I’ve seen a lot of people using girth covers/socks in the show ring. I personally don’t mind the way they look. Just a question - what brands are people using? I have seen a couple fleece ones that are extremely thick and I feel like they would get in the way of my leg against my horse’s side. I know Dover carries one that is thinner and is more of a sock type of material.
I am looking into purchasing one. Does anyone have any ideas/or have a favorite brand?
Thank you!
I always used a girth sock to help keep my leather girths clean, they come in various shades of brown so they matched the girth and horse. I bought them both from Dover and my local tack shop, can’t remember what brand they were though. They are so easy to wash too, just throw them in the machine.
Do you show with them or do you just use them to school? I have seen many pros and now juniors/ammies using them in white to show in. I like the look and like the fact that I could use my neoprene girth to show in if its white.
I see many, many people showing these days with the fuzzy girths, more often than the girth covers. Either one is perfectly acceptable in the show ring. The fuzzy girths have been around for more than thirty years. You can also find them in brown if you prefer. I always use them since I think they are more comfortable for the horse.
I haven’t shown in ages, I school in the girth socks but I wouldn’t hesitate to show in one if I had a horse who was very sensitive. And Scott Stewart shows in those fuzzy girths, the judges don’t seem to mind.
I would suggest just buying a girth with fleece on one side. It looks more classic and does the same function.
When I was a kid, everyone had girth covers b/c they didnt make fleece girths. I am a personal fan of showing in a leather girth, with no fuzz, but it’s all personal preference now. I noticed them last yr and since have been making a huge comeback.
Have not looked at who is selling them right now, so cant help with that, but I do think it comes down to personal preference.
Thank you everyone! Yes I have a fuzzy girth and like the look of them too and see many of them around.
I am asking this because I too,I have noticed a come back with the girth coovers and I think Scott Steward and some others have made a trend to slowly start - many will not pick it up but this year I have seen many more than last!
I am simply interested in seeing what brand people are buying because I have noticed some that are super bulky and think and would cause my saddle to slide. I am interesting in finding the same look without the bulk and seeing as some of these people having been showing in a girth cover for years, I wonder if there was a brand that they loved.
So this is how show trends start. 
Does your horse NEED one, or do you just want one because others are riding in them (for a valid, perhaps, reason) and you want to emulate them? Not to be harsh, but if you don’t need one, why bother? I would be happy my horse didn’t need one. Just my opinion.
I have a fairly bulky one left over from the 90s. When I first got my current horse I used it on him because he is a thin skinned TB and I didn’t want to risk rubbing him, but I’ve since determined he is fine without it and don’t use it.
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Both! II do like the way it looks - either a fuzzy girth or a girth sock. In my opinion it looks like the saddle pad is continuing around and down. JMHO.
I also have a professional choice neoprene girth. My horse’s skin is sensitive in general and use it because my old saddle use to slide. I have been noticing that he has been getting more sensitive and has been starting to get some skin irritations.
I think this makes sense for MOST fads, but a girth cover? I mean, really what harm would come of using one even if you “don’t need it” except spending a little extra $$. I guess my horse technically doesn’t NEED one, but I use one because it looks comfier and I like to think I’m making him comfortable.
I found this one to be on the thinner side: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/lettia-coolmax-fleece-girth-4968 . It fluffed up/pilled more with washing, so if you want it to stay thin for showing, keep it just for showing. The regular SmartPak ones aren’t too thick but I prefer this one for everyday use because it also didn’t rub my thin-skinned beast AND it doesn’t slip: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/smartpak-breathable-girth-6115
I agree with @drafting_dots even if he doesn’t “need one” for the purpose of rubs or whatever, it still has to be more comfortable for the horse either way without straight leather or sticky neoprene pulling their skin. I still need the girth to be able to get tight and not slip so I don’t want anything super bulky. I would like to think I am making him comfortable too!
It’s not a problem. 
But just reminds me of standing martingales, etc. Not all horses need one, yet now they all wear one. Nope, doesn’t hurt them at all. Just a comment on trends. No harm meant.
I have a few sensitive skinned horses so I use the sheepskin leather girths; but years ago I used the girth covers because as another posters said in those days they didn’t offer leather girths with sheepskin.
Saying that; I never liked those sock cover things… they would always slide off as I was trying to saddle my horses.
I also didn’t like how they felt under my legs… I don’t really like the sheepskin feel either… but you know; horses come first 
I don’t believe you will be penalized for a girth cover - if your horse needs one it’s fine.
I just think it’s funny to look back on how much I haaaaaated girth covers and was stoked when fluffy girths became a thing. You couldn’t pay me to go back to them. I’ve got a memory foam one now and it’s really the best of both worlds.
I personally am not looking for something huge and fluffy that will slide around my girth - hello frustration! I think what I am looking for is more like this: http://www.doversaddlery.com/equistretch-girth-sock/p/w1-c01614a/?eid=X18A00U1000&utm_source=google&utm_medium=PLA&utm_campaign=NB_PLA_Retail_New+England_GOOG&adpos=1o2&creative=182746402219&device=c&matchtype=&network=g
Does anyone have one of these? It looks like these will stay in place!
Love the Smartpak breathable girths! Easy to clean and don’t have to worry about all the hair that gets in the sheepskin girths. I ride everyone with one now.
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