Two saddle/girth questions....

[SpottedCat]

Firstly, has anyone ever had longer girth straps added to an Albion K2 Jump saddle so you can use a short girth with it? I find that my legs are so short, it feels very bulky with a normal girth.

Secondly, I never thought I'd need to ask this, but what stud guards do you all recommend? It would appear horsey has learnt to fold his front feet and I may need one before long. please bear in mind I have just had to fork out over a hundred quid for a new hat, so nothing by devocoux please!!

 

[KatB]

Comfort Zone stud guards are fab.... Sure it would be possible to put long straps on, a good saddler should be able to do it for you without too many probs....

I know my Bates has a loop on system so you can change them easily, but the Albions are stitched on....but shouldnt be a prob for a good saddler!

 

[dianchi]

Depends if your going to go for longer straps or not?
I got a Gallop one for my girl as we dont do much jumping anymore it was only £30 from ebay- brand new tho and elasticated both ends.
Never had longer straps on jumping saddles so can say on that one!

 

[SpottedCat]

I know a saddler who can do it - they put new straps on my kieffer dressage saddle and did a great job - it's just is there any reason not to? I can go and ask them, but TBH they are a pain to get to so if there is a reason not to do it, I won't bother even trying to get there!

 

[kerilli]

as long as the buckles on a short girth aren't of the length to knock his elbows, there's no reason why not.
since i realised this, i changed all my straps to short, even on my dressage saddle. i don't like having to lean right over to try to alter the girth and tuck the straps in, but that's just me i guess.

 

[flyingfeet]

Yes - friend of mine had her Albion altered by a saddler and had two long straps fitted. She hated the bulk under the girth.... however because she wanted it done yeasterday she has now got brown buffalo hide straps on a black saddle..... I suggest warning your saddler first

Stud girth wise - depends largely what you can get your mits on - have an Albion short stud girth, as it was relatively cheap on eBay and I needed a 28".

I aslo have the prototype I got dad to make me in 26"... however still waiting for the neddies to slim into it.

I also have a comfort zone, which I need to put on eBay tomorrow as its 22" and never ever going to fit!!

I also have a hexa stud guard, which I use on a pro choice girth.

Then I have another prototype in 50" that I've never used as swapped to wows....

So again with whatever you can get your mitts on!!!

 

[SpottedCat]

Brill, thanks CSJ! I won't be doing it till he has his winter break at the end of the season, so I will nto be ending up with brown straps on my nice black saddle!!!

 

[dieseldog]

I've got a Whitaker one - and I went for it as the bit that the martingale attaches to is a buckle rather than a Billet. I just feel that the billets could come undone, especially with more use as the hole gets bigger.

OK, another stud girth question, mine is a 52" which is the biggest size I could get, why don't them make them any bigger? I could just about do it up on Olympic but it is miles of ever fitting Dolly.

 

[flyingfeet]

'cos fat horses don't jump????

Seriously though - Shires do them up to 56"

 

[Dovorian]

I also think that long straps can increase the potential for the horse to be pinched, especially when jumping. Just like K, I struggle to alter long straps and tuck them away!

 

[cheeky girl]

oh dear my pony must be fat as we're in a 54 girth