Types of Girths How to Choose Between Types of Girths Girths come in a variety of materials and shapes, and each offers unique benefits to the horse. The right type of girth for your horse will depend on your horse's conformation, how your horse moves, skin sensitivity in the girthing area, allergies to textiles and how much he sweats during work.
The most important aspect about the material and shape of a girth is that it works well with your horse's conformation and gaits to distribute pressure evenly along his barrel. The girth needs to move very slightly with the hair (horizontally) and not against it (vertically) in such a way as to chafe.
Straight girth styles are fashioned like a belt. Anatomically contoured styles are designed to provide room for a horse's elbows during movement- ideal for horses with big shoulders or big gaits. Some long girths have built-in belly guards appropriate for jumpers; the guards protect the horse's underside from being injured by shoe studs while its hooves are tucked up over jumps.
Girth Materials- Leather: Offers the most traditional look and durability; may be elegantly simple or feature two-tones of leather, fancy stitching and overlays. Clean and condition with leather care products.
- Neoprene: Affordable and cleans with soap and water. Often a solution to slipping problems with leather girths. Be aware that some horses are allergic to neoprene.
- Synthetic: Economical, durable and easy-care. Clean with soap and water.
- String: In mohair, wool, cotton or nylon string, a popular choice for combating slippage, for horses that get irritated skin in the girth area and to alleviate certain pressure points. Natural string girths should be hand washed in cold water; nylon can be machine washed.
- Wool/Synthetic Fleece-Lined: Genuine wool or synthetic fleece may be attached to fabric or leather girths to help horses who need a soft surface against their skin. Genuine wool wicks sweat as an added benefit. Care varies depending on the style.
- Webbing/Fabric: Soft and affordable. Can be machine or hand washed in cool temperatures.
How to Size a Girth Sizing a Girth
A girth with the correct length for your horse and saddle will be adjusted on the same billet holes on each side-regardless of whether you're using a long girth or a short (dressage) girth.
For a long girth, ideally the buckles will not be located high under your thigh where they can feel bulky. When this happens, it means the girth is too long for the horse. Always be sure that you have at least two billet holes available above and at least one hole available below the buckles.
When looking at a short girth length for a dressage saddle or monoflap event saddle, be sure that you have at least three to four fingers' width between the top of the girth and the bottom of the saddle pad and saddle flap on both sides. If the girth comes too close to the edge of the saddle pad or flap, your horse's skin can feel pinched.
How to Estimate Girth Length
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Shop with 100% confidence at Dover Saddlery. If something doesn’t fit you or your horse, return your original purchase within a year, and we’ll make it right with a refund, exchange or replacement.
Our experience as riders and horse owners ourselves is that in most situations a year’s time is fair enough to evaluate proper fit and function. PLUS: For manufacturer’s defects, we’ll extend the manufacturer’s warranty to a maximum of 24 months, regardless of their individual policies. (AND: Manufacturer warranties longer than 24 months will be honored and supported by us as well up to the length of those warranties).
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To protect all customers and ensure that every return or exchange is handled fairly, we may require a receipt or decline a return in these situations:
• Item was not purchased directly from Dover Saddlery. (It was purchased at a used tack sale or from a retailer or online seller other than Dover Saddlery.)
• Item is missing a label or has been defaced.
• No receipt and no valid identification in our stores.
• Item is wet, dirty or contaminated, or until it has been cleaned. (For health and safety reasons, we cannot accept returns on used, defective or poorly fitting blankets if they are UNWASHED.)
• Item has been lost, stolen, damaged, or misused.
• On rare occasions, based on the nature of prior transactions.
• Supplements have been opened or used.
• Multiple returns of the same item.
• Personalized items may not be returned unless defective.
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