How would you know if it’s destabilizing? My mare SEEMS to love the TSF girth more than others.
I used a leather with elastic end girth on my young horse for a while, then switched to a non-elastic Mattes girth. He definitely prefers the non elastic sheepskin. I think the fluff maybe provides a little give?
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When I see the “fluffy” girths (sheepskin et al) I worry about the horse getting irritated by “crud” that would stick to the girth is the horse is ridden outside on wet ground etc.
I like how easy leather is to clean, and it doesn’t irritate the horse or attract dirt.
I used the girths with the minimal elastic ends for years, until trying string girths as mentioned above. My horses loved them, and that’s the style I’ve stuck with ever since. They’re from Stubben:
No rubs, no slipping, and no feeling as though a girth needs to be super tightened to stay in place on one of my round horses. They wash up easily, too; I can even throw them in the washer (I put each in a mesh bag).
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No, they are not destabilizing at all. I have three of the StretchTech girths (two hunter girths and one western) and I love how the horse can actually breathe in them. It also makes room for the shoulder as advertised. The girth is quite posh as well. We use mine daily in the Florida rain and it cleans up well for shows. I just got another one as my horse lost some weight and didn’t even blink at the price because it’s one of those pieces of equipment that actually performs as advertised.
I also like the reference to wearing elastic waistbands on Thanksgiving - I’ve always heard the argument that elastic girths can be “overtightened” but in theory it’s never made sense to me - but maybe I’m just not strong enough to ever crank one up that much? If anything, I find a leather belt to be way more uncomfortable - even if I put on a pair of elastic pants that are tight, the elastic always loosens up after a bit, but the leather belt never, ever does.
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That’s a really good concern. I have a few sheepskin covers for mine and I rotate them when then get dirty. I always take a couple of spares to shows in case it rains. My ponies love their cushy girths but it is more maintenance.
This is kind of a silly question but I’m a little confused about how much of a role the elastic plays in terms of helping their breathing. Doesn’t the resistance of the elastic increase as the horse breathes deeper? Kind of like a resistance band where it starts out more giving but then gets harder the more you try to pull or whatever. I’m not against girths with elastics, mine have elastic but I feel like I’m not getting something.
I have used a black Gemran made (can’t remember name) for many years, except for one horse who required mohair. I found it comfortable for the horse. It was 3" wide and came with leather keepers and leather buckle guards.
Last year I went on a LOOONG search for the right girth. Bravo had become quite annoyed at the tightening process, and seemed sore behind his elbow. It is compounded by a very short back, well sprung ribs, and a forward girth groove…
I tried Stretch-Tec, with neoprene and fleece covers.
I tried Fairfax, both plain and covered in a sheepskin cover from LeMieux.
I tried Tapestry (Suggest you look at this one if you like elastic. It’s pretty cool. https://marystack.com/tapestry-comfort-dressage-monoflap-girth/?sku=140581-003&gclid=CjwKCAjwuYWSBhByEiwAKd_n_lHsVrW3krDs1lgtfi09S0D3JGooGnS01N5eAiDPc_R4BhC9fA74ORoCn5gQAvD_BwE )
I tried Mohair, specially made with english buckles.
I finally discovered it was not the stretch of the girth that was at issue - it was the stiffness of the ENDS where the buckles are. (Also, the length - I am using the longest I can get away with to move the buckles away from the elbow)
I tried putting little sheepskin covers over the buckle ends (hard to manage)
Now I use a FlexRider girth. Under $50. Soft all over and stretchy all over. Washable and light. https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Flex_Rider_Anatomic_Comfort_Foam_Dressage_Girth/descpage-FRCF.html
Happy dance!
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I have mohair girths, short and long. They seem very comfortable for a horse with the s tretch. They “breathe” so nice in the heat. Easy to keep clean, I can even disinfect with bleach in the water.
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I have also had this issue, which is why i have retired my mare’s pro-lite. She was sore under the buckles. I have not had the same issue with Fairfax. I’ve found that after about a year, the pro-lite gets stiff and loses the cushiness under the buckles.
Regarding length, there is something to be said for using a long girth with the buckles between the flaps.
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i agree!
Now…if i could only find a nice long girth in a light color for my palomino mare. Or i suppose a fleece sleeve that surrounds the whole girth, top and bottom. Which would double the length of time i could use it without washing 
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String girths are available in white.
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I agree, it always seems to me the short girth puts the buckles toward the breast bone where there are more sensitive areas
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I have a couple of fleece sleeves, you can buy really lovely ones from Mattes. Not that long ago they were all the rage for hunters.
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i’ll have to buy one…if i can’t paint a leather one well. I’m going to try painting first though
Unless, of course, you have a monoflap like a Schleese…
I’m rethinking the whole monoflap thing. I have both regular and monoflap saddles, and I honestly prefer the one with two flaps. I like to be able to switch out my thigh blocks as needed - hard to do that with a monoflap. And I’m also rethinking the whole short girth thing.
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My thigh blocks are external, and attached with screws and velcro… But I am totally with you IRT girths - altho I must say I like not having the buckles under my leg (and I use a :webber: style stirrup leather for the same reason…)
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Elastic, both sides. I don’t over tighten my girths, with or without elastic. Elastic on one side should never exist, think of how uneven it is.
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