Hi Coth gurus. I have an ultra-sensitive horse who will get rubs with any girth I’ve tried: asymmetric leather, leather with fitted, sheepskin cover, elastic (Wintec), elastic with sheepskin cover, professionals’ choice, Mattes asymmetric, and now the Stillwater Mohair dressage.
The saddle was professionally fitted. The horse’s shoulder is stretched forward before every ride. She’s actually allergic to gall salve - found that out the hard way.
I’m not sure what to try next… any suggestions?
Have you tried a Westip girth? They were easy to find some years ago, you may be ab,e to find one on eBay.
Where do the rubs occur?
Thanks, keysfin. I’ll search ebay. The circular rubs consistently re-occur near the elbow… but in front of where the girth sits when the legs/shoulder are pulled forward.
total saddle fit girth was the answer for me for both my horses -with fleece pad.
my ubber sensitive trakehner loves the simple smartpak fleece girth without the fuzz on the inside. Mine is smooth… only like $30 too!
Girth is not snugged too tight, right? Do the rubs show hair loss, chafing, redness, or swellings? All of the above?
We have one horse that needs the Bick’s Girth Salve (green goo) smeared in that spot just behind the elbows on the armpit/barrel. Maybe there is another salve, if someone else has an idea.
Have you tried a girth sock?
I had a horse that was sensitive, and I thought a Mattes girth was the way to go. It turned out that the front edge of the girth was the issue, and sheepskin or fleece didn’t solve it. Ultimately, what worked was the Wintec neoprene type girth. Inexpensive, to boot!
mohair wasn’t a solution? what happened?
i’ve had super luck with this girth:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/ovation-mohair-girth/p/X1-02174/
the thing i like most about it is that it is much more flexible than a leather girth, and IMHO my guys seem to go better in it every time.
Mine got the same rubs. I tried a half dozen other girths before we landed on the Mattes sheepskin anatomic shaped girths, but then she got bruises under the area where the buckles were! I did have some thinline material sewn in there, but went searching for another solution…which was the Fairfax performance (aka MAGIC) girth. She has been happily going in the Fairfax, rub free, for a couple of years now.
[QUOTE=sheltona01;8623907]
http://www.hastilowusa.com/girths/balding-girth.html[/QUOTE]
Just want to say thanks for that link. I have a jumping balding girth I bought 20+ years ago and love it. The original manufacturer no longer makes them. Could never find a dressage version. I am surprised they are not more popular. Will be saving my pennies for this dressage one for my thin skinned, easily galled, eventer! 
I had good luck with the ovation gel body form girth. I do want to point out that many reviewers complained that the area behind the buckles wasn’t padded enough, but I did not experience an issue there. I ordered the girth very long though, and it actually buckles on the flap of the saddle for me. I know it is not supposed to fit that way, but my TB with very well sprung ribs has told me in no uncertain terms that he does not appreciate any girth that buckles on his sensitive ribs, or causes the billet straps to be pulled tight across his ribcage (that always seems to pinch his hair).
Anyway, it’s an unorthodox solution, but can you try a long girth with your saddle? It solved my rubbing and pinching issue, and I don’t have any problem with a buckle bulge under my leg (my billets stay behind where my knee is with the body form girth). Good luck, I hope you find something that works for you.
Thanks for the advice and suggestions. It’s a bald patch. Sometimes after a lesson where (apparently) she reaches more with that foreleg, there could be chafing. I treat with ointment from the vet, days off.
The Mohair worked beautifully for the first ride; the second ride (lesson) produced chafing in a completely new spot. The leg was pulled forward like always; skin smooth under the girth.
She’s rather round (and I’m not that strong) - I will check with my trainer to verify I don’t overtighten the girth. Thank you all again!
Galls in that location indicate that she needs more elbow room, which is exactly what the shape of the shoulder freedom girth provides. It has a deeper curve than most other shaped girths, so gives more space to the elbow.
Have you tried passier’s all elastic girth with no cover? It’s been the trick for a couple horse for me. Also consider that while your saddle fits perfectly in theory, that it might not be the perfect one in function.
Has anyone here tried this Christ product? It might work well for me ergonomically. And I’m thinking the black on black option will look nicer on my grey horse, than what I currently use which is a faux sheepskin sleeve over a plastic girth.
Broad mare, large belly with lowish withers and a very forward girth groove. (Lipizzan). She gets rubs in any girth not lined or padded.
http://www.fourstarbrand.com/product/horse-tack-and-equipment/christ-sheepskin-dressage-girth/
It’s very expensive so I’d love to hear any testimonials or reviews.
I went to a Fairfax girth - it is expensive, but have had NO problems since then. You can buy them from European vendors for less - still not cheap, but less. I got mine through Divoza. The girth is lovely, soft, well made, and the cut is WAY different then other anatomical girths. I have pics of that girth compared to a Prestige Anatomical girth on my FB page - I found the album, if you want to see the difference:
https://www.facebook.com/michele.dodge/media_set?set=a.10153342170438087.1073741973.589918086&type=3
A lot of real research in this girth about how it frees up the elbow, yada yada… I just found my mare was happier in it, and I no longer got edema and rubs under the girth.
I hate mohair girths - several people swear by them, but I’ve seen so many girth galls from mohair, I won’t ever use one again. Nor will a few of the trainers I know.
[QUOTE=Silverbridge;8624235]
Has anyone here tried this Christ product? It might work well for me ergonomically. And I’m thinking the black on black option will look nicer on my grey horse, than what I currently use which is a faux sheepskin sleeve over a plastic girth.
Broad mare, large belly with lowish withers and a very forward girth groove. (Lipizzan). She gets rubs in any girth not lined or padded.
http://www.fourstarbrand.com/product/horse-tack-and-equipment/christ-sheepskin-dressage-girth/
It’s very expensive so I’d love to hear any testimonials or reviews.[/QUOTE]
I haven’t seen that particular girth, but Christ makes some nice quality stuff. Similar to Mattes in quality - not like some of the “cheaper” sheepskin stuff that is on the market. One issue with sheepskin - you are in a sweaty part of the country - so it needs to be cleaned more often. I used sheepskin covers on an elastic Passier girth for a while (on the above mentioned sensitive princess pony), and after every single ride, I had to take a wet cloth to it to get the sweat off, and had to wash it a lot. Kind of a PITA - and in the Winter, it wouldn’t be dry by the next day. So I am not a fan of sheepskin on the girth (and I use my sheepskin half-pad with a regular pad between horse and saddle to avoid that sweaty sheepskin issue).
[QUOTE=Silverbridge;8624235]
Has anyone here tried this Christ product? It might work well for me ergonomically. And I’m thinking the black on black option will look nicer on my grey horse, than what I currently use which is a faux sheepskin sleeve over a plastic girth.
Broad mare, large belly with lowish withers and a very forward girth groove. (Lipizzan). She gets rubs in any girth not lined or padded.
http://www.fourstarbrand.com/product/horse-tack-and-equipment/christ-sheepskin-dressage-girth/
It’s very expensive so I’d love to hear any testimonials or reviews.[/QUOTE]
My horse doesn’t have a forward girth groove, so I use the straight version on him. I LOVE Christ’s sheepskin, so lush and even. The one thing that surprised me is the girth doesn’t have any elastic. I never over tighten my girths, though, so it’s been a non-issue. I’d highly recommend the giving it a shot
I had one mare that just had really loose elbow skin…used body glide in the armpits all the time.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
