A girth is necessary to keep the saddle in place optimally. The girth goes under the belly of your horse. You will understand that a girth must fit well, so that your horse is not hindered in its movement.
Nowadays there are many different types of girths. Both the material and the shape of the girth can differ per girth. We have neoprene girths, but also leather girths, in our assortment. A girth can also be covered with fur for sensitive horses.
The most important thing to know when buying a new girth is whether your saddle has long or short girth straps. Dressage saddles and eventing saddles usually have long girth straps. Jumping saddles and all-purpose saddles usually have short girth straps. A saddle with long girth straps therefore needs a shorter girth than a saddle with short girth straps. For horses, a jumping girth is often between 115 and 145 centimeters, while a dressage girth is 'only' between 45 and 75 centimeters.
Neoprene webbing
A neoprene girth is usually cheap to purchase and easy to maintain.
Leather girth
A leather girth lasts longer than a neoprene girth. When leather gets warm it forms, which is comfortable for the horse. Leather is sensitive to sweat, so the girth must be maintained with leather grease to prevent it from drying out.
Anatomical girths
These girths provide more freedom of movement. Most horses will find an anatomical girth more comfortable than a straight one. Horses with girth wounds in the armpit can benefit from an anatomical girth.
Single with belly flap
Girths with a belly flap provide extra protection during jumping. When the horse folds its legs, the hooves can come against the girth, instead of against the belly.
Single extender
Is your horse pregnant (or has been pregnant), has he had an injury or maybe just a nice holiday from training? Then it can happen that your girth has become too short. Instead of buying a new girth, a girth extender can offer a solution! When your horse is back in shape, put your girth extender back in the closet.
“A girth must fit properly so that your horse's movement is not hindered.”
– Team Divoza
Frequently Asked Questions about Singles
Which way should the bow of an anatomical girth face?
The arch should lie between the forelegs, giving the horse more freedom of movement by creating space behind the armpit.
Why are there sometimes rings on the girth?
These are there to attach auxiliary reins.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of elastic?
A girth with elastic has a number of advantages and disadvantages. With elastic you can tighten the girth more easily and your horse has more room to breathe, because the elastic moves with the inhalation and exhalation of the rib cage.
However, you can also easily tighten a girth with elastic too tightly. A girth with elastic on one side will also make your saddle slide more easily.
Popular singles
