Tried to pm you, but your message box is full.
[QUOTE=netg;8422423]
Not how/why I use one. I use it because my horsesā shoulder blades are far behind their girth grooves. Either the girth slips back behind the girth groove, saddle is pulled forward over the shoulder blades, or the two just pull against each other making it uncomfortable for the horse. There is a straighter shape with cutouts (or bulge, depending how you want to define it) which is for keeping girth away from elbows. Or the ones which are wider in the middle are just to distribute the stresses at the sternum across more area.[/QUOTE]
NETG - I have one of these horses as well. Add to the fact that she has ādipsā behind shoulder and a long wither. She has been a challenge to fit since Day 1. I use both an anatomical girth (County) AND grip saddle pads with grip stuff top and bottom. No fun, lol
I have found that the only girth my horse really likes is the Schleese softy. It is cut back around the elbows and soft enough to conform to her well sprung barrel that tapers to her girth groove. It does not gap at the front and conforms to her shape. It is expensive at around $250 however it is made of quality leather and is softly padded. I can hose it off and just condition it once in awhile. I have tried others but always go back to this one. They have one that is wider and one that is narrower. I have the narrower one.
[QUOTE=2tempe;8427959]
NETG - I have one of these horses as well. Add to the fact that she has ādipsā behind shoulder and a long wither. She has been a challenge to fit since Day 1. I use both an anatomical girth (County) AND grip saddle pads with grip stuff top and bottom. No fun, lol[/QUOTE]
I donāt really have problems with my mare, as I have used this type of girth her entire time under saddle. But my gelding had some problems, and in his case it probably is more long withers than shoulder, as he has a big shoulder but itās not so long and sloping as my mare is.
Billets angled properly and suited for your horse also help if you are able to work with a good saddle fitter who will ensure you have the correct saddle configuration for your horse.
I finally got my Fairfax girth - and I have to say, the shape is much different then any anatomic girth I have seen to date - it curves forward quite a bit more in the girth groove area. I got the ānarrowā cut, which is still plenty wide - I canāt imagine how the āwideā cut would fit anything except an EXTREMELY broad horse.
The girth is very well made - soft and well padded, all the edges are well finished. Of course, the Prestige girth is also very well made and nicely padded. I feel, from just a āpadding and overall qualityā standpoint, these two girths are by far the nicest anatomic girths Iāve seen.
My mare went well in it - Iāll try a few rides and see if she continues to go well - she is a very sensitive, very girthy, very mare mareā¦
Iām not sure she went better in it then the Prestige - Iāll do a few rides before making that determination.
Sizing - both girths I have are 60s (24 inches) and the Fairfax is maybe a tad shorter (buckle to buckle) then the Prestige, but not enough for me to worry that the girth wonāt fit.
I am not a premium member, so I canāt upload a picture of the two girths (Prestige and Fairfax), but if anyone is interested, I can post one on Photobucket or Facebook.
[QUOTE=MysticOakRanch;8437287]
I am not a premium member, so I canāt upload a picture of the two girths (Prestige and Fairfax), but if anyone is interested, I can post one on Photobucket or Facebook.[/QUOTE]
Please!!
[QUOTE=tollertwins;8437483]
Please!![/QUOTE]
I second that! Iām considering the Fairfax narrow gauge as well.
[QUOTE=sheltona01;8427854]
Tried to pm you, but your message box is full.[/QUOTE]
Was this in response to me, or another poster?
I think this link will work - I included one picture with the Fairfax set right on top of the Prestige, then 2 pics of the 2 girths next to each other.
Mystic, I couldnāt open the link. It says I have to sign up for shutterfly. Any chance you could put these pics on facebook?
[QUOTE=Gestalt;8437852]
Mystic, I couldnāt open the link. It says I have to sign up for shutterfly. Any chance you could put these pics on facebook?[/QUOTE]
See if that works.
Wow, thatās a drastic difference between the two girths, MysticOakRanch! The Fairfax looks more similar to the SW and Bella Donna, but even more exaggerated.
I noticed that my TSF girth does gap a bit in the front and seems tighter along the back edge. So now Iām left wondering if the Fairfax would fix that issue. 
[QUOTE=LadyNeon01;8440272]
I noticed that my TSF girth does gap a bit in the front and seems tighter along the back edge. So now Iām left wondering if the Fairfax would fix that issue. [/QUOTE]
Iāve had that issue with a lot of girths - where I might have to tighten the front billet a hole higher on both sides to āevenā the pressure. Have not had this issue w/ the Fairfax. My mare seems to be pretty happy with it so far - as happy as a snarky, overly sensitive, Princess Pony might be:)
ETA - if you look at the āpressureā of the girth, it is pretty even - the area that extends in front of the girth groove does āgapā a bit. Hard to explain without actually looking at the girth when it is on. What I notice about this girth is it is much more even in overall pressure. So far, so good, but not sure Iād say it is a majikal girth.
[QUOTE=LadyNeon01;8440272]
ā¦my TSF girth does gap a bit in the front and seems tighter along the back edge. So now Iām left wondering if the Fairfax would fix that issue. [/QUOTE]
The Fairfax has a gap at the front by design. Given the TSFās inspiration for their girth, I assume it does this as well.
[QUOTE=MysticOakRanch;8437287]
I finally got my Fairfax girth - and I have to say, the shape is much different then any anatomic girth I have seen to date - it curves forward quite a bit more in the girth groove area.[/QUOTE]
Isnāt the Fairfax the one the British team referred to as their āsecret weaponā? And that they āunveiledā to the world at some major competition?
Also - FWIW - I posted earlier about the leather cracking on my TSF. I have been in touch with the company, and they are dismayed about the situation. They believe it must have been a bad hide (something went amiss in the tanning process), and they have offered to replace my girth for free (well, I have to ship my current girth back to them, so will have to absorb those shipping charges). Kudos to them for accepting responsibility!
1 Like
DY, yes, the Fairfax is the girth that the UK team used and called the āsecret weaponā (although note that Valegro uses a different girth). They didnāt release the research until after the Olympics.
http://www.quintic.com/quinac/H&H%20Girth%20Research.pdf
As for the TSF - they are made in India, and apparently there are a lot of leather failures going on (according to a saddle fitter in the area who has seen several with leather issues). But they seem to have great customer service.
FYI
Iāve been using my TSF girth )3-5 times a week) for over a year and itās still in perfect condition, even though I am not the best at keeping my tack cleanā¦
We have had no issues with it gaping in the front.
[QUOTE=MysticOakRanch;8442205]
DY, yes, the Fairfax is the girth that the UK team used and called the āsecret weaponā (although note that Valegro uses a different girth). They didnāt release the research until after the Olympics.
As for the TSF - they are made in India, and apparently there are a lot of leather failures going on (according to a saddle fitter in the area who has seen several with leather issues). But they seem to have great customer service.[/QUOTE]
Where is the Fairfax made?
The Fairfax girths are handmade in England.
Mine looks new 7 months in with 4 day a week use and minimal cleaning.
