Girth is galling - ideas needed

[endlessclimb]

No matter what I’ve tried, girths gall my pony Grundy. By gall I mean bald spots - I catch them fast enough they don’t progress to real galls, but I’m at my wits end.

My girths are always clean, centered, and not overtightened. The horse is clean and brushed. The galls happen in the same spot on both sides. We aren’t getting super sweaty under there - rides are short and basic.

I have tried: Neoprene in standard width, neoprene in wide width, and the latest gall came from a fleece lined Total Saddle Fit cut girth that I had high hopes for.

I have on order: a felt liner for the Total Saddle Fit girth, a mohair girth, and one of those Air Flex girths.

If none of those work, I know a lot of english riders have luck with leather-lined stuff for the sensitive horses. Do they make that in a western cinch? I don’t know I’ve ever seen one.

Any thoughts or ideas are greatly appreciated.

[Simkie]

You don’t mention it, but are you pulling the front legs forward after you snug up the cinch?

A string cinch would be high on my list to try next.

Here’s a leather option if you want to give that a shot

https://www.barefootsaddlesusa.com/Barefoot_Leather_Anatomical_Western_Cinch_p/g-wes.htm

[NoSuchPerson]

@endlessclimb

If none of those work, I know a lot of english riders have luck with leather-lined stuff for the sensitive horses. Do they make that in a western cinch?

Yes, they must, because I’ve seen one, although it has been some years ago and I have no idea where it came from.

When one of my horses was at a colt-starter, the trainer was telling me about another horse he had in for training that was having the same issue you describe. He said the owner finally went out and found a leather cinch. The leather cinch plus liberal application of Vaseline to the cinch in the area the horse was getting rubs/galls solved the problem.

Which, now that I think about it, makes me wonder if the application of Vaseline to a neoprene girth in the areas of the rubs might help?

[endlessclimb]

Mohair cinch is on order.

Edit, I’m sorry, I didn’t answer your other question.

I have tried both ways - pulling the legs forward, and not pulling the legs forward. Both ways, galls.

[endlessclimb]

I’ve tried Gold Bond and Anti-Monkey-Butt powder where it was galling, but not vaseline. I can try that. I strongly prefer neoprene, myself - easier to keep clean. Edit: That said, I don’t give a rip what material it is at this point. I need it to not gall.

[Training_Cupid]

This one is all leather: https://www.statelinetack.com/item/tory-harness-leather-cinch/E001253 034/

[endlessclimb]

Looking for something with at least a little padding, if possible. I’ll keep this one in mind, though. Thank you!

[cutter99]

I have been told that girth galls with a Western saddle can be a saddle fit issue.

I have one horse that I fought girth gall issues with for about a year, and even with a custom fitted saddle, he still had issues.

I had success using 2 things- girth gall cream and these Professional’s Choice girths. I tried just about every type of girth on the market. Thank the stars for Riding Warehouse’s return policy!

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Bickmore_Equine_Antiseptic_Gall_Salve/descpage-BIEG.html?from=gshop&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-YUQNZD3LRoBvIEhDiaZejYo8_8&gclid=Cj0KCQjw16O_BhDNARIsAC3i2GCpDCrmJc2yivoEP-i6OQmfMcD5Nh9OpE-bEqceUwCx0Ewpm9ZnTisaAuzHEALw_wcB

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Prof_Choice_Contoured_Faux_Shearling_Fleece_Cinch/descpage-PCXS.html?color=BK&_gl=1q5ih7l_upMQ…_gs*MQ…&gclid=Cj0KCQjw16O_BhDNARIsAC3i2GCpDCrmJc2yivoEP-i6OQmfMcD5Nh9OpE-bEqceUwCx0Ewpm9ZnTisaAuzHEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAD-YUQNZD3LRoBvIEhDiaZejYo8_8

[endlessclimb]

It’s 100% possible the saddle isn’t perfect. But it will have to be good enough at the moment, because she’s so froggy I’m not putting “saddle money” into her, yet. I’m spending that money on training for her and I. (She’s froggy with or without a saddle, and she’s froggy in a dressage saddle too)

I have and use the gall salve. I typically put it on after a ride, as I thought it would gum up on the girth while riding. How did you use it, that helped?

I saw that girth, but after the wide neoprene failure, and now a fleece anatomic failure, I’m not sure it’s the one. She’s got such limited real estate down there.

Oh Grundy.

[Kinda_Kooky]

Is there any way it could be rubs from her fronts when she lays down?

My compact pony went through a phase where he did that.

I thought it was the girth, then maybe sarcoids potentially, eek!

After watching him sleep and then get up I figured out it was his shape, not everything else. We have decreased his circular form and have resolved that issue.

He is on a diet but gains weight watching others eat hay.

I think I hope that’s your problem , it might be easier to deal with than other issues!

[luvmyhackney]

Have you tried sheepskin pads in the rubbing spots?

Where exactly are the gals? by the top buckle or lower down?

[endlessclimb]

I guess it could be! I’ll have to keep a closer eye. She is not fat by any means.

[endlessclimb]

Lower down. Where that little indent is.

I’ve tried a full sheepskin girth, it’s the most recent gall. I was avoiding it for cleaning reasons, caved thinking it would solve it. Of course I’m not that lucky lol

[4horses]

Mohair and petroleum jelly are the 2 things that work for me, most of the time.

[luvmyhackney]

That’s a tough place to solve for. Usually it’s saddle fit or girth too narrow and all the girths you mentioned should be fine thickness wise.

I’d coat with Vaseline and rotate girths to maybe help.

[cutter99]

I put the girth gall ointment on the areas that gall right before I saddle. It gets the girth a little dirty, but those Professional’s Choice girths wash up really well.

[Aces_N_Eights]

Other than mohair and if you want to spend money, try alpaca as well.
I used to use clean tube sock pieces cut to slip over a cinch and lubed up with Corona. You don’t trash your cinch as bad and you can toss the piece of sock. I’ve used a piece of microfiber towel in a pinch, very carefully cinched to make sure it didn’t wrinkle up on the sore or potential sore.

To dive a bit deeper, is there a possibility of overpadding under your saddle causing it to roll or undercinching causing friction?

[endlessclimb]

The pad I use is a 1/2" Five Star felt pad (i think! Its not one of those monster thick ones). I have a thicker felt one but feel it makes the saddle more move-y.

I don’t think I’m under cinching, I can just barely stuff my hand in at her sternum. I can play with loose/tighter to see if it gets me anywhere.

I like your sock ideas, especially for the colder weather where cleaning isn’t as simple as the summertime.

[FjordBCRF]

@cutter99

I have been told that girth galls with a Western saddle can be a saddle fit issue.

Seconding this. When I was having girth galling issues with Charlie, it was the saddle. Once I got that sorted, I haven’t had any issues with girths since.

[endlessclimb]

I hear you both. Sigh. I know the tree doesn’t look right in the back, it doesn’t “wrap” around her how I’d like. But right now, it’s just not in the cards.