Those with wintec elastic girths...

[FinkleyAlex]

Hi all, I tried my new wintec elastic girth yesterday but had a few issues with it. Firstly, it's the one which has elastic running all the way through it so it isn't elasticated at one side. Secondly my saddle (a Kent and masters) was specifically ordered for my horse (who is fairly flat backed and a little short backed) by a qualified saddler and has been fitted with no issues (when I use a different girth).

Yesterday I had a lesson and in walk and trot the saddle and girth were fine, however every time I cantered my saddle ended up crawling towards his neck! My horse has a big powerful canter but my saddle has never moved before. It does the same when I've tightened it so it's quite snug etc. Is this normal with wintec elastic girths? I had read such positive reviews. My previous girth was a thorowgood non elastic one, but I always felt like it would be uncomfortable due to the constant tension/lack of give...

 

[lelly]

I would be interested to hear people's answers to this post. I too have just swapped from a non elastic thorowgood girth to the elastic wintec after reading great reviews. I have only ridden with it a couple of times but my youngster is having a holiday now so haven't had much chance to see how it goes.

 

[milliepops]

no idea as I haven't ever owned a wintec girth, but I do use non-elasticated girths all the time and actually I think the horses are better for it.
with an elasticated girth it's easy to overtighten them. I think lots of people overestimate how tight they need the girth to be. if you've got a tight elastic girth then it would remain stretched against the horse even when the rib cage contracts. I think fairfax found in their research that elastic girths contribute to instability of the saddle, so perhaps not a surprise that you've found the same, OP.

 

[sbloom]

Have you ever tried actually stretching these girths? If they have any stretch at all it is absolutely minimal. I fit wide horses and ponies as a specialism and recommend girths with elastic both ends precisely FOR stability reasons. Fairfax are welcome to come test my saddles .

The elastic, physics dictates, will contract when the ribcage moves, a fixed girth will not, elastic only stretches to the extent that it needs to and by its very nature stretches back. Overtightening is user error, but it depends on the individual saddle, how it fits, and the horse, as to exactly which girth will give the best solution. Certainly sounds like this isn't the one for you.

I recommend a wide, shaped padded leather Atherstone (not the ones with the narrow band down the middle) with elastic both ends, the Harry Dabbs elasticated synthetic girth, and Stubben Trevira. Thorowgoods are okay but the padding interferes with the sweat flap as you tighten it. In case anyone thinks this is advertising I don't stock any of these three brands, just recommend them or not!

 

[milliepops]

Have you ever tried actually stretching these girths? If they have any stretch at all it is absolutely minimal. I fit wide horses and ponies as a specialism and recommend girths with elastic both ends precisely FOR stability reasons. Fairfax are welcome to come test my saddles .

fair enough, but it does sound like the only change the OP has made is adding elastic, and the saddle is suddenly moving

 

[Sealine]

I have always used the Wintec Chafeless elastic girth on my current horse and haven't had any problem with my saddle moving. I do use a hunting breastplate though as my horse has massive shoulders and his saddle is inclined to slip back.

 

[Annagain]

I've used the Wintec Elastic girths for years and never had any problems with moving saddles.

 

[Kezzabell2]

I had one and loved it! but my saddle fitter has changed mine to a leather girth with elastics on both ends, if I'm honest I don't notice any difference between either of them, I just use what I'm told to use, haha

 

[iknowmyvalue]

Used the wintec elastic girths on all my horses, one chubby cob pony and one tb/wb type and never had any problems with either, even without a breastplate. New boy doesn't have one (yet!) but probably will once his girth size stops changing (he's in fat club right now )

 

[Zipzop]

I was always taught that if it's something with a flat back or if the saddle has any inclination to move around not to use any girths with elastic as if you girth correctly and don't over girth then the elastic just stretches and allows the saddle to do it's own thing. I use a thorowgood cob girth on my flat backed very fat cob without problems .

 

[sbloom]

I was always taught that if it's something with a flat back or if the saddle has any inclination to move around not to use any girths with elastic as if you girth correctly and don't over girth then the elastic just stretches and allows the saddle to do it's own thing. I use a thorowgood cob girth on my flat backed very fat cob without problems .

Lots of people are told this but it's not universally true. The elastic does need to be strong, loose elastic like in some older Aerborn girths (I think newer ones are better) are next to useless. As a specialist I fit mostly cobs and natives and use elastic girths, both ends, almost all the time, as it's all that I carry in stock, and we chose the design on purpose. With what I believe is a correctly fitting saddle the elastic allows much more for the swing of the ribcage, and pulls the saddle around less, not more. I see fixed girths overtightened all the time in order to keep saddles still.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

I have used one of these ever since I got my current horse simply because it is impossible to over tighten it as you are tacking up. They obviously do stretch a bit once you are on but so do most girths. I like the girth a lot as it doesn't have an edge or hard seam if that makes sense so doesn't rub at all. My saddle doesn't move a jot with it and I don't even use a breastplate out hunting preferring to have a martingale so I can use the neck strap properly.

I wonder if your saddle is 100% right or whether it needs a very tight girth with no give in it to keep it stable. You say your horse is short backed - do you think his powerful movement behind is pushing the saddle forwards because it is a tiny bit too long? Just a thought.