Looking for recommendations for a soft full length girth for my sensitive horse that is completely leather, and doesn’t break the bank.
I LOVE eponia’s soft short girth- but it doesn’t come in full length!
Might be helpful to know why you need a soft girth, and why it needs to be completely leather. The best girth I had was a mohair string girth. That’s the only ‘cheap’ girth my horse liked, and still likes the best.
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My stupidly sensitive horse has done well with both an Albion girth as well as a Stubben girth. Neither are cheap, but they also are ridiculous, especially for the quality. Doesn’t hurt to look second hand, either (both my Albion and my Stubben were second hand).
Stübben really does have some ridiculously soft leather on their girths.
I have 2 very soft girths - a Mattes fleece (I think they used half a sheep) and a neoprene one. One horse objected to anything but the Mattes, and one to anything but the neoprene. The neoprene is easy to keep clean (hose after the ride) and not that expensive. It’s not shaped, or contoured or any of the other things some horses prefer but it’s his favorite.
Try the Stubben Select girth. Same great, soft leather as the regular Stubben pieces, just made in India rather than the EU so closer to $100 than $200.
I second the mohair string girth comment.
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I’ll add another vote for the mohair string girth. My sensitive horse is very thin skinned and has lots of extra loose skin at the elbow. Anything with any thickness to it (most “soft”/padded/leather girths) rubs the skin at the elbow. She’s also not a huge fan of girths with a lot of elastic as they seem to allow the saddle to move too much or I do them too tight and she objects to that too! The mohair string girth has never rubbed and keeps the saddle stable and doesn’t allow me to make it too tight!
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Thanks for the suggestions!
My horse likes soft things; She doesn’t like synthetic girths/stiff leather girths. She likes my fleece lined girth but i dislike how slippery it is
My horse is super sensitive, and I also dislike using sheepskin or fleece for jumping bc of the slipperyness. I bought this girth for him last year and it’s worked out well: http://profchoice.com/i-20504222-ventech-leather-english-girth.html and it’s also very pretty!
Ive always like the neoprene Professional Choice girth because it doesn’t move at all and it doesn’t have to be buckled quite as tight to stay in place. My horses never seemed to mind either. The neopreme is washable also, and it’s quite inexpensive.
I had the same issue with my guy. He’s very thin skinned with extra skin in his armpit. I have a Voltaire Ergonomic girth. It doesn’t let the saddle slide, I don’t have any more issues with rubs and he seems to like it. It’s not cheap but it was worth it.
The neoprene girth I have is both soft in terms of squishness - it almost feels like gel - and 'to the touch" where it is smooth and sort of like that washed silk. It’s a different surface than neoprene lined boots which have more of an open cel look. I was skeptical that it would be a sweaty mess, and seems it would be uncomfortable but apparently not.
My guy is allergic to neoprene (so fun! sarcasm font intended), so the squishy neoprene girths have never been an option. My hot set up for years was just a bunch of the inexpensive washable fleece girths (yes, slippery, but doable). But that was always when I had access to a washer right in the barn (Toby is a sweating monster). When I moved to a barn that I had to haul my laundry from and wash at home, I quickly figured out I had to find some new options. A leather girth with buttery soft leather and cushy edges. Sensitive skinned horses are a PITA, but thanks to having two in a row (and having groomed a very particular and thin skinned neurotic chestnut Irish horse for years), I am a pro…:lol:
