Horse girth

What is a girth and what is it for

A girth is a strap that goes under the horse's belly and connects the two sides of the saddle. It helps:

to stabilize the saddle,

to distribute pressure evenly across the horse's chest,

to increase rider safety,

to prevent the saddle from shifting or rolling.

A properly selected girth should allow the horse to move freely without causing pressure or restricting breathing.

How to use girths

The girth is attached to the saddle using buckles (stirrup straps). It is tightened gradually - first lightly when the saddle is put on and after a short time again when the horse relaxes.

Approximately two fingers should fit between the girth and the horse's body. The girth should not be too tight so as not to restrict breathing, nor too loose so that the saddle is unstable.

Types of girths
By riding style

English girths6

Shorter, with buckles on both ends

Used in dressage, jumping and recreational riding

Western girths

Wider, often softer

Fastened with knots or buckles

By shape

Straight girth – classic shape

Anatomical girth – shaped for freedom of movement

Half-moon girth – suitable for horses with sliding saddles

Dressage girth – longer, narrower

By material

Leather girths – elegant, strong

Textile girths – soft, affordable

Neoprene girths – easy to wash

Gel and memory girths – absorb pressure

Sheep (lamb) girths – very comfortable

Advantages of each types

Leather:3

Long-lasting

Suitable for racing

Textile:

Comfortable

Good breathability

Neoprene:

Easy to maintain

Suitable for sports

Lambskin:

Minimizes pressure sores

Ideal for sensitive horses

Disadvantages of saddle pads

Incorrect size causes pressure sores

Poor quality material can irritate the skin

Too tight fastening restricts breathing

Some materials retain heat

How to choose the right saddle pad

When choosing a saddle pad, the following should be taken into account:

type of saddle,

body structure of the horse,

skin sensitivity,

riding discipline,

length and shape,

quality of buckles and seams.

The saddle pad should lie flat, not press behind the elbows and allow natural movement.

Care of saddle pads

Clean after every ride

Treat leather with balm

Wash textile and neoprene according to instructions

Check for cracks and buckles

Most common mistakes

Tightening too quickly

Using a dirty saddle pad

Incorrect length

Ignoring the horse's reactions

The saddle pad is an essential element of riding equipment that directly affects the comfort and safety of both horse and rider. A properly selected, adjusted and maintained saddle pad ensures saddle stability without pain or restriction of movement.