Best hunter girth?

What’s the best hunter girth for a horse whose sensitive and can swelling under them and has lost hair. Currently in total saddle fit girth and it’s causing problems.

Cheap - I’ve been through something similar but I was using a Professionals Choice Neoprene girth. I ended up going to SmartPak and buying their fleece girth and I have never had any issues going forward. My neoprene girth was helping not causing my saddle to slip but irritating his skin as it made him sweat and pull his skin.

Expensive - EquiFit’s hunter girth with sheepskin. This is on my “future, if I ever get money list” which will most likely never happen because, well, horses. But I’ve heard great things about this girth and I’ve been thinking it would be a wonderful show girth.

I have two that I like - SmartPak’s Hunter Girth, and Bobby’s Tack Hunter Girth, for my sensitive TB. No rubbing/hair loss/sores or anything like that from either girth. The Bobby’s Tack one is awesome - very soft and flexible, with dark elastic.

The most popular girths at my barn seem to be either Professional’s Choice, or the fake fleecy ones, like Lettia - I didn’t choose this because I’m particular about clean tack, and I would rather wipe down a leather girth than wash a fabric one.

A Butet girth is on my wishlist, looks lovely and soft!

I should mention as well I’m in Canada. I know smart pak doesn’t ship here so thought I’d mention where I’m located. Thanks guys keep the suggestions coming!

The Pro Choice ones didn’t work for either of my geldings, but both really like the equifit girth I got. It’s available at Greenhawk (maybe special order??), Running Fox and Blueberry Hill. Probably other places, but those are the 3 I can think of that carry them.

Smartpak’s girth is essentially a fleece lined girth with elastic and roller buckles on both ends. Something like this: https://greenhawk.com/wdItemDesc.asp?strilhID=Web&strmdNumber=RIE3615&stricSKU=RIE3615. Many online tack stores have their own generic version of this girth. (This type is what my mare prefers as well.) FWIW, they’re also usually easy to find on ebay.

Greenhawk might have their version of a leather hunter girth that you could check out in person. When I’m looking at girths, I like them to be nice and flexible, with squishy to medium padding, no stiff edges,
and rounded corners. Do you know what isn’t working about your current girth? Usually I would think distributing pressure over a wider area is better than over a skinny area, but I haven’t looked at the TSF one in person - maybe the TSF one is too wide for your horse?

Also, check eBay - I got my SmartPak hunter girth there ($100 girth) for $50, new with tags!

TSF and other anatomical girths can cause pressure points on certain horses depending on their barrel shape. My boy got super girth-y with the ADT anatomical girth (http://www.adttack.com/products/accessories/girths/anatomic-girth/) so I switched to a Dover girth (https://www.doversaddlery.com/crown-fancy-stitch-ovrlay-grth/p/X1-02080/) and it is so soft for such a better price. Only thing is the dye bled onto my grey :frowning: just got the prof choice (https://www.doversaddlery.com/profchoice-ventech-girth/p/X1-02087/) to replace it and I really like it so far.

I know you said you live in Canada, but for schooling, I use SmartPak’s Air + girth. My sensitive guy really likes it as it evenly distributes pressure and does not slip against the skin. Girths that slip irritate his skin and just drive him nuts. He is also picky when it comes to material, but he has had no complaints with this one. It is also a plus that this one is super easy to keep clean with the removable liner. Maybe you could try a Professional’s Choice girth or get someone to send a SmartPak one to you? If you were interested in trying the SmartPak girth, I can help you get your hands on it as I live here in the States. :slight_smile: I definitely wouldn’t mind ordering it and shipping it to you. Just DM me!

For showing, I absolutely adore my Equifit Anatomical Hunter Girth. The regular lining is super soft and squishy and molds perfectly to my horse, which makes him really comfortable. It is also easy to clean with the removable liner. It also has an optional sheepskin liner you can purchase separately if you choose, which is pretty handy. However, my sensitive guy loves the regular liner and is always happy when I put it on! The only con is that I definitely wouldn’t suggest it for everyday use as the leather on the outside tends to get rubs easily and lighten if under heavy use. I reserve mine for shows only! However, you could always purchase two! :wink: