Girth Straps and Girthing Options on English Saddles

The way an English saddle is secured, or girthed, to the horse significantly impacts the horse's comfort, movement and the stability of the saddle. Modern saddles offer various strapping options each with potential benefits and drawbacks. Understanding these is crucial for proper saddle fitting and horse welfare.

Standard Girthing (Neutral)

The neutral or standard girthing typically uses the first and third billet straps (girth straps) counting from the front.

• Safety Feature: Historically, these two straps were often attached to separate webs within the saddle structure. This design acted as a safety feature; if one web were to snap, the other, being separate, would remain intact and theoretically prevent the saddle from falling off completely.

• Purpose: This configuration is designed to evenly distribute the pressure and offer a secure hold around the girth area.

Specialist Girthing Options

Many saddles incorporate additional straps to address specific fitting challenges, although their use requires careful consideration.

The Point Strap

The point strap is located closer to the front of the saddle, on the tree's point.

• Benefit: Its primary function is to help prevent the saddle from running forward onto the shoulders.

• Caution: Using the point strap increases pressure behind the horse's shoulders, which can restrict movement. For this reason, it is generally recommended to avoid using it as the sole means of girthing. If used, it should be done in conjunction with balance straps to mitigate the increased front pressure and stop the rear of the saddle from pivoting or bouncing.

The Balance Strap

The balance strap is the most rearward girth strap, often attaching further back on the panel.

• Use on Both Sides: When used on both sides, balance straps are effective for stabilising saddles on round or overweight horses where rolling or side-to-side movement is a concern. They provide additional rear anchorage preventing the saddle from rocking.

• Use on One Side (Cautionary): Using a balance strap on only one side is sometimes employed as a temporary solution for saddles that persistently slip to the other side. However, this practice requires close monitoring as it can introduce its own problems.

A Note on Asymmetrical Girthing and Slipping Saddles

Asymmetrical girthing, which involves securing the saddle using different straps on the left and right sides (e.g., using a balance strap on one side only), should generally be avoided.

• Risk of Further Asymmetry: This practice will pull the saddle to one side, potentially jamming the horse's shoulder or causing an uneven pressure distribution.

• Structural Damage: Over time, consistent asymmetrical tension can lead to a twisted tree or warped panels in the saddle, compromising its fit and function.

• Underlying Issues: A saddle that persistently slips, even with temporary fixes like single-sided balance straps, often indicates a more serious underlying issue, such as equine lameness or significant asymmetry in the horse's musculature, which needs professional assessment and resolution before trying to fix the symptom with creative girthing.

Key Takeaway

Understanding the implications of different girthing options is vital. For any persistent saddle fitting issues or before making changes to your girthing setup, it is strongly recommended to consult an IASF (International Association of Saddle Fitters) certified saddle fitter. A professional fitter can correctly assess the horse-saddle dynamic and advise on the safest and most effective solution.