Talk to me about string girths

CluelessShowjumper

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String girths - what size would one order? My horse has outgrown his 54 inch stud girth with elastics both sides). Google hasn’t been super helpful in helping me decide if I should order a 56 inch or a bigger size string girth.

(Have done my research and a string girth seems to be the only one that every one recommends for a really difficult to girth fit horse) (he is not difficult to girth just difficult coz of his shape).
 
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I used Stubben ones for years, no idea on the size v elastic ones, but be aware they will shrink dramatically if not hand washed in cool water. Other than that, they were brilliant, with no rubbing on the horse.
 
Stubben cord girths are great. They stretch a little in use.
Great care must be taken when washing them. The cross threads joining the 'strings' are the worst. They go tight and fluffy if washed in too warm water. The strings will shorten too but not I've found as quickly as the cross threads. I wash mine at 30 degrees short wash in a wash bag to avoid tangling. Eventually I'm afraid they do shrink but not for years if you're careful.
I have used them for years on various horses including apart Arab, a Warmblood, a TB X, a cob X and a Connemara but nothing a large as yours.
 
As short as possible, the higher the buckle goes under the leg the less stability you have and the more likely you are to have pressure marks on the flaps (on the sweat flap where there is on, through to the top flap too) and even a pressure point under the rider's leg, and a bit of bulk that can make the leg go forwards.

Bear in mind they're really wide girths. On saddles with 4+ girth straps you may not be able to use them on the middle, close set straps without overlapping the bit immediately below the buckle. Otherwise, I highly recommend!

Sizing is in cm which for most sizes is roughly odd number inches, going from a strong elasticated girth I would go up 1", so 3" might be the best bet so not go too long, but hard to advise without seeing how much too short the current girth is.
 
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I have one for my dressage saddle and horse seems to love it. I went up a size as that’s what the website suggested and I also bought some buckle covers so there is no chance of the buckles pinching my horse. Mine is from Kramer and I’m pleased with it, although haven’t washed it so far!!
 
Stubben one’s are great but you need to wash them in a cool wash or they do shrink. I used to hand wash mine in the sink, came up brilliantly each time and lay flat to dry. There is no give in them whatsoever so you need to size up from elastic x
 
Definitely wash them carefully - mine was originally for the 16.1hh it now only fits my 14.2hh 🤣

Good girth though.
 
As short as possible, the higher the buckle goes under the leg the less stability you have and the more likely you are to have pressure marks on the flaps (on the sweat flap where there is on, through to the top flap too) and even a pressure point under the rider's leg, and a bit of bulk that can make the leg go forwards.

Bear in mind they're really wide girths. On saddles with 4+ girth straps you may not be able to use them on the middle, close set straps without overlapping the bit immediately below the buckle. Otherwise, I highly recommend!

Sizing is in cm which for most sizes is roughly odd number inches, going from a strong elasticated girth I would go up 1", so 3" might be the best bet so not go too long, but hard to advise without seeing how much too short the current girth is.
Thank you so much for this.

I am going to swop my short girth over aswell.
 
Love the Stubben, wash with woolite on a delicates wash and they’ll be fine. I wash after every second use - or if I do a really long ride. I have two - one is the same length as my elasticated girth and one the next size up. The shorter is def more stable. EBay is a great place to pick them up but check photos carefully - you do see ones people have washed and the cross yhreads have felted.
 
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