I got a stubben cord girth as my saddle shifts with any type of elastic girth. I like the way it fits, but there’s no way to secure the ends of the billet straps—are they all like this?? I have a short girth. I think it looks untidy.
Years ago I bought a mohair girth, and it came with a felt pad that went behind the buckles so they don’t go directly agains the horse’s sides; and then I could tuck the billet straps into that. Kind of like this: http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Stillwater_Mohair_Dressage_Girth_1_Buckles/descpage-SWCMDG.html although that one is neoprene. I’m not even sure what you would google to find just those buckle pads/keepers though, sorry I can’t be of more help! Maybe someone else will know…
You can buy leather keepers at many tack shops to replace those that are broken lost. Slide over the buckle and voila. Stubben’s usually have keepers on them. I’d wonder if it was a knock off.
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Thanks for the replies.
It’s this one
https://marystack.com/stubben-cord-dressage-girth/
i havent seen any leather keepers wide enough for this purpose at local tack shops. I wonder if a human hair elastic might work in the same way, though, to hold the strap down.
It doesn’t. They slip out. The white one at DressageExtensions has keepers. Hmm…
https://www.amazon.com/Nylon-Keepers-Elastic-Tactical-Loops-4/dp/B0716LZVKV Here’s several ideas
I recently bought a lovely mohair string girth for my skin sensitive mare and it has keepers and a nice padded piece under the buckles on both sides. http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Stillwater_Mohair_Contour_1_Buckle_Dressage_Girth_34/descpage-SWCMCDG.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAm7LSBRBBEiwAvL1-L-1g6DPBWve8b9WwYmD9Zjo5KX5qJugDNCDmOs45FOO4h6c3z01AXBoCDFwQAvD_BwE
Thanks! I’ll have to measure to make sure I can get the buckle through.
That is a nice one!
Aha! I found the ones I have (although this is not where I ordered them from, they came with mine.) https://runningbear.us/product/girth-guards/. These are wool felt, mine have held up great. You may be able to find leather or neoprene ones, not sure…
I didn’t know such a thing existed! Thanks. The other problem is a need a 20" or 22" so I’m pretty limited. The DE trevia girth is too long.
It is like Stubben took a regular girth for a dual flap saddle, shortened it and called it a dressage girth. How weird.
If you want to buy a new girth dig around for suggestions on some of the endurance forums. Many endurance folks seem to use the mohair girths and I have seen a number of recommendations for fully custom ones. They will make different colors, lengths, widths, billet loops, buckle guards etc…
They have had short versions of the cord girth for 30 years. Depending on where you order from, they come down to a 20 and often with the keepers on the short ones. Again… you find better selection from EU than the US. The Trevira girths are pretty indestructible. I have an older one… its got to be 30 years old. Still looks new when washed.
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OP, the short version of Stubben girths do come with nylon keepers sewn on. Of course, Stubben makes a long version, too (40" or so and up). Anyone who sold you a 20" or 22" should have sold you one with keepers.
I have taken heavy cord, and chain braided keepers for mohair girths. That’s where you make a loop, pull a new loop through the previous loop, and repeat until the appropriate length is reached. Acting as a keeper doesn’t need a lot of strength, just tidiness.
They call it a monkey braid. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1CNRzZ4aI0
I am planning to custom order a mohair dressage girth from a local handicrafter. I will keep the keeper problem in mind as we design it!
Well, when you get your girth done, Scribbler, post a photo and if you like it, perhaps I will order one!
The Stillwater one from Riding Warehouse has keepers if you are looking for a mohair girth to make your instructor happy. 
http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Stillwater_Mohair_Contour_Dressage_Girth_1_Buckles/descpage-SWCMCDG.html
I’ve always used a sheep fleece lined girth with my dressage saddle. When I bought my western trail saddle I bought a mohair string girth. It was recommended over the synthetic version as providing better protection for the horse’s skin.
I find it curious that anyone sells short cord girths at all. My understanding is that cord girths should only be used with short billets because the hardware (meaning the buckles) should never be directly against the horse’s side. There should always be some sort of backing against the horse’s side like we see on fleece and leather girths.
Did you see the picture of the Stillwater? It has backing to protect the buckles. http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Stillwater_Mohair_Contour_Dressage_Girth_1_Buckles/descpage-SWCMCDG.html
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