Are You Using The Correct Type of Girth?
First, it’s important to realize the wrong girth can seriously effect not only saddle fit, but horse comfort.
Let’s deal with saddle fit first.
When a saddle is fitted correctly, the billets will hang down parallel and in line with the front legs.
When the girth is applied and the girth sits in the girth groove just behind the elbow, the billets should line up with the buckles. Is it important to note when the saddle is girthed that the billets should remain perpendicular to the ground. If when girthed, the front billet is pulled at an angle forward, this may result in the saddle being pulled forward and into the horse’s shoulder. This indicates the horse has a forward girth line and dictates the need for an ergonomic girth that is contoured forward under the sternum.
These girths are designed to fit forward into the sternum and come back around the elbow and help to keep the front billet straight and perpendicular stopping the saddle from being pulled forward and pinching the horse in the shoulder .
(Try our Edix 3 part and Natural Equine Crescent shaped Girths)
Girths should always have either elastic at BOTH ends or a center elastic. Remember, we are asking the horse to move through the ribcage and if the elastic is only on one side when the rib cage moves, the rib cage can only expand in the direction of the elastic in the girth. When the ribcage moves or tries to move on the side where there is no elastic, it can only do so by pulling the saddle to one side.
When no elastic is used, it is virtually impossible for the ribcage to move without pulling the saddle. Using an elasticated girth also allows the ribs to expand and move the ribcage when he breathes without affecting the saddle. It improves the comfort of the horse and rider.
Can you have too much stretch in the elastic? Is there too much of a good thing? Most definitely…Having a girth with too much elastic can be as detrimental as a girth with no elastic. If it has too much give, it will allow the saddle to move too much as if your girth was too loose. So the elastic must be very sturdy without too much give.
Condition of the girth is also important. They should be cleaned and conditioned regularly to prevent from cracking or becoming extremely hard. The elastic should also be checked regularly to insure the serviceability of the elastic, but also that it hasn’t become over stretched. As elastic ages, the elastic stretches and will or can bring the buckles over the edge or top of the girth as you tighten creating pinching of the horses skin.
One should always tighten a girth in sequence moving form the rear billet first to the front billet and left to right.
It’s important to tighten the first by billet tentsion and not hole numbers so that the saddle is tightened evenly into the horses back. Remember the billets run at angles through the saddle and the horses barrel is not symmetrical thus, when tightened one should not expect the holes numbers to be even.
The reason for tightening the rear billet first is the rear billet will pull the saddle from the rear into the horses back freeing up the shoulder. If you tighten the front billet first rather than the rear, the front billet pulls the saddle downwards unbalancing the saddle into the trapezius. Thus you already not only are unbalancing your saddle, you are restricting the movement of the trapezius and it’s ability to pull through the longisimus.
English girths and western cinches share the same basic and vital function – to keep the saddle securely on the horse. But they can also affect the horse’s comfort and gait. Improved research, technology and understanding of equine behavior's indicates the right girths and cinches can have a distinct bearing on comfort and performance.
All Girths stocked by Natural Equine have elastic on both ends and we believe are of excellent quality with innovative designs, we believe this is a key element to saddle fit and horse comfort. Please get in contact if you would like to discuss what options are best for your horse shape and saddle style.