Favorite Girth

[Ponycatraz]

I’ve been reading through old forum posts but didn’t see anything that really fit what I’m looking for. I currently am riding my RMH in a dressage saddle. Fit is great, but it is time for a new girth. I’m using a Le Tixerant that was working well the first couple years, but now that it has some age on it we are starting to rub hair in my guys armpits. He is one of those horses with lots of wrinkles.

I stretch his legs pre-ride, but we are still starting to scuff. The Le Tix isn’t really holding up well to our rough trails and we’ve got a few “runs” starting in the elastic fabric where it has been snagged.

Girth groove is pretty normal, and not forward. Horse is a propane tank with no withers. Saddle is a long billet dressage in chocolate and mahogany leather. Brown isn’t a must.

Our riding is generally 1-4 hours. Rarely longer. Sometimes we are on Rough trails and hills with some banks and ditches, but probably 60% of our riding is on groomed trails.

Let me know now if you need other details or pics.

[irish_horse]

My favorite is a toklat woolback, indestructible, easy to clean. But on a round horse you might get slippage (do you use a breast collar?). I might try a mohair, they’re tough, breathable and don’t tend to rub. Good luck!

[Ponycatraz]

@irish_horse

My favorite is a toklat woolback, indestructible, easy to clean. But on a round horse you might get slippage (do you use a breast collar?). I might try a mohair, they’re tough, breathable and don’t tend to rub. Good luck!

Thank you!

I do use a breast collar since we have a lot of hills. I’ve heard good things about tolkat pads but I don’t think I’ve even looked at the girth’s! I’ve thought about mohair as well, but I’ve heard they can pinch.

I really appreciate the feedback!

[cutter99]

Have you tried Body Glide in the armpits? It is a human product for runners, used to avoid chafing, and I have had success using it. You can get it at sporting goods stores or from Amazon. I also found my horses do better without the breast collar, even though it defies logic.

https://www.bodyglide.com/

I use a Weaver’s AirFlex girth because I can wash it easily after every use and it dries quickly before the next day’s ride. I was using some pretty expensive mohair girth’s, but because of my location in the South and the humidity, they were never fully drying out. They do make them in an English version as well.

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Weaver_AirFlex_Straight_Western_Cinch/descpage-WAFC.html

[Ponycatraz]

@cutter99

Have you tried Body Glide in the armpits? It is a human product for runners, used to avoid chafing, and I have had success using it. You can get it at sporting goods stores or from Amazon. I also found my horses do better without the breast collar, even though it defies logic.

https://www.bodyglide.com/

I use a Weaver’s AirFlex girth because I can wash it easily after every use and it dries quickly before the next day’s ride. I was using some pretty expensive mohair girth’s, but because of my location in the South and the humidity, they were never fully drying out. They do make them in an English version as well.

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Weaver_AirFlex_Straight_Western_Cinch/descpage-WAFC.html

So… do you get the body glide for her or him :D?
That seems a fantastic idea!

I also like a girth I can keep clean and get the hair off. The Le Tix doesn’t hold hair but I’d does absorb sweat so I do have to rinse it after every ride.

Thanks!

[AppaloosaDressage]

I like the Lettia Memory Foam Girth. My guy is super prone to girth sores and it works great for him. If I’m anticipating a long/sweaty ride I’ll dab some desitin in his “arm pits” and no girth sores! Really happy with it.

[Ponycatraz]

@AppaloosaDressage

I like the Lettia Memory Foam Girth. My guy is super prone to girth sores and it works great for him. If I’m anticipating a long/sweaty ride I’ll dab some desitin in his “arm pits” and no girth sores! Really happy with it.

Thank you! I really like the idea of putting something in his elbow area pre-ride. I never thought about it being chafing from his own skin and not the girth, but with the rub locations that makes a lot of sense. I have desitin in my medical kit so I’ll try it today. I like the idea of the body glide so I’ve got it in my amazon cart for when we get home from our week long riding excursion.

[Garythesquirrel]

I love mohair string dressage girths and haven’t used anything else in years.

[Leather]

Ditto the mohair girth. I used this on my super sensitive Paso and it worked well. I like this one because of the wide center: https://www.thedistancedepot.com/Montana_Cincha_Endurance_Mohair_Girth_p/mcendur.htm

My barrel of a QH has a forward girth groove so I use a Shoulder Relief. I know you said his groove isn’t forward, but should help with the rubs: https://totalsaddlefit.com/shoulderreliefgirth/

[Ponycatraz]

You guys are brilliant! Checked today before and after the ride and the girth is not rubbing he is chafing himself. Put desitin on today and finished the ride in good shape!

Still need to replace my girth at some point as we got a pretty good snag today. My old girth had Velcro so I could attach a wool pad or leather depending on the terrain. Unfortunately it is way too large after getting my pony fitted up, and it doesn’t seem to be sold any longer.

Might be a good time to get a mohair and a smooth non-snag girth.

[Ponycatraz]

Figured I’d post an update! The desitin has really made a difference. Pon has been gaiting like a dream and our last vacation ride was a few hours with no issues! I got some body glide as well to see how well it works.

I’m going to grab the mohair girth that several people recommended for groomed/non-bur rides. Then probably one of the smooth girths for rough rides. I need to get measurements as I remember sizing was difficult with the last two.

Thanks!!!