Missing Piece Bodywork

“SUDDENLY”

“My horse is suddenly girthy. I know you were just here recently, but can you come check my saddle?”

“The saddle you fit last month is suddenly sliding around. Something is wrong; I need you to come back out.”

When I get called out to assess a saddle I’ve seen recently that I know is a good fit, the FIRST question I ask is, “WHAT CHANGED?”

More often than not, a new “kinder” anatomic girth was purchased.

When a girth does not fit the horse’s shape, it gaps (usually between the front legs), and a couple things occur:
1. The gap REDUCES the surface area of the girth. Instead of being 9cm wide, the girth is now 3cm wide. This decreases the stability of the saddle, resulting in saddle slip.
2. The gap moves all the pressure to be focused in the small area it does touch, causing discomfort for the horse. If it gaps in front, the pressure is moved closer to the sensitive cartilage of the xiphoid process.

The vast majority of horses go well in a simple straight girth.

Don’t overcomplicate things.

Feeling good!