Of course!
I would say some stretching of his front legs (both forward and laterally) will help with the area you’ve targeted as well. Good luck!
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And I no longer use that girth because as confirmed by my equine massage therapist…it was causing tight pecs and trigger points along the girth line. Both the pecs at the base of the neck and those that run under the girth line. My horse was clearly uncomfortable and unhappy with it. But as a mare, she may be more expressive than a gelding.
I switched to a Jeremy Rudge girth that I just happened to have and it is like night and day. It is a wider girth where the elastics are positioned such that they pull from the centre. I am not saying that the JR girth is the silver bullet, it just created a significant difference.
After this experience where I thought I was doing the best for my horse with TSF girth with fleece lining, I am not so sold on anatomical girths. Where I thought I had a girthy horse, it’s not the same anymore. EMT noticed the difference in her pecs after the girth change after a month (next visit).
By the way, we checked things other than just the girth including how she was being ridden that could cause tight pecs, and these did not appear to be at issue.
My horse too also has a very deep shoulder and she is close coupled. She is an Appendix, so is narrow in the girth area as opposed to round.
For what it is worth. I know some horses love the TSF and other anatomical styles…all horses being different.
WOW did a video on pressure testing various girths in which IIRC the Jeremy Rudge performed very favourably. Their conclusion was that
a well-designed sternum plate that lifts the girth away from the muscles either side of the sternum is generally helpful to reduce pressure points and enable free movement.
Unfortunately they had to withdraw the video as one of the manufacturers of the girths they tested sued, claiming the girth hadn’t been fitted properly, it was very informative it’s a pity it is no longer available.
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It was not the advantage girth, if that is what you are getting at.
I think I was clear that it was an older girth that I just happened to have that worked better than the TSF and just happened to be a JR.
My point also was that anatomical girths are not necessarily the right solution for certain horses. My horse hates the TSF. Try different things
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