Girth for horse that hates rib pressure

[CHT]

QH gelding that is very picky about his tack. he is not girthy/fine to be tacked up, but he will NOT trot if the girth is, in his opinion, too far back.

Saddle fitter was out a few weeks ago to re-flock his saddle and told horse owner that she was putting his saddle too far forward, but when the saddle is where she says it should be, he is miserable. Moving the saddle/girth forward resolves the issue.

She uses just a typically straight, fairly narrow hunter girth that is slightly short for him, so she is considering getting a new one. Trying one of my shaped girths, but I think it is too wide for him.

Aside from getting a new saddle with a more forward billet system, is there a girth option that may help?

[LilRanger]

Maybe a mohair girth?

[Demerara_Stables]

I went through a girth debacle with my appendix mare. She had the same saddle that was regularly adjusted by the saddle fitter for 7 years and then randomly got girthy when that saddle had to have the tree replaced and she went in something else for a while. Even getting the original saddle back with the new tree she was still girthy. I tried five or six different girths and this is the only one that she liked. I do have long billets on mine so I had the short version of this girth. I never thought she would have liked it, especially because it looks like there is so much bare strap on her side, but she is 6 months in and still loving it 🤷

https://www.oldmillsaddlery.com/Mobile/en/us/Stubben-Equi-Soft-Long-Girth-Without-Cover/m-m-71110.aspx

[Willesdon]

Is the saddle the issue or the horse being uncomfortable?

[NancyM]

Is the horse eating alfalfa? If so, try switching to grass hay. If the horse has gut “issues” with alfalfa, it can show with a reaction with the girth. Mine did, anyway. If so, it’s an easy fix. Also check for high protein levels in grain being fed.

[CHT]

The saddle may be an issue - he really changed shape since she bought it, but re-flocking has helped IF the saddle is more forward than the fitter wants it to be. When the tree is set as far back as advised, he is clearly miserable. I don’t know how to test both the saddle back and the girth forward, but I am guessing that would be the ideal.

He was happy enough in a western saddle (done as a test…HO does not like riding in the western saddle though). Interestingly that was a mohair girth @LilRanger

The horse just does not like pressure on his ribs.

[CHT]

he doesn’t get much for grain. Just some oats and complete feed on the days his owner rides. He WAS getting some alfalfa but isn’t now, so will see if that helps. I used to work with a horse that would tie up on alfalfa…maybe it’s something similar?

[GraceLikeRain]

How much and how often? A random quart of oats and high NSC food a few times a week could definitely make a horse gassy and ouchy.

[CHT]

I have no idea what a quart is, but think handful of oats and handful of a ration balancer/complete feed. Like a Starbucks Grande total quantity. This has been their routine for over two years.

He is not gassy. She did mention today he isn’t showing interest in the grass on the way from his pen to the barn though. I found that odd, but we have had some heavy frost, so the grass would have changed.

[jherold]

I would put the saddle where the horse says it feels the most comfortable. Sometimes horses refuse to read the book on how the saddle is supposed to fit.

[endlessclimb]

Agree. I had a horse like this - a “correctly fitted” saddle would send her through the roof. She wanted it a size wider than what she measured at and then she was fine.

Let the horse have a say. Problem solved!

[Pico_Banana]

If the issue is pressure on the ribs, I’d definitely try the Equi Soft girth identified above. I have it in the short version for a dressage saddle and the way it’s designed, it focuses the girth pressure on the sternum. When tightened appropriately (i.e., not too tight), you can fit a handswidth or more between the straps on the girth and the horse’s side. Some people will look at that and tell you to tighten the girth, but it’s just a different design. Slip your hand between the fleecy part and the horse and you’ll see that it’s tight enough even adjusted like I described.

[Jumper112]

Have you heard of Scharf girths?

http://www.scharffreedom.com/

I’m not sure if something like this would be of interest but I thought I’d add to the discussion!

I believe they sell these girths at farm vet as well.

[CHT]

Have you used one of these (or seen in use)? That is an interesting concept!

[Jumper112]

I haven’t personally used one. It is definitely on my “to buy” list though.

I saw a young horse compete at thunderbird in one and I spoke to the rider and she had only amazing things to say about it.

The rider said something along the lines of she felt like her horse was given more freedom to move in the Scharf girth vs what she was in before.

[CHT]

The concept is indeed interesting, but the price tag is pretty steep. I wonder if the girth has much benefit for a low performance horse.

[RedFox5]

I would look at the saddle in this instance. You mention the saddle was reflocked. Was it examined while the horse was in motion? Something a lot of people don’t realize is while a saddle might fit statically (just standing) in motion, lifting their back, engaging their hind end and shoulders changes how things fit and it might be a back soreness. Do you happen to have pictures or videos of the saddle in both spots?

[CHT]

no pictures. Yes, this saddle fitter is quite good. Watches the horse in hand and under saddle. Reflocks, then watches it ridden again, and repeats as needed. She thinks the saddle may be too wide for the horse now, but we aren’t quite ready to decide on a new saddle yet.

[RedFox5]

I’m guessing the horse is boarded or you have friends of the same discipline? What we’ve been doing at my barn if we have a horse with either similar build or pickiness and a saddle that might work is let the owner try it just to see how the horse feels. That way buying a new saddle is far less scary and can help make that decision of whether it’s worth buying. Too wide of a saddle can cause a lot of issues just like too narrow. I personally would ask to try other saddles if the fitter has suggestions and then look at used stores. I got mine off The saddle bank (living in America) and it was a great experience getting it to me quickly and easily.

[Joyrider]

Interesting girth! The description does say it may not be suitable for jumping though