Tricky girthing situation advice please

[abb123]

I have an 8 year old IDxWB. She is ridden with a fairfax girth. All fine until a small sarcoid grew just on/in front of girth. Girth kept knocking this causing it to bleed so we had the sarcoid lasered off. She had 3 months off to heal and then another 2 months to make sure all OK.

She was brought back into work/fitness slowly then sent to pro to get her back jumping. All fine until size of jumps and number went up and she started showing unusual behaviour suggesting discomfort and stiffness. She was given few months off and this remained so then got vet friend to spend few hours trying to figure out the problem. We are pretty certain that the scar has a root which is leading to discomfort when she has to stretch over a jump.

She has been given couple more months off in a field with regular messages of the scar to try to help relax it. Vet says time and it might always be a bit uncomfortable.

Going to bring her back into work soon but want to give every chance that she is comfortable and so looking at girth options.

A doughnut girth might be a good option as would not put direct pressure on the scar site. Or possibly a H girth or the Freedom girth?

Any other thoughts before I buy an expensive girth that might not help?

Thanks

 

[Tiddlypom]

What other girths have you tried on her?

My mare hated the Fairfax girth, she loves a cheapy shaped wintec.

 

[Vodkagirly]

Agree with tiddlypom, I think fairfax are fairly wide so I would try some cheap options before buying. A slightly different shape or old-fashioned straight one might do the trick.

 

[MissTyc]

I swear by a good old fashioned string girth!

 

[ponynutz]

Definitely try and find a girth that works for her but some of this could be she's expecting there to be pain where there isn't anymore.

 

[abb123]

Thanks all. She needs a fairly wide but shaped girth due to her conformation. The fairfax was advised by saddle fitter and was perfect until the sarcoid grew big enough to interfere with girth. Tried a normal girth but we have same issue of pressure on the scar causing discomfort when she has to stretch.

 

[SEL]

Could you post a picture of where it was? The new WOW girth is an odd shape so might work, ditto their H girth

 

[abb123]

It is right between the legs just where a traditional girth would sit. The scar is is shaped like a Y and about 2-3 inches in diameter. It is slightly raised but not sore to touch at all and fully surface healed. You can feel a root attaching it to tissue when you rub it. I tried to take a picture but you can't see it on a picture as it is black scar tissue and she is dark bay ?

 

[Northern Hare]

Could you have a layer of high density foam with a hole cut out around the location of the scar, and sandwich that between her skin and the girth to relieve any pressure? Perhaps you've tried that already?

 

[Tiddlypom]

Have you tried a sheepskin girth sleeve? You can get them made to special order for the Fairfax by griffin nuumed.

 

[abb123]

Could you have a layer of high density foam with a hole cut out around the location of the scar, and sandwich that between her skin and the girth to relieve any pressure? Perhaps you've tried that already?

This is effectively what a doughnut girth does

 

[abb123]

Have you tried a sheepskin girth sleeve? You can get them made to special order for the Fairfax by griffin nuumed.

The fairfax is fairly well padded but I did try with some sheepskin padding (admittedly not well fitting!) but no difference