seems to suit him better than leather.
 
Thanks for all of the suggestions guys. I'm having his back checked tomorrow and his saddle (Wintec wide GP saddle) re-fitted again at the end of the week to check that we're using the correct gullet. He does change shape quite a lot and in the summer tends to get fatty pads on his shoulder/rib cage area so I will point this out to the saddle fitter & explain this girth area sensitivity to see if he has any recommendations. In response to the questions tho, it is an elasticated girth which I do up gradually using the 1st & 4th girth strap (the Wintec wide saddle has 4 girth straps!). I pull his front legs forward to avoid the elbow skin getting caught. I always use a mounting block/gate unless I'm in the middle of a field and the area is always clean before work and any sweat washed off after work. Fingers crossed the chiropractor/saddle fitter can shed some light!!!
 
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