Horses are beautiful animals that come with big responsibilities. Fundamental needs like food, water and shelter are, without doubt, mandatory. However, a horse needs more. One important addition to your saddle is a horse girth. Without it, the saddle is of little or no use.
What are Horse Girths?
A horse girth is actually a broad strap of material that goes around the horse in order to secure the saddle onto the animalќs back. These are most often made of webbing, leather or cotton. Horse girths are attached by buckles to the billet straps of the saddle, they go under the barrel of the horse (just behind the elbows) and end with another set of buckles on the opposite side of the horse. When placed properly, horse griths secure the saddle and prevent it from slipping sideways, backwards or forward. Besides being available in many materials, horse girths can also be found in many lengths, widths and styles as well. Once you take your horse's measurements, you will surely find one that will do a perfect job.
What is Their Most Important Feature?
One thing that is of utmost importance when it comes to girths is their strength. A horse's girth should never (and I can't stress this enough) be made of any material that can possibly break, and it should always be in a good condition so that no part gives way while riding. Moreover, this part of the saddle should provide safety for you, but comfort for the horse. If it is made of high-quality materials the girth will not cause any discomfort for the animal and it will not lead to injuries such as girth galls. In order to make sure that it won't break, you need to check its condition regularly. When properly maintained this piece of equipment can last you for decades.
Tips on How to Properly Handle Horse Girths
First, you need to feel around your horse's girth area before you place the gear so that you can make sure that there are no lumps, bumps, cuts, mud or dirt. Next, when putting the girth on, do it incrementally on either side so that it is equally tightened on both sides. After the saddle is in its optimal position, the horse girth should naturally sit in the horse's girth groove.
And lastly, remember that a properly fitting girth can help your horse reach its peak when it comes to performance. Contrary to that, an ill-fitting girth can cause pressure, irritation, and it can will limit your horse's freedom of movement, thus making the animal feel trapped.
A horse girth is actually a broad strap of material that goes around the horse in order to secure the saddle onto the animalќs back. These are most often made of webbing, leather or cotton. Horse girths are attached by buckles to the billet straps of the saddle, they go under the barrel of the horse (just behind the elbows) and end with another set of buckles on the opposite side of the horse. When placed properly, horse griths secure the saddle and prevent it from slipping sideways, backwards or forward. Besides being available in many materials, horse girths can also be found in many lengths, widths and styles as well. Once you take your horse's measurements, you will surely find one that will do a perfect job.
What is Their Most Important Feature?
One thing that is of utmost importance when it comes to girths is their strength. A horse's girth should never (and I can't stress this enough) be made of any material that can possibly break, and it should always be in a good condition so that no part gives way while riding. Moreover, this part of the saddle should provide safety for you, but comfort for the horse. If it is made of high-quality materials the girth will not cause any discomfort for the animal and it will not lead to injuries such as girth galls. In order to make sure that it won't break, you need to check its condition regularly. When properly maintained this piece of equipment can last you for decades.
Tips on How to Properly Handle Horse Girths
First, you need to feel around your horse's girth area before you place the gear so that you can make sure that there are no lumps, bumps, cuts, mud or dirt. Next, when putting the girth on, do it incrementally on either side so that it is equally tightened on both sides. After the saddle is in its optimal position, the horse girth should naturally sit in the horse's girth groove.
And lastly, remember that a properly fitting girth can help your horse reach its peak when it comes to performance. Contrary to that, an ill-fitting girth can cause pressure, irritation, and it can will limit your horse's freedom of movement, thus making the animal feel trapped.
