What size dressage girth?

[sidesaddlegirl]

What size short dressage girth do I need for a 16hh TB mare who usually takes a 50"- 52" in normal long girths?

I've only ever had saddles which needed long girths so not sure what size to get with the short ones.

 

[CastleMouse]

You usually halve your horse's regular girth size and add on 2" - So you should buy a 28" girth for your mare.

 

[merlinsquest]

Oooooh I never knew that!!!

I am impressed CM...... easy to do I know, but i am still impressed.

Shame merlin doesnt need one

so its another useless fact to store in my brain!!!!

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

Ooo, thank you!

LOL, my saddle came with a 20" girth (bought it used from Ebay) and I thought it looked rather small for a 16 hander so just wanted to check before I used it!

Looks like a 28" girth is something else I have to add to my growing list of stuff I need..

 

[kickandshout]

oooh you clever person !!

I didn't know that it, pity it would've saved me the bother of trying several sizes before finding the right one and yes the size i needed fits your theory

 

[Hollycat]

I would try the 20" girth first before you buy one! I have a 26" and its big - fits a 17.1 chunky warmblood and it is really too big for my 16.3 warmblood (who is very refined with long legs so not deep in the girth). I am using a 20" on her which is a little small but not much. It depends on your dressage saddle too - I have one which has long flaps (as I have long legs) and the 26" is too long - almost comes up to the flaps! The shorter flaped one the 26" fits a bit better but still a bit big. Hope that helps!

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

I tried the 20" on her yesterday but I couldn't even get it anywhere near my billet straps and I had it buckled on the last hole too! I have a Wintec 500 Dressage so maybe they don't have as long straps as other dressage saddles do.
I bought a nice Jeffries one this afternoon and am going to try it tomorrow before my lesson! LOL, if not, my tack shop will take it back and exchange it for a 26" one.

 

[zoon]

stick the saddle on her back and get a tape measure if really unsure

 

[Hollycat]

[ QUOTE ]
I tried the 20" on her yesterday but I couldn't even get it anywhere near my billet straps and I had it buckled on the last hole too! I have a Wintec 500 Dressage so maybe they don't have as long straps as other dressage saddles do.
I bought a nice Jeffries one this afternoon and am going to try it tomorrow before my lesson! LOL, if not, my tack shop will take it back and exchange it for a 26" one.

[/ QUOTE ]

If its a wintec then yes, they are a bit shorter. I had to use a 28" for the 17.1 warmblood when he had a wintec but went down to 26" when he had a WOW - which had longer flaps for my legs too. Good luck and have a fab lesson with your new saddle