Dressage length Girth????? what the heck does that mean?

becdubie · Dressage length Girth????? what the heck does that mean?

I need a new girth for my Blackforest Aspen...... They say that the saddles use Dressage length girths.....
Exactly what does that mean, how do I determine the right size?
Is the length measured from end of buckle to end of buckle?

cokey

Measure from a hands width above your horses elbow underneath the belly to the same point the other side. That's where the buckle of a dressage girth should be..

PasoBaby_CarolU

Forward seat saddles and regular English saddle billets buckle under your thigh. Dressage saddle billets buckle down below your foot, making for less bulk under your leg. The Black Forest saddles billets start at the bottom of the skirt. You can't possibly use a regular girth on them.

I use 22" and 24" girths on my BF and dressage saddles (I have pretty small horses). While my Wintec Endurance English saddle has a 42" girth.

I also like to make sure that the girth I buy has leather behind the buckles so they don't pinch my horse. I have also found with the BF saddle to use minimal elastic or no elastic in the girth. The Wintec girths have so much give, that when you combine them with the padding on the BF, it is very hard to tell if you saddle is tight.

becdubie

Thank you both! English Girths demystified!

I want to find a nice Mohair one like Blackforest sells but at lower price hopefully.