Tight girth

[appendix100]

I am having a horrible time getting my saddle girthed. I can feel my horse suck air in as I am trying to get the girth on. Once girthed, we are typically on the third hole from the end on either side.

Any tricks on getting that first hole? I don’t have a ton of hand strength & there isn’t much billet to grab.

He really likes his current girth, but it doesn’t come any larger. I’m considering having the elastic ends replaced with longer ones even though the girth is almost new, but it is an expense I’d like to avoid if possible since the girth does fit once I get it started.

[NaturallyHappy]

I put the girth on the first hole on the near side before I girth up the right side. I go back and forth a couple of times. I hope this is helpful.

[Mouse_amp_Bay]

Likewise, I find I need several adjustments to get to where it is snug but comfortable.

OP, consider if it is easier for you to start the girth on the rear buckle on both sides (i.e. nearest rump) before you get the front one on. And try tricking horsie with a cookie as you tighten, sometimes distracting them with chewing lessens the air intake.

If you are still struggling, perhaps a girth extender can help? For my super chubby guy, that sometimes saves the strain on my fingers. I put the girth extender on the front billet, very high - once the girth is on, I can transfer the buckles to the saddle (removing the extender).

[GraceLikeRain]

If the girth does not easily go 1 and 1 then I think it needs to be longer for everyones comfort. A girth extender may be a more economical option.

If it goes on 1 and 1, I’d only put it on that, give a treat, pick feet, etc. and then go 2 and 1. I never try and go beyond “lightly touching” when tacking. Taking at least 3 if not 4 rounds of incremental tightening eliminates so much of that girth resistance and is way more considerate.

[sigrid.sijtsma]

also if you put the girth up from each side 1 up, the saddle is around the horse the right way.

if you only put the girth up on 1 side the saddle, has more pressure on 1 side of the back of the horse then onthe other side, and it is not good, cause you saddle is not on the center of the horseback, but more on the left side, so then you sit on your horse not straight above, but on the left side of your horse, and in riding, you horse cant walk straight beneath you, and dosnt ride the correct way.