Girth Rub

[lorilu]

Update. The rub, now half healed, is way up between his front legs. I have no idea how that could be caused by a girth, and , I checked another anatomic girth I have. It comes no where near the rub. It’s a mystery.
I am using swat and Vaseline.
And to the person who called me “unethical”, well, piss on you. If I were unethical would I even admit having such a problem? Or ask for solutions?

The last time I rode Jagger got a big girth rub behind his elbow. Not sure why, this is the first time any of my horses have ever had one. I suspect worn fleece on the girth.
Does anyone have a secret “patch” to protect the area so I can still ride while it heals? It was rubbed raw but not bloody. A few days old now (thanks, Ian…) so its covered in a “scab” of sorts.
And yes, planning on a different girth and will remember to stretch those legs after girthing.

[widge]

My horse gets flakey elbows as his winter coat comes in, so depending on your climate could that be a factor?
For the rub, try Bickmore gall salve. It’s green and might stain your fleece but cleans off leather fine.

[lorilu]

Thanks, that’s just what I used. Looking for some way to protect it so I can ride…

[Jealoushe]

I would give it time to heal without riding. Shouldn’t take too long. Continuing to rub a girth on it will irritate it and delay healing and cause scar tissue. Healthy horse over ride time.

I would check saddle fit and make sure you groom thoroughly before every ride and have clean saddle pads and girths going forward. Once they get them they are prone to them afterwards.

[lorilu]

Pretty sure the cause was not pulling his legs out after I tightened the girth. Or, a slightly worn spot on the sheepskin right at that place on the girth. But yes, I agree, it would be best to let it heal. perhaps only groundwork until then.

[4horses]

Patroleum jelly helps a lot. Dab the area before riding. Also change your rigging. V rigging can move the girth back sometimes if you have a western saddle you can use.

[endlessclimb]

Is it in a spot you could slip a non-stick pad on after you girth up?

Can you switch to an anatomical girth with a big sweep to it that might completely avoid the area for a little while?

[cnd8]

Just let it heal a week before you ride.

[Jealoushe]

@lorilu

Pretty sure the cause was not pulling his legs out after I tightened the girth

This shouldn’t cause a gall. I would check the girth and saddle fit, although a damaged cover could also potentially cause it but sheepskin doesn’t usually rub.

[tabula_rashah]

This won’t help with the current rub but when I crewed for a friend at the 100 mile endurance national championship (and she won yay!) she put Cowboy magic on and behind the elbows every time she girthed up. Worked like a charm and wasn’t goopy like Bick’s or Vaseline

[WildGooseChase]

Any kind of girthing up will prolong healing. Not only that, but it will hurt at the very least.

Give him the time off of saddling up, and maybe ride bareback?

It’s not ethical to continue to saddle him, nor is it fair to expect him to be jovial while you do it.

[Lusoluv]

I discovered my horse was allergic to my neoprene lined jump girth. She slowly developed tiny bumps, then sores, that took a while to notice due to location. Plus I only used that neoprene girth once a week. I didn’t ride her for almost a week and when I did, I put a girth sock over her new, non-neoprene girth to avoid additional irritation. She healed up quick and was able to discontinue using the “sock”. Maybe try that?