sorry…yet another girth thread!

[dottylottie]

done to death but i’m still not sure what to try…lily has a very forward girth groove, she’s been sore from her saddle not fitting which has now been sorted but body worker also said she was sore over the fascia where her girth sits, the saddle was slipping forward and clearly jabbing her in the armpits!

saddle fitter recommended the girth we’ve been using the last couple years which is a velociti lusso anatomical one, but i’m wondering now if there’s something better for her. i’ll attach photos so you can see the shape of her!

 

[dottylottie]

anyone?!

 

[Exasperated]

anyone?!

Nice section D

 

[Exasperated]

Nice section D

Do you use the metal D for attachments?
The old Albion padded girths, very wide and padded so pressure fully distributed, no leather bindings at the sides - there is currently a short dressage version on eBay, 396526799767, possibly a longer one if you search, never met a Section D these didn’t suit (or any other horse, for that matter), good luck.

 

[sbloom]

Does the saddle now sit further back than the last photo shows? I would suggest the Stubben cord girth as a good inexpensive option, but the saddle placement, and/or even girth tightness, might be part of the issue.

 

[dottylottie]

Does the saddle now sit further back than the last photo shows? I would suggest the Stubben cord girth as a good inexpensive option, but the saddle placement, and/or even girth tightness, might be part of the issue.

it does yeah - that’s purely my fault, i just wacked it on for a photo it now sits nicely behind her shoulder, i’ll get a new photo tonight (if i remember!).

when i put it where it ought to be, and then bring the girth directly round under her belly, the girth is wanting to lie further back than the pony wants it to go if that makes sense - she does have a point strap on the saddle already which i use, and i’ve played around with using different variations but no difference really.

 

[sbloom]

it does yeah - that’s purely my fault, i just wacked it on for a photo it now sits nicely behind her shoulder, i’ll get a new photo tonight (if i remember!).

when i put it where it ought to be, and then bring the girth directly round under her belly, the girth is wanting to lie further back than the pony wants it to go if that makes sense - she does have a point strap on the saddle already which i use, and i’ve played around with using different variations but no difference really.

It will, I specialise in wide horses, cobs etc and girths usually have to be angled forwards (though postural work would help, have a look at the Slow Walk Work group on FB), I have photos of M&M supremes at HOYS etc with angled girths with my saddles! The Stubben can work well, at the moment you have extra pressure on the back edge of your girth anyway, so it's not really working "as advertised" and they don't tend to on round bellies. Ironic as they're the ones with the most pronounced forward girth grooves!

Move the girth forwards before you do it up on the second side.

Do make sure you're not having to tighten the girth too much though, they need their diaphragm to be free, if the girth is too tight and the saddle unstable without it being too tight then you may need a saddle change, or further adjustment. The postural work will help with fitting, for sure.

 

[dottylottie]

It will, I specialise in wide horses, cobs etc and girths usually have to be angled forwards (though postural work would help, have a look at the Slow Walk Work group on FB), I have photos of M&M supremes at HOYS etc with angled girths with my saddles! The Stubben can work well, at the moment you have extra pressure on the back edge of your girth anyway, so it's not really working "as advertised" and they don't tend to on round bellies. Ironic as they're the ones with the most pronounced forward girth grooves!

Move the girth forwards before you do it up on the second side.

Do make sure you're not having to tighten the girth too much though, they need their diaphragm to be free, if the girth is too tight and the saddle unstable without it being too tight then you may need a saddle change, or further adjustment. The postural work will help with fitting, for sure.

thankyou, i was hoping you’d come along with all your wisdom!!

i did see an other threads that you mentioned the stubben being quite wide, i don’t think the photos really show it but the “channel” she has for her girth is really quite narrow, but worth a go i suppose! i will also admit id like something smarter for our dressage/showing ventures

do you have any experience with the mattes girths?

 

[jules9203]

I'm not a saddler but have had a lot success with the Stubben cord girth. The stubben is wide but it is very forgiving as it is so soft. There are a couple of cheaper options but I've found the cord is not so soft

 

[sbloom]

thankyou, i was hoping you’d come along with all your wisdom!!

i did see an other threads that you mentioned the stubben being quite wide, i don’t think the photos really show it but the “channel” she has for her girth is really quite narrow, but worth a go i suppose! i will also admit id like something smarter for our dressage/showing ventures

do you have any experience with the mattes girths?

It can be tricky with a "pouchy" girth groove, you're right. Yes, I've worked with Mattes a long time, their girths are great but obviously fairly expensive, you'd want slimline I'd have thought, I've mostly only worked with the straight shape (for treed saddles) and the athletico (for treeless) so not so good on the other two shapes.

 

[dottylottie]

It can be tricky with a "pouchy" girth groove, you're right. Yes, I've worked with Mattes a long time, their girths are great but obviously fairly expensive, you'd want slimline I'd have thought, I've mostly only worked with the straight shape (for treed saddles) and the athletico (for treeless) so not so good on the other two shapes.

this is a pic after riding - not square and mid itch but the best i could do

i’ve spoken to pink equine who have recommended the slimline crescent girth from mattes, so will possibly look into that one! i don’t mind paying that price for something i won’t need to keep buying, but i don’t want to end up with a collection of unsuitable ones

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I've used a crescent girth on a horse that was similar shaped, and it worked well. A Stubben Equisoft girth worked well for our long billet/dressage saddle. I tried the Mattes Crescent girth, and it was still a lot of girth for this particular horse. It was the slimline version. I also felt like the sheepskin added a bit of instability, but he was a very round horse (even when fit) with a lot of movement to him.

 

[dottylottie]

I've used a crescent girth on a horse that was similar shaped, and it worked well. A Stubben Equisoft girth worked well for our long billet/dressage saddle. I tried the Mattes Crescent girth, and it was still a lot of girth for this particular horse. It was the slimline version. I also felt like the sheepskin added a bit of instability, but he was a very round horse (even when fit) with a lot of movement to him.

thankyou, that’s very helpful!