Tips for a Girthy mare?

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Harri Green

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So I've just bought a new mare, quiet little thing, 5 y/o 7/8th TB, no major issues, straightforward but is a bit girthy. It's not major, she's fine to saddle, the saddle fits etc. She literally just doesn't like the girth being tightened and turns around and makes faces and pretends she's going to bite. I've got a humane girth with a sheepskin sleeve.
As I've never really had a girthy horse before I'm not sure what to do! I'm being ever so gentle and stroking her girth area, not doing it tightly straight away, lifting her legs to stretch out once it's on. Anything I'm doing wrong or can try??

She's just been 5 stage vetted 6 days ago and there's nothing wrong with her or the tack.
 
It is possible she may have gastric ulcers as these can make them girthy. Humane girths are no thought not to be very good either for girthy horses. ergonomically shaped girths are best with elastic inserts.
 
Wierdly the two girthy horses I have had have both been far, far better with humane girths than ones with elastic. I am not a fan of them but they worked well for those two.
 
I've done a lot with Balance saddles, and have seen a number of horses go from being girthy with their traditional saddle to having no reaction at all to the girth when it's being used to hold a Balance on. The horse is the best judge of saddle fit, perhaps it is trying to tell you that it's not actually very comfortable.
 
Thanks guys. I've got my Physio coming to see her tomorrow but I think I'll try a wide comfort elasticated girth in a different size x
 
My mare is evil having her girth done up - no medical conditions, just grumpy. I have found an elastic acted girth is much, much better and now all I get is a glare, rather than a lunge at me! Oh, and I have learnt to keep my eyes on her and move quick, just in case!!!
 
Mine is girthy too but has no medical problems. She always nudges me with her nose as if to say "be careful"! I find she's a lot better if distracted with a haynet, and also if I do the girth up loosely, give her a few minutes and then come back to tighten it. Not sure if it's because the saddle has warmed up, she's got used to the idea of the girth or what. She's been a lot better since I started doing one hole at a time and giving her a pat after each hole if she hasn't reacted.
 
webble said:
I would scope for ulcers, check her back/saddle fit and ovaries to rule out any pain issues
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You would scope for gastric ulcers purely on something being girthy?


For hundreds of years there have been horses that, funnily enough, dont like a strap being tightened around its chest without people immediately assuming EGUS.

Unless the horse is showing any other signs of ulcers then scoping would be madness based on how much of an intrusive operation it is.
 
chrisritch said:
You would scope for gastric ulcers purely on something being girthy?


For hundreds of years there have been horses that, funnily enough, dont like a strap being tightened around its chest without people immediately assuming EGUS.

Unless the horse is showing any other signs of ulcers then scoping would be madness based on how much of an intrusive operation it is.
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Would not necessarily scope at that point but would certainly observe the horse carefully for any other signs, double check the management and perhaps look again at the diet.

Agree with you that there are other reasons for girthyness. Particularly if as the OP says she's a sweet natured little mare, then I'd want to at least have a full list of possibilities, even if only to rule them out, to get to the bottom of what's causing the objection.
 
chrisritch said:
You would scope for gastric ulcers purely on something being girthy?


For hundreds of years there have been horses that, funnily enough, dont like a strap being tightened around its chest without people immediately assuming EGUS.

Unless the horse is showing any other signs of ulcers then scoping would be madness based on how much of an intrusive operation it is.
Click to expand...

Ha ha I read the second post saying 'its possible she has ulcers' as being by the OP!! (shouldnt post before second coffee of the read) No probably not in that case unless she has other symptoms or is at high risk
 
My horse showed no other signs of having ulcers that being girthy, oh and he cribs but regardless since his treatment he is fine being girthed. Unless you get a scope you will not know. The other possibility is getting gastrogard and giving it for a week and seeing any change.

Mine used to snap when doing the girth up, even doinbg it bit by bit.

Feed change may help.
 
I'll also consider her diet when I've tried a different girth then. She did have an upset tummy from being on haylage when she came to me. I've only had her a week but have seen a huge improvement in her droppings already, although I won't rule out gastric ulcer possibilities x
 
Have you tried a string girth? I love my Stubben string girth, it never rubs and every horse I've used it on seems to love it which includes one horse who was a bit girthy (it didn't solve his faces, but he made them far less with this one). Do it up loosely and slowly do it up a hole over a few minutes.
 
20 years ago, you would have given the horse a slap for trying to bite you when doing the girth up, now its a full bodywork/ultrasound every part of the animal ... :p
 
Like I say, I had a 5 stage vetting where the vet watched me tack up and her being girthy 6 days ago, and he wasn't concerned. so for now I'll try the less expensive and panicky suggestions! Many thanks
 
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