do the buckles on dressage girths touch the horses skin?
I want a dressage saddle but all the girth i see don’t look right. some have a leather overhang that makes sure the buckles don’t touch some are made out of cotton and the buckles look like they would touch. can any one inform me about what kind is best and what is standered size and all that stuff.
thanks
Dressage saddles and girths were made to be so that the buckles are lower down and do not interfere with the rider’s leg. As a result, the girths usually have (And should have) a flap of material between the buckles and the horse’s skin. If it doesn’t, I would’t use it- I’ve never seen a dressage girth used that doesn’t have them. If you do end up with one like that, I’d get (Or make- it’s basically just a tube) a girth cover. Make it a little long, so you can pull it up over the buckles. That should protect the horse from rubs or getting pinched sufficiently
If you can, get something leather. It should match your saddle in color. If you get neoprene or something, keep in mind that some horses (Like mine) are allergic to it, so you want to make sure yours isn’t be fore you buy. Get one in good repair- As for sizing, I can’t tell you. Here’s a little chart that is an extreme GUIDELINE. A 15 hand Arab has ha different body type than a 15 hand Draft cross, and a chubby horse will need a larger girth than those said on these charts: http://www.saddleshop.com/extras/conversion_girth.htm It would be best to borrow a friends girth, or perhaps a trainer’s, to see what size fits your horse, especially if you are buying online.
this is what i use:
http://www.horsetackinternatio.....-girth.jpg
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No they shouldn’t touch the skin. The girth should have an over hang that goes past the buckles to guard it from the skin and pinching. It should go straight from billets to girth flap.
References :
Dressage saddles and girths were made to be so that the buckles are lower down and do not interfere with the rider’s leg. As a result, the girths usually have (And should have) a flap of material between the buckles and the horse’s skin. If it doesn’t, I would’t use it- I’ve never seen a dressage girth used that doesn’t have them. If you do end up with one like that, I’d get (Or make- it’s basically just a tube) a girth cover. Make it a little long, so you can pull it up over the buckles. That should protect the horse from rubs or getting pinched sufficiently
If you can, get something leather. It should match your saddle in color. If you get neoprene or something, keep in mind that some horses (Like mine) are allergic to it, so you want to make sure yours isn’t be fore you buy. Get one in good repair- As for sizing, I can’t tell you. Here’s a little chart that is an extreme GUIDELINE. A 15 hand Arab has ha different body type than a 15 hand Draft cross, and a chubby horse will need a larger girth than those said on these charts: http://www.saddleshop.com/extr....._girth.htm It would be best to borrow a friends girth, or perhaps a trainer’s, to see what size fits your horse, especially if you are buying online.
References :
I think you are referring to a Mohair girth.
But no the buckles shouldn’t touch the skin. Go to
http://www.horseloverz.com
http://www.equishopper.com
…to find some good dressage girths.
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