Where does your girth stop at?

[mydogs]

Does your girth stop right at the edge of your saddle pad or do you leave some space between the top of the girth and your saddle pad?

I know the girth buckles shouldn’t interfere with the elbows, but I’ve always wondered what other people do about determining their girth size.

[tbchick84]

A saddle fitter told me just yesterday, you want to be able to fit roughly a hand between the end of the girth and the flap of the saddle as a general rule of thumb.

[mydogs]

@tbchick84

A saddle fitter told me just yesterday, you want to be able to fit roughly a hand between the end of the girth and the flap of the saddle as a general rule of thumb.

Good to know!
Although, I chuckled because my first thought was “my hand is much smaller than the average person’s hand” ha.

[Mukluk]

@tbchick84

A saddle fitter told me just yesterday, you want to be able to fit roughly a hand between the end of the girth and the flap of the saddle as a general rule of thumb.

Is there a rationale for that? Just curious

[Rackonteur]

@mydogs

Good to know!
Although, I chuckled because my first thought was “my hand is much smaller than the average person’s hand” ha.

I hear ya. Which I guess is why they invented measuring sticks for horses, since not everyone’s hand is 4" across!

[sheltona01]

I recommend that the girth is as close to the edge of the flap/saddle pad without overlapping it as possible. The reason why is to get it away from the sensitive area of the elbows and all of the nerves and such located in that area.

[Gestalt]

@sheltona01

I recommend that the girth is as close to the edge of the flap/saddle pad without overlapping it as possible. The reason why is to get it away from the sensitive area of the elbows and all of the nerves and such located in that area.

^ This is what I discovered with two of my geldings. They were very sensitive to a short girth.

[Magicboy]

And my saddle fitter wants the girth as close to the edge of the saddle pad as possible…again, for protection and because of sensitivity

[tbchick84]

@Mukluk

Is there a rationale for that? Just curious

I asked that, but didn’t really get an answer. I guess using your hand as a measurement assures there will be no interference with the flap after things stretch out a bit or if you misjudge the length. I agree more girth over two straps would feel better to the horse.

[outerbanks77]

@sheltona01

I recommend that the girth is as close to the edge of the flap/saddle pad without overlapping it as possible. The reason why is to get it away from the sensitive area of the elbows and all of the nerves and such located in that area.

This is what I go for. I’m always surprised when I see pics of international riders that have several inches of billet against the horse between the flap and girth, but then use a fleece girth liner. I’d rather have little or no billet directly against the horse. # of inches below the flap seems arbitrary, because that would be a very different thing for a regular flap on a small horse vs. a large horse wearing a short-flap saddle.