HORSE GIRTH PP HORSE GIRTH HORSE TACK HORSE GIRTH EQUESTRIAN HORSE GIRTH DRESSAGE HORSE GIRTH EQUESTRIAN WHOLESALE HORSE GIRTH
USD $6 - $12 /Piece
Min.Order:50 Pieces
Suichang Jingding Casting Co., Ltd.
DESCRIPTION
PP HORSE GIRTH:
Horse girth buying guide
A girth is a strap that is part of the billet system that holds a saddle on a horse. Also called
a cinch on Western saddles, the girth wraps around a horse’s belly. This rigging system, the
billets and girth, seeks to eliminate discomfort in the horse and ensure a stable and balanced
position for the rider. The girth, made of various materials, is a strong, breathable, and non-slip
pad. It fastens with buckles to either side of the saddle, underneath the stirrup flap. Before
purchasing a girth, buyers should know how a girth works, the materials used to make girths,
various types of girths, as well as the options and accessories available.
What to Know Before Shopping for a Girth
The most important aspect of the girth is that it fits the horse well. Every horse is different, so
the girth needs to work well with the saddle to fit the horse’s body. The girth is designed to
move with the horse and distribute pressure evenly. The girth is wide, so it does not pinch the
horse. It should be smooth and without bumps or sharp finishing that would irritate the horse’s
sensitive skin. A good quality girth should not even rub the horse’s hair the wrong way and
create sores.Girths are sold by size. If it is correctly sized, the girth will buckle on each side into
the billet holes. At least two billet holes should come out of the front of the buckle with at least
one extra hole in the back, in case the saddle needs to be loosened. If the girth is too short, a
girth extender can increase the length. Consumers looking for a longer girth may be able to use
the girth extender instead.Different girths are better suited to certain activities. An owner
might have several girths, a heavy-duty training girth, or a stylish performance girth. One
girth’s appearance may be favored over another for competition, schooling, or pleasure riding.
Different saddles have slightly different billet strap lengths, so a different girth may be needed
for every saddle.Horses have sensitive skin, so girths have optional padding to reduce friction.
Padding options include sheepskinor gel inserts. Porous materials allow moisture to be wicked
from the horse, which reduces friction. Girths are made from leather or strong synthetic
materials with different style buckles at the end, including optional elastic. Consumers looking ,
for girths can choose the length of the strap, the material it is made from, and whether or not it
has elastic at the end. After that, buyers can choose from styling and colors.
Choosing the Right English Girth
When choosing girths, consumers should expect the girth to have two buckles for English and
Australian saddles. While saddles come with two or three fastening points, only two are used
with the girth. Minimizing side-to-side movement and front-to-rear slippage is the objective:
girthing strategically allows the load to be distributed evenly.The three-billet system allows
the rider to choose two out of three fastening points for better girth placement, and the third
can also be used as a backup in case one billet breaks. A growing and popular option is the
two-billet V system. Two billets descend at an angle like a V shape. Some riders prefer this
rigging due to the improved positioning over the horse’s ribs. The angle sets it apart from the
three-billet system, where the billets hang straight down. Consumers should assume that an
English saddle has three billets unless the manufacturer specifies that it is a V-billet system.
Girth Variations and Options
The girth itself is about three inches wide along most of its length. It is strong, made with
durable materials and hardware, and sized by length in inches. The girth varies in length,
by attachment methods, in styling, in function, and in materials. It is important for buyers
to know the variations and options in these areas in order to make the right choice.
The Dressage Saddle
Depending on the activity, an English horse is saddled with a hunt seat or a dressage seat.
Hunter/jumper saddles need longer girths than the dressage saddle as the saddle fastening
point is placed higher up on all the English saddles except for the dressage saddle. The
dressage saddle has longer billets and needs a shorter girth. If the horse’s girth is known,
add or subtract 20 inches to make the girth fit. For instance, if the girth for the dressage
saddle was 28 inches, the girth for the hunt saddle would be 48 inches.
Split Ends
The split end girth splits at the end into two one-inch-wide strips. The split end girth pulls
on the billets with equal tension, which allows for a more flexible attachment strategy and
makes tightening easier with equal girth pressure.
Elastic
Optionally, the buckles on one or both ends may connect to a short piece of elastic. The elastic
designmakes it easier to tighten the girth while also allowing for flexibility to accommodate
the expansion and contraction of the horse’s rib cage. Girths are available with double or
triple layer elastic that provides a stronger attachment. The elastic ends are seen mostly in
newer style girths, with at least one side of the girth having elastic. Alternatively, the girth
itself may be constructed with built–in elastic panels.
Contour Girth
The contoured style girths have are curved and shaped along the length. The strap is wider
in the middle to provide a broad pad under the belly, but tapers off near the horse’s elbows,
so its legs do not rub against it. Alternatively, the girth may have contouring in the middle,
with a one-inch strip of leather running the length, surrounded on either side by a more flexible
material like neoprene.
Overlay Girths
An overlay girth is used as a second strap. This type of girth is also wide, supple, and well
padded. The strap goes right over top of the saddle as an extra fastening point. The overlay,
also known as a surcingle, is much longer than the girth. The overlay is optionally fitted with
rings to pass reins through on either side. The surcingle, without a saddle, is placed just behind
the horse’s elbow. With the saddle, it goes over the front of the saddle. The surcingle can also
be used with pack saddles.
Cross Country Girth
The cross country girth is wide along its whole length and made from a strong material like
leather. This is more suited for long, slow riding as it more comfortable for the horse. This style
is often used with an overlay girth. It may come with straps to thread the overlay girth through.
Belly Guard
Jumping horses tuck their hooves tight to their bellies when they jump, often hitting their stomachs
with their hooves. Belly guard girths come with optional breastplates made of hard materials like
leather. The breastplate is oblong in shape, resembling a shield.
Girth Sizing
Sizing the girth is easy. Find a soft tape measure and put the saddle on the horse. Put the beginning
of the tape measure in the middle hole of the billet. Have someone on the otherside of the horse measure
up to the middle billet hole on that side. The measurement in inches is the girth size.
Sizes come in 18 to 60 inches.