When it comes to tack, most equestrians spend the majority of their effort on their horse’s saddle and bridle. The girth is an often overlooked piece of equipment, when really it plays a pivotal role in how our saddles fit and can have a big impact on our horses’ movement. There are many different types of horse girths, from dressage girths to leather girths to anatomical girths. Choosing the right girth depends on your horse’s conformation, sensitivity, and your riding style. Most casual riders will need an all-purpose girth, like this one, that fits the bill for a wide variety of horses and situations. The Millers All Purpose Fleece Girth offers soft fleece to avoid chafing, and elastic on both ends for convenience while tightening the girth. Plus, it’s machine washable for easy care. If your horse has special needs, or you begin to ride and compete seriously, your girth needs will change. The Generic “Short” Girth When choosing a horse girth, first look at your saddle. If your saddle has long billets, you’ll need a short girth. Very commonly used with dressage saddles, and required for monoflap saddles, short girths remove bulk from underneath the rider’s leg, which allows them to give the horse more precise aids that require maximum contact. Removing this bulk also allows the horse to have full freedom of movement in their shoulders. Short dressage girths are the ideal choice for riders who have the correct saddle for this girth style and who desire the closest contact possible with their horse. For example, the Lettia Memory Foam Dressage Girth ergonomically molds to your horse’s body, which reduces pressure points and elevates your horse’s comfort under saddle. Most often used by dressage riders, this girth is ideal for everyday riding and schooling, but can also be used for jumping, if you have a monoflap saddle. Anatomical Girth for Deep-Chested Horses If you wander into any tack store, you’ll notice a section of horse girths that are curved, almost like an elongated peanut or infinity symbol. Called anatomical girths, these are ideal for deep-barreled horses who have large shoulders. The contoured shape allows extra room for the horse’s elbows, preventing chafes and allowing the horse to fully extend their shoulder. A good example of an anatomical girth is the Henri de Rivel Contoured Leather Girth. Designed to follow your horse’s anatomy, this girth is made from supple leather which allows for freedom of movement and comfort. Plus, elastic on both ends allows for even tension and easy adjustments. For the Big-Moving Jumper Many show jumpers and eventers use studs in their horse’s shoes. These studs allow for extra traction and grip on grass competition arenas. However, if you have a horse with a lot of scope who really tucks their knees up to their chest, these studs can cause injury to the horse’s belly. Injuries to the belly can also happen with regular horse shoes and even barefoot horses, if the horse falls or nicks their stomach with their hooves. A belly guard girth can prevent these types of injuries from happening by protecting the horse’s stomach. For example, the Henri de Rivel Belly Guard Girth extends far past where your typical girth ends, covering the horse’s stomach and creating a shield against potential hoof strikes. Fancy detail stitching and beautiful leather make this particular girth also suitable for the show ring. Protect Your Horse’s Skin with the Right Girth Girth sores can cause big problems and can be very tricky to heal. Sometimes they even require veterinary intervention. If your horse has sensitive skin or is prone to developing these sores, look for a chafeless girth. These types of girths are perfect for those horses with sensitive skin. Usually made from leather, like the Henri de Rivel Advantage Chafeless Girth, these horse saddle girths are soft and flexible. This way, when the horse presses against the girth with their elbows or shoulders, the girth softens and molds away from the horse’s movement, while still keeping the saddle securely in place. Secure Your Saddle Do you have a round or wide horse? Some barrel-shaped horses struggle with a saddle that slides back and forth no matter how much the fit is adjusted.* In cases like these, the right horse girth can help the saddle stay secure on their back. If this sounds like your horse, choose a girth that has no elastic on either end. Removing this degree of stretch in the girth can help stop the saddle from sliding and creates equal and even pressure on both billets, as long as you tighten it evenly. The even pressure can help prevent the saddle from being pulled to one side. The Equalizer Girth, by Henri de Rivel, is a great example of a girth that can prevent your saddle from sliding. Made from imported leather with minimal elastic, this horse girth is designed to create even pressure throughout the girth, thereby reducing pressure points. It allows even pressure on the billets to give your horse increased comfort. Its anatomical shape further improves your horse’s comfort. *If your horse’s saddle is sliding from side-to-side, have the fit checked by a qualified saddle fitter first and foremost. Find the Girth You Need on Breeches.com You can find the perfect girth for both your horse’s conformation and your riding style on Breeches.com. Home to high-quality and well-respected brands, like Henri de Rivel, Lettia, and Professionals’ Choice, you’re sure to discover a girth that both you and your horse will love on our convenient online tack store. Click here to explore our collection of girths.
When it comes to tack, most equestrians spend the majority of their effort on their horse’s saddle and bridle. The girth is an often overlooked piece of equipment, when really it plays a pivotal role in how our saddles fit and can have a big impact on our horses’ movement. There are many different types of horse girths, from dressage girths to leather girths to anatomical girths. Choosing the right girth depends on your horse’s conformation, sensitivity, and your riding style.
Most casual riders will need an all-purpose girth, like this one, that fits the bill for a wide variety of horses and situations. The Millers All Purpose Fleece Girth offers soft fleece to avoid chafing, and elastic on both ends for convenience while tightening the girth. Plus, it’s machine washable for easy care.
If your horse has special needs, or you begin to ride and compete seriously, your girth needs will change.
The Generic “Short” Girth
When choosing a horse girth, first look at your saddle. If your saddle has long billets, you’ll need a short girth. Very commonly used with dressage saddles, and required for monoflap saddles, short girths remove bulk from underneath the rider’s leg, which allows them to give the horse more precise aids that require maximum contact.
Removing this bulk also allows the horse to have full freedom of movement in their shoulders.
Short dressage girths are the ideal choice for riders who have the correct saddle for this girth style and who desire the closest contact possible with their horse.
For example, the Lettia Memory Foam Dressage Girth ergonomically molds to your horse’s body, which reduces pressure points and elevates your horse’s comfort under saddle. Most often used by dressage riders, this girth is ideal for everyday riding and schooling, but can also be used for jumping, if you have a monoflap saddle.
Anatomical Girth for Deep-Chested Horses
If you wander into any tack store, you’ll notice a section of horse girths that are curved, almost like an elongated peanut or infinity symbol. Called anatomical girths, these are ideal for deep-barreled horses who have large shoulders. The contoured shape allows extra room for the horse’s elbows, preventing chafes and allowing the horse to fully extend their shoulder.
A good example of an anatomical girth is the Henri de Rivel Contoured Leather Girth. Designed to follow your horse’s anatomy, this girth is made from supple leather which allows for freedom of movement and comfort. Plus, elastic on both ends allows for even tension and easy adjustments.
For the Big-Moving Jumper
Many show jumpers and eventers use studs in their horse’s shoes. These studs allow for extra traction and grip on grass competition arenas. However, if you have a horse with a lot of scope who really tucks their knees up to their chest, these studs can cause injury to the horse’s belly. Injuries to the belly can also happen with regular horse shoes and even barefoot horses, if the horse falls or nicks their stomach with their hooves. A belly guard girth can prevent these types of injuries from happening by protecting the horse’s stomach.
For example, the Henri de Rivel Belly Guard Girth extends far past where your typical girth ends, covering the horse’s stomach and creating a shield against potential hoof strikes. Fancy detail stitching and beautiful leather make this particular girth also suitable for the show ring.
Protect Your Horse’s Skin with the Right Girth
Girth sores can cause big problems and can be very tricky to heal. Sometimes they even require veterinary intervention. If your horse has sensitive skin or is prone to developing these sores, look for a chafeless girth.
These types of girths are perfect for those horses with sensitive skin. Usually made from leather, like the Henri de Rivel Advantage Chafeless Girth, these horse saddle girths are soft and flexible. This way, when the horse presses against the girth with their elbows or shoulders, the girth softens and molds away from the horse’s movement, while still keeping the saddle securely in place.
Secure Your Saddle
Do you have a round or wide horse? Some barrel-shaped horses struggle with a saddle that slides back and forth no matter how much the fit is adjusted.* In cases like these, the right horse girth can help the saddle stay secure on their back. If this sounds like your horse, choose a girth that has no elastic on either end. Removing this degree of stretch in the girth can help stop the saddle from sliding and creates equal and even pressure on both billets, as long as you tighten it evenly. The even pressure can help prevent the saddle from being pulled to one side.
The Equalizer Girth, by Henri de Rivel, is a great example of a girth that can prevent your saddle from sliding. Made from imported leather with minimal elastic, this horse girth is designed to create even pressure throughout the girth, thereby reducing pressure points. It allows even pressure on the billets to give your horse increased comfort. Its anatomical shape further improves your horse’s comfort.
*If your horse’s saddle is sliding from side-to-side, have the fit checked by a qualified saddle fitter first and foremost.
Find the Girth You Need on Breeches.com
You can find the perfect girth for both your horse’s conformation and your riding style on Breeches.com. Home to high-quality and well-respected brands, like Henri de Rivel, Lettia, and Professionals’ Choice, you’re sure to discover a girth that both you and your horse will love on our convenient online tack store.
Click here to explore our collection of girths.
