Anatomical girths - how to choose?

[Fox_Wood_Farm]

Didn’t want to include this with the saddle pad thread. But same horse, girthy, some reactions that feel like a nerve sort of issue at the base of the sternum. Looking at him, and where my saddle and girth are before and after a ride, I would like to try an anatomical girth. Have no clue how to choose. Talk about sticker shock!!

I’m currently using a Lettia synthetic “click-girth” or the Lettia cool max. Both 52" and that just gets the 2nd hole from the bottom on the billets on both sides. I probably need a 54", and could possibly use a 56", depending on how stiff the elastic is. He shows no difference in girthy behavior between those 2 girths. Doesn’t like either.

I think the anatomical shape is more likely to be beneficial than soft fuzzy fleece, although he might prefer both!

I’ve looked online at County Logic, Pessoa, KL, Aramas, Toulouse, yada, yada… There are 2 CWD 56" on eBay, but not sure I want to buy a used non returnable girth there.

I know every horse-saddle-girth is different. I’m looking for guidance on picking the one least likely to cause a problem. Thanks!

[McVillesMom]

I love my Total Saddle Fit anatomical girth…and they will refund you 110% if you are not happy with it! I bought it for my young horse who has a very long laid-back scapula (and a short back, which means there is only ONE spot for a saddle to sit). It’s really nice leather and is the most flexible girth I have ever owned. I like it much better than my County Logic and plan to get a dressage version at some point in the future. One caution - they are very wide, which I think distributes the pressure better, but I was a little surprised when I got it just how wide it was.

[EventerAJ]

I love my Total Saddle Fit girths. The leather is super soft and high quality, the elastic is thick and strong, all the details you expect. The contour allows you to position your saddle farther back, so the tree points don’t dig into the shoulders. I use the short girth everyday on 2-4 horses of varying sizes/shapes and it has held up very well. I use the long girth less frequently (different saddle, one horse) but it is also very nice. The company’s customer service is excellent, I highly recommend them.

I used to be a synthetic girth user, I liked the convenience and price. So spending $125 or $150 on a girth seemed steep to me at first, but these girths really are worth it and they’ll last much longer.

[soloudinhere]

I also like my total saddle fit girths. My horse seems to really appreciate how truly squishy they are, they’re very flexible. I had an ADT one before this and these are nicer.

[Carried_Away]

Thanks for the replies, I am also having issues with saddle/girth fit as my horse’s back is very short but shoulder is long. He had knots on both scapulas the last time he was massaged so I’m having my saddles checked this week. The total saddle fit girth seems like it will help, can’t wait to try it!

[Hilary]

My very sensitive one has a (very expensive) sheepskin shaped girth from Mattes. It’s not anatomic but has a very wide plate at the center for pressure distribution. She also uses an anatomic girth for her dressage saddle but it took a few years for her to be OK with something other than the superfleece.

The other thing for her is when you draw up the girth, reach under the horse, pull it directly down on the off side, then pull across, then pull up. If I just pull up the girth around her? Not happy!

[Fox_Wood_Farm]

Quoting Hilary

My very sensitive one has a (very expensive) sheepskin shaped girth from Mattes. It’s not anatomic but has a very wide plate at the center for pressure distribution. She also uses an anatomic girth for her dressage saddle but it took a few years for her to be OK with something other than the superfleece.

I’ve seen that Mattes one on line. Does the fleece come off for washing? If so, is it easy to remove and reattach?

The other thing for her is when you draw up the girth, reach under the horse, pull it directly down on the off side, then pull across, then pull up. If I just pull up the girth around her? Not happy!

Well there’s a quirk I haven’t heard before. You must be a VERY observant person to have figured that one out!

[Hilary]

Ha ha - when you have a chestnut mare you don’t need to be observant! She points things out. But she is very sensitive in that nervy area just behind/above her elbow. There is a massage point in the chest that relieves it, and also just a bit of massage on her side during the tacking up to remind her that ‘yes, you will feel pressure here and you will live’.

As for the girth, there is a stiff plastic oval that you can take out - but I don’t know why you would for washing. Unless you were using hot water??

I brush the girth daily with a stiff brush to refluff, and when it’s truly gross, it goes in the washer with Melp or Pepede. It’s a beautiful girth. Very well made. And CUSHY. The fleece doesn’t come off. You don’t need to wash good sheepskin very often. A ‘slicker’ dog grooming brush will also put it to nearly new condition as well after a regular brushing. Just stand downwind.

[Hilary]

This is the girth: there are no leather parts other than the sheep so it just goes in the washer, air dry.

http://www.bitofbritain.com/Mattes_Shaped_Sheepskin_Girth_p/853074.htm

I found it for less $$ but it was still pricy.

[Diamontaire]

I have an Arab with a fairly high wither and short back- would it work for his confo or put it too far back?

[Fox_Wood_Farm]

@Hilary;7657761

This is the girth: there are no leather parts other than the sheep so it just goes in the washer, air dry.

Ok - I missed the fact that the rest of the girth structure wasn’t leather. I have too much experience trying to keep sheepskin clean… I live in the land of red clay and spent much of the last decade foxhunting. Have two Fleeceworks pads that now have rust colored edges! Not hunting any more but I still approach tack (and horses!) with that mentality!

Thanks for the link too.

[Stacie]

I use a prestige. $$ but wonderful quality. Definitely fixed the problem of the saddle moving forward.

[Carried_Away]

I just received my TSF girth (5 days after ordering) and it is gorgeous! Truly high quality and so soft. It has metal loops on each side below the elastic that I may try to attach my breastplate to instead of running it around the actual girth - I imagine you could use them with sidereins too.

They also sent me a cool dark grey hat with pink logo! So far I am very satisfied, will see how the girth does when I ride today.

[scubed]

The Frank Baines are anatomical with fleece lining and I have heard very good things http://www.frankbaines.com/page.asp?id=25&rangeid=2&rangecid=9

And I have heard some horses like the thinline https://www.smartpakequine.com/thinline-anatomic-hunterjumper-girth-9894p (SmartPak will take returns)

And while expensive, County is tried and true http://www.countysaddlery.com/products/accessories/logic.html

[soloudinhere]

[QUOTE=Carried Away;7665386]
I just received my TSF girth (5 days after ordering) and it is gorgeous! Truly high quality and so soft. It has metal loops on each side below the elastic that I may try to attach my breastplate to instead of running it around the actual girth - I imagine you could use them with sidereins too.

They also sent me a cool dark grey hat with pink logo! So far I am very satisfied, will see how the girth does when I ride today.[/QUOTE]

I am also stoked about my free hat that came with my girth and stirrup leathers

PS anyone ordering a girth-- their leathers are seriously nice for the $50 discount price.

[lstevenson]

The Total Saddle Fit Shoulder Relief girths are awesome! I used to use a Prestige, which is also very nice. But the TSF girths are half the price, and have even more contour. I love their design.

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[RedHorses]

[QUOTE=Diamontaire;7657870]
I have an Arab with a fairly high wither and short back- would it work for his confo or put it too far back?[/QUOTE]

My younger horse is part arab and has the well sprung ribs and forward girth groove typical of arabs. He is also a Drama King about his saddle placement. The Total Saddle Fit girth keeps the saddle in the proper position behind and clear of his shoulder. Now that we have a TSF girth I have just about stopped anticipating his former “OMG! I can’t handle this saddle! It’s not right!” hysterics when we move off from the mounting block.

[Diamontaire]

RedHorses, thank you for the input! My guy isn’t a Drama King, but I’m anal about whatever I can get right to be RIGHT, since I want to ride this horse for the rest of his life!