Sheepskin pads & Elasticated girths discussion

[Mossy]

FACT - single sided elasticated girths cause the saddle to move/tip away from elastic insert. This movement is only small but it does over time cause soreness and muscle wastage.

I had hundreds of templates of horses backs and they all displayed the same characteristic hook shape dependant on which side the elastic was used. Of course, I used to meet the occassional person who would actually swap the side of the elastic every ride but this was very rare.... in fact possibly only 3!

I would suggest that whatever has been said about sheepskin is nonsense. It's been a valuable tool for many people and their horses. Remember, what might suit one horse may not suit another.

And yes, many products are produced which I personally wouldn't use and some really shouldn't ever be made. Sadly this is the same in any walk of life not just the equestrian world though.

What girth would you recommend as it is a minefield. The "humane" girths have a metal focus spot and if you lose the strap you have no backup. The traditional girths have a concentrated pressure line down the centre. I have been advised to get a Stubben string one but I have heard bad reports about those too. I quite like the Libby's two part neoprene lined ones but they are quite bulky so anybody buying one may need to go up a size. Also what is your view on girth sleeves?

 

[star*]

I think elasticated girths are fine if the elastic is at both ends, pads I'd use as a temporary fix for a saddle not fitting correctly as I usd to use one for their back protection when jumping but got wrong off saddler and back man as it makes a perfectly fitting saddle ill fitting as the saddles are fitted without a pad. Thin saddlecloths/numnahs are fine but if a saddle fits perfectly then the saddle shoul be fie without anything.

 

[sharpsky]

Is it just the girths with elastic inserts at one end? I have a Wintec dressage girth which is slightly elasticated through the whole length - what about this type?

that is fine

we use half pads on all our horses but the saddles are fitted to accomodate this

 

[Remmy]

Mossy - simple is best. IMO the best girths are in no particular order, Stubben cord girths, plain flat leather girth without elastic ideally or if using elastic to have it at both ends and in triple not double as most cheap leather girths have. Last, good old Wintec Elastic range . Oh and the Stubben/Kieffer neoprene girths if you are looking for a non slip dressage length.

Ones to avoid -
1> anything with single elastic
2> humane types
3> anything with stitching in lines along the length of the girth like those cheap cottage craft types and a nylon variant widely available
4> Some atherstone types which have a 1" (ish) narrow leather strip running lengthways

Types 3&4 when tightened up will cause the girth to buckle inwards and effectively reduce the girths bearing surface - take a look next time you see one wacked up tight on some poor horse!

Hope this helps?