Girths = Leather vs Fleece Lined

[HunterMarc]

So I am in need of a 52" girth and have a leather and fleece lined 50". I am debating if I should get a fleece lined as it is a little less in price or get a nice leather one. If I get leather I would prefer the Anatomic girths.

What is everyone’s preference? Used to be a thing for hunter rings to have all leather but over the years that has not been the case.

Thanks

[greywithchrome]

I always prefer leather girths, unless my horse gets rubs from them, and then I get fleece!

[BLBSTBLS]

I actually have fallen in love with the Lettia Memory foam girth.
My horse gets rubs from leather and the fleece was just a pain to keep white and clean looking. The girth keeps everything in place comes in a nice brown color, and just hose and hang to dry.

[GoodTimes]

I’ve got a nice leather fancy stitched girth for showing in (hunters), but day to day I just use the cheap fleece ones. I find it lasts about a year before I can’t get it looking half decent and the elastic starts to go. Saves wear and tear on my nice girth.

[jhg140]

Honestly… neither. The Professional Choice girths are awesome. They don’t rub (and I had one who would lose all his shoulder hair just looking at a blanket), you can hose them off or throw them in the wash, and they are just the easiest. I know some people get concerned about showing them, but you will see them on just about every 3rd horse at WEF, etc. I’ve had one now for 7+ years, and the elastic is still in excellent.

https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/professionals-choice-smx-english-girth-5107?utm_source=cpc&utm_medium=google&utm_content=shopping&utm_campaign=nb_shopping_tes&utm_term=15107

[Dewey]

You actually have more choices. The Lettia clik girths are really nice. I have a fleece one for every day and also have this one, which looks very nice in the show ring:

https://www.horseloverz.com/english-horse-tack/girths/english-girths/lettia-clik-all-purpose-girth?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&scid=scplp14946943&sc_intid=200-124721&gclid=Cj0KEQiAyuPCBRCimuayhb3qqvwBEiQAgz62kQ8VFFtZPwHhIQE86oBQ6ulWNDPPypUDqtTBCTDi5mAaAv5D8P8HA

I have a nice leather girth also, but the new synthetic materials proveide so much more convenience. I have also heard that sensitive horses like these:

https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/professionals-choice-smx-english-girth-5107?cm_mmc=google--nb_tack_girths_old--professional%20choice-_-+pro%20+choice%20+girth&utm_source=cpc&utm_medium=google&utm_content=nb_tack_girths_old&utm_campaign=professional%20choice&utm_term=%2Bpro%20%2Bchoice%20%2Bgirth

[silver_charm]

Agree with BLB, I love leather for showing but fussy TB needs something fluffy. The Lettia memory foam has kept both of us happy, as he doesn’t get rubs and I don’t have to deal with gross matted fleece.

[Foxglove6]

I like fluffy ones for being a little more forgiving and I like leather ones for being much easier to clean off in the summer with sweat and dirt everywhere. But my horse now needs an anatomical girth per my saddle fitter because of the shape of his shoulder and where his heart girth is. I’m not sure what purpose would be served by putting an anatomical girth on a horse that didn’t need one for their confirmation. But I now have a bunch of conventional girths that I probably won’t use again because they would drag my saddle into my horse’s shoulder.

[ParadoxFarm]

I flip flop. I have just about any kind you can think of: leather, fleece, fake fleece, Lettia Click, and my most recent, a SmartPak Air Neoprene girth. This is my schooling go-to girth these days. It’s easy to clean and an unintended benefit, I no longer need a breast strap on my mare to keep my saddle from slipping back.
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/smartpak-air-neoprene-girth-9889 I still do like the looks of leather for showing. I like my leather Edgewood with fleece for shows. But on occasion at a schooling show I’ve used the SmartPak girth.

[kafesoap]

My horse loathes this Smartpak girth. Everyone in my barn uses them but my guy tries to do anything and everything to end the ride when I use it.

[mmeqcenter]

I prefer leather. You can always get a fleece cover for it if your horse gets rubs.

[greywithchrome]

I HATE the Lettia Memory Foam girth. I felt like I was tightening my girth every 5 seconds because as the foam compresses, it gets looser.

[HunterMarc]

Thanks everyone. I think I am going to check out either the SmartPak Air+ Neoprene Girth or Professionals Choice SMx English Girth. I like the traditional leather but this from a distance could look like leather and sounds like it would be comfortable and not slip. I don’t think my horse necessarily NEEDS an anatomical girth, I just like them.

Leather is nice and easy to wipe off the sweat, fleece may not dry out after each ride are just my thoughts when deciding.

[HunterMarc]

Thanks everyone. I think I am going to check out either the SmartPak Air+ Neoprene Girth or Professionals Choice SMx English Girth. I like the traditional leather but this from a distance could look like leather and sounds like it would be comfortable and not slip. I don’t think my horse necessarily NEEDS an anatomical girth, I just like them.

Leather is nice and easy to wipe off the sweat, fleece may not dry out after each ride are just my thoughts when deciding.

[Due_s_Mom]

I like the SP breathable girth for everyday. They look good and I throw them in the washer!
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/smartpak-breathable-girth-6115

[fourfillies]

Another vote for the SmartPak Neoprene girth.

[greysfordays]

I love the professional choice girth. I show in the rated hunters and it’s never been a problem. The girth stays meticulously clean and bc it grips, I’ve found I don’t need my girth to be as tight tight as my leather girth. I think the horses appreciate that.