I’m in a bit of a quandary. My Devoucoux girth has elastic on both ends (which, BTW, is a pain to keep clean) but at a recent saddle fitting with a well know saddle fitter, I was told that horses are much more comfortable in a girth without elastic. Now, I’m really confused. Which is more comfortable for the horse? And, is there a safety reason to use one and not the other? Lastly, does it make a difference whether one is riding dressage, x-country or stadium. TIA for all informed (and even not informed but considered) opinions.
I was always told that with double end elastic you run the risk of over-tightening the girth, which I imagine would be uncomfortable for the horse. I would think you’d want at least one end elastic though, especially for the jumping phases so there’d be some give when the horse makes a big effort over a fence. That’s pure conjecture on my part though.
PS will we see you at any events this year? I want to meet your new (though I guess not so new now) guy!
Upon what evidence was this proclamation based? :rolleyes:
That’s the kind of thing that can only be approached by guessing. I’m guessing that horses are like people who need to wear bands around their bodies for whatever reason–a little bit of “give” is a nice thing. 
Clean, in good repair, and properly fitted is probably way more important than the opinion of a saddle fitter, well known or otherwise. IMO. 
Personally I like elastic on both ends, and I take it upon myself to make sure I don’t crank it too tight. Nothing worse than seeing a horse pinched in half by a girth. SO unnecessary. I heard a bunch of vets at Red Hills commenting that “eventers tighten their girths more tightly than any other riders”. For what THAT’s worth. :lol:
Personally I like Elastic…I REALLY like the Egronomic shaped girths–saddle just seeems tokeep saddle in quiet stable spot on the horses back.
Elastic
My horse prefers a fleece or sheepskin girth with elastic on both ends. I have a terrible habit of not over tightening my girth-just the opposite. I manage to get my girth snug with the jump saddle, but with my dressage saddle it is almost always one hole loose. Good thing my horse has a wither!! :yes::yes::yes:
I haven’t used a girth with any kind of elastic for over a year now because my mare has very sensitive skin so I can only really ride her in cord (or mohair) girths. She is definitely the kind of horse that will let you know if she doesn’t something and she doesn’t mind have a girth without elastic.
On the other hand I prefer one sided elastic girths because it must be more comfortable, and its not as easy to over tighten like a double ended.
I hate girths with no elastic. Can’t get them tight enough. And the only way elastic girths could be uncomfortable is if you put them on way too tight. Ask yourself if your snug pants are more comfortable with elastic in the waistband or without. 
[QUOTE=deltawave;5570788]
Upon what evidence was this proclamation based? :rolleyes:[/QUOTE]
There was at least one study (I think it was a series) in Australia a few years back that linked over-tightening the girth to a drop in performance on the racetrack. If the girth is too tight, the horse can’t breath properly.
Okay – here’s a write-up from the Blood-Horse in 2001.
Girth Tightness and Performance
On average, for each kilogram of increase in girth tension over five kilograms, the horses in the study became fatigued 81.3 meters (0.05 miles or 88.9 yards) sooner and tired 12 seconds quicker.
“It is our view that girths are frequently over-tightened,” Slocombe said. “Riders should be aware that there is an optimum tension, probably at least eight to 10 kilograms, in order to prevent saddle slippage. But if it is much higher than that, it will begin to have a negative impact on the horse’s performance.”
(I only have non-elastic girths. Easier to clean, more durable.)
I prefer girths that have either elastic on both ends, or no elastic at all. Having it on one side just seems like it would feel crooked and apply pressure unevenly, but that’s purely speculation.
I always use double ended elastic girths. Both of mine go better in them. You just have to pay attention and make sure you don’t crank them too tight.
I use a non elastic girth to jump. It’s apparently an “equalizer” girth… the buckles are attached by a ring to the girth, supposedly stabilizing the pressure across the width of the leather.
Bad thing, its white.
Good thing, it cleans really easily.
Great thing, I got it for free, thanks to my best friend.
Corelli has no qualms, he uses himself fabulously. I get it tight enough just fine.
[QUOTE=Wayside;5571002]
I prefer girths that have either elastic on both ends, or no elastic at all. Having it on one side just seems like it would feel crooked and apply pressure unevenly, but that’s purely speculation.[/QUOTE]
exactly this.
a very experienced saddler over here in the U.K. told me that if you use a girth with elastic on 1 end only, if the horse makes a big effort over a fence and expands his ribcage as he comes up, the saddle will be pulled against the spine down the non-elastic side, which is why some horses go a bit sideways in the air…
i prefer girths with elastic in the middle only, or none at all.
a HHOer had a newish expensive elasticated girth snap clean through out hunting. a saddler explained to me that when the elastic’s sewn, the needle will pierce certain elastic strands. it’s down to chance how many are broken by this, and when the girth will fail… not exactly encouraging.
so, from a safety point of view, no elastic imho. no danger of overtightening either.
I’ve noticed people tend to pay less attention at keeping the girth even with double elastic girths. A BNR/T, in his scary Irish tone, said you must pay careful attention to this - I have ever since. I only use double-elastic girths as my horse has allergies & skin issues, and the girth I use happens to only by available in double elastic.
I use a girth with elastic on both sides, or none at all. Elastic on just one side gives an asymetrical pull.
No danger of overtightening in my case. I am much more likely to end up with the girth too loose.
I find that generally speaking, nonelastic girths are very hard to tighten enough and elastic on both sides tends to get tightened to much.
I prefer elastic on one side. Personally, no matter what I use, my girths are usually to loose, but I am just in the practice of elastic on one side from working with beginners/little kids.
interesting
Girth Tightness and Performance
Quote:
"“Riders should be aware that there is an optimum tension, probably at least eight to 10 kilograms, in order to prevent saddle slippage. But if it is much higher than that, it will begin to have a negative impact on the horse’s performance.”
Hmm… does anyone know what 8 to 10 kg feels like?
lift up a 20lb bag of dog food. that is about 19kg.
[QUOTE=lizathenag;5571838]
lift up a 20lb bag of dog food. that is about 19kg.[/QUOTE]
20lbs is a little over 9kg!
My horse is a genius at faking me out that the girth is tight when I re-check before mounting, but without fail it’s hanging loose within minutes of riding. Not too worried about it being elastic!
I also think double-elastic is easier to tighten humanely and allows a deep breath on XC or big effort over a fence… just a common sense guess, I don’t know if that’s a fact.
Depends on the horse. All mine like elastic all the way from buckle to buckle.
