Different Types of Girth

With so many types and styles of girth on the market today – here John Hartley of Black Country Saddles takes a closer look at what is available.

There are so many girths available on the market today that it can be difficult to choose which one is best for your horse. This feature looks at a selection of these girths and explains the differences between various types.

Styles of Girth

Generally, there are two distinct basic styles which suit the length of billet strap on your saddle. The conventional girth for GP, Jumping and close contact saddles is required to fit short billet straps which don’t reach below the saddle flaps. However dressage girths are much shorter as they attach to billet straps which are long and fasten below the saddle flap so that the buckles do not interfere with the lower leg position.

Whether you require a dressage or regular length girth, they all come in different shapes, sizes and materials. There are a variety of online stores, such as Naylors, where you can choose from a variety of styles across the different types of girth available.

Material

The material can affect the fit, performance and durability of the girth and its comfort for the horse. Leather girths that are good quality are the most expensive but if well cared for will last a long time and provide a comfortable option for your horse. String or cotton girths are cheaper but can cause rubbing for some horses.

Some English girths will have elasticated ends between the buckle and the girth strap which helps with fastening and gives the girth more flexibility.

Jumping girth, or stud girth

A jumping girth, or stud guard girth, is shaped with a large oval panel in the centre which prevents the horse from kicking its stomach when jumping.

Dressage girth

Dressage girths also come in a range of different materials and styles. Leather is a popular choice and a shaped design is preferable for allowing maximum movement of the horse. Many are padded to provide extra comfort and some are lined.

The Atherstone girth

The Atherstone girth is a conventional length and is designed to be chaffeless through its shape. It is curved around the back of the elbows so this section is narrower, allowing better freedom of movement.

The Balding girth

A similar type of girth is The Balding which is a single piece of leather cut into three strands. The outer two pieces are crossed over one another like a braid. The Atherstone is similar but is made from a singular piece of leather which is then shaped or has another curved piece of leather added to it. However, non-leather Atherstone shaped girths are available and the ‘waffle’ design can encourage airflow.

Material, comfort and style

Breathability and comfort are important elements in a girth and the material and style chosen should incorporate this. Modern technology has very much been brought into girth designs of today and has significantly improved the styles available. Although ‘high-tech’ girths may be more expensive, in the long run they may be worth it if they reduce the likelihood of causing chaffing on a hot horse or girth sores. The design of girths has been seen to significantly contribute to horse’s performance so bear this in mind when purchasing