There’s a huge choice out there, but the best girth for your horse depends on conformation and comfort — no size fits all, as Emily Bevan finds out
LONG gone are the days when a girth was merely to securely hold your saddle in place. With research showing how ill-fitting girths can affect the horse’s movement, and stable vices such as biting or kicking being attributed to discomfort while girthing, more owners and riders are taking an interest and exploring the ever-increasing number of shapes, styles and types of girth.
Leather girths remain popular due to their strength and durability, and both the long and short dressage ones are frequently seen. As well as the standard girth, there are also the Atherstone and Balding styles, which narrow behind the elbows to allow greater movement and reduce rubbing.
International showjumper Anna Power uses leather girths on her horses, preferring the WOW range due to its girthing arrangement.
“My main horse Blazer B has a big shoulder and his girth groove is naturally further back, which means the saddle wants to move back,” says Anna. “I tried several different girths, but settled on the WOW Soft Straight Girth for everyday use and the WOW Curved Stud Girth for jumping. I’ve never had a problem with them causing sores as they sit in the right place and the leather is so soft and supple.”
International grand prix dressage rider Hayley Watson-Greaves is also a fan of leather girths and rides her horses in the Ideal Affnity F1 or the Ideal Affnity Pro padded dressage girths, using the sheepskin versions in competition.
この記事は Horse & Hound の January 2018 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Horse & Hound の January 2018 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
