I know this is a really stupid question! I don’t own a horse, so I guess that explains why I don’t know how to measure for a girth. They come in sizes (inches), but where do you measure the horse to fit it for a girth?
While their conversion for a dressage girth to a “regular” girth doesn’t work for my horses… This may help you.
Funny you should say that, because in all my years, I’ve never actually measured for a girth. I just make a guess based on the saddle’s billet length and how big/round the horse is. For example, my Delgrange has average, maybe a little long billets, and my horse is a little small so I use a 46. If I have an average sized horse and average length billets, i’d start with a 48 or 50 and see how that works. Average large ponies with average length billets are often a 42 or 44.
I have collected a few girths through the years and I just try them on. But I also have never measured either I guess too. You start to get an idea over the years my current horse is huge we are at a 56" girth now and if he gets any bigger I need to custom order one.
I don’t think I’ve ever actually measured for a girth either. Usually I eyeball the size of the horse’s barrel and make an educated guess, taking into account how long/short my billet straps are. My current horse requires a 52" now but he’s a bit on the slim side, so I anticipate going to a 54" soon. He’s 17hh.
While this link discusses mostly Western measurements, I really like the table they have for estimating girth size based on general height: http://www.elitesaddlecompany.com/templates/els/page/page_html_standard.php?secID=95
Oh okay! 
Thanks! So when I do get my horse, I should wait till I bring him home before I buy?
Assuming you test ride the horse first, I would check what girth size they have him going in and take into consideration the saddle you’ll be riding him in also - short, average, or long billets? And then buy based off of that. I think it’s always better to buy longer than short!
Some of it will depend not only on the horse, but also on your saddle, the billet lengths, and the saddle pad. For my gelding, I tacked him up just like I would to ride with the saddle, half-pad, and square pad, and then measured (with a soft, flexible measuring tape) from the first billet hole to the billet on the opposite side. Make sure to buy a girth with stretchy elastic on both ends; it will make your life much easier! I personally am a big fan of the Professional’s Choice neoprene girth, but plain leather and fleecy girths work just as well. Check out what kind of girth he’s being ridden in and go from there!
I would wait until you bring the horse home. Then saddle him up, measure him, and head to the tack store. Good luck with your new guy
A related question: what is the ideal location for the girth buckles to be? I imagine you wouldn’t want to be at the first billet hole but not on the last one either. So is being somewhere in the middle the best location?
[QUOTE=SnicklefritzG;7435056]
A related question: what is the ideal location for the girth buckles to be? I imagine you wouldn’t want to be at the first billet hole but not on the last one either. So is being somewhere in the middle the best location?[/QUOTE]
At least two holes to spare on top, and at least one to spare on the bottom And preferably even on both sides.
[QUOTE=SnicklefritzG;7435056]
A related question: what is the ideal location for the girth buckles to be? I imagine you wouldn’t want to be at the first billet hole but not on the last one either. So is being somewhere in the middle the best location?[/QUOTE]
Pony Club says 2 holes above and 2 below So yes, somewhere in the middle! Just keep in mind that most horses are crafty devils, and will puff their bellies out when you first girth them up. If you can get it on the first hole on the first try, it’s a good fit. Wait a few minutes, then re-adjust. You’ll probably be able to get it up several more holes on both sides after the horse exhales.
Thanks so much! 
