Is my girth in the right position?
The saddle puts us in the driving seat when we go out for a jump or a hack and ensures comfort for our horses. Yet, for such a key part of our kit many know relatively little about them, besides the importance of keeping them in mint condition.
Now’s the time to learn more!
We were proud to produce a video in partnership with the FEI, Han Equestrian and Amanda Ross to help you to understand where your girth should be, how long it should be and how firmly it should be buckled.
Click on any of the images or this link to be taken to the video on the FEI website.
Where should I be positioning my girth?
"The horse's conformation will have a certain place where the girth is going to naturally go, and that's called the Girth Groove" explains Amanda.
"With my own horse Peach, my eye wants my girth to go there, but I find it just comes forward a slight bit", commented Han.
Amanda reassures Han that "that's totally normal! The girth wants to sit in the position of least pressure... so that's just going with her natural shape".
A girth can be too loose (oops!), but can it be too tight?
Amanda and Han continue on to discuss how to check for the perfect girth tension, to make sure that your saddle is secure, while your horse remains comfortable and able to move freely.
How long should my girth be?
Your girth should never be interfering with your horse, or with your leg.
"When I have a long point saddle, I want to make sure the girth is not directly behind the horse's elbow... or sitting under your foot" explained Amanda.
"My jumping saddles have short points, and there's an area behind my knee and that's the perfect spot to have your buckles."
About Amanda Ross
Amanda is an international eventer who has seen it all and is passionate about sharing her knowledge.
Based on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia, Amanda has been riding since her humble Pony Club days to the Olympic Games and has always found her passion and purpose in living a lifestyle with horses.
In addition to a life of eventing, Amanda dabbled in showing as a kid, did a few seasons of FEI dressage, and then more recently, has turned her focus to show jumping, placing in her first World Cup!
Love the products in this video?
Find out more about each here:
- Bates Artiste dressage saddle (main saddle shown)
- Bates Victrix jump saddle
- Bates Saddle Pad (shown with dressage saddle)
- Bates Webbers in Luxe Leather (shown on dressage saddle)
- Bates Stirrup Leathers (shown on jump saddle)
