Horse dislikes being girthed

[DITZ]

Over the last few weeks my horse has become more and more distressed when I do up his girth. I have had him 18 months now and he has always swished his tail or lifted his leg to kick (never ever has done though) and I have put this down to him being maybe ticklish or just temperamental. I use a humane girth and do it up ever so slowly, one hole at a time.

Recently though he has started to pin his ears back and bring his head round to me as though he is waiting to bite me. Again, he never has done as I just push his head away.

I have had some saddle problems recently and was wondering if everyone thought that this was just connected or if it was something else I should be worried about. Saddler is coming on Monday so and end is in sight. Hurrah!

Let me know your thoughts.

[Mehitabel]

definitely sounds saddle-related.

[kyanya]

Have you noticed a change in his shape recently?

[Yann]

I'd agree it could well be the saddle, given the problems you've been having. However it isn't always the case, particuarly with mares. Bad associations from previous tack can also be a factor.

[DITZ]

Yes my initial thought was that it was just because of his current tack problems but then I started to worry that I wasnt worrying enough if you know what I mean!

Fingers crossed it should all be sorted tomorrow. Am hoping above all hope that the saddle just wants reflocking and she doesnt tell me that I need a new saddle, especially after my £1200 tax bill!

[kathyt1]

Can anyone give me an opinion on just how good humane girths are?

[Ryoko]

i have heard humane girths are the best thing u can buy for your horse.. i dont own one i have one with elastic on one end and cracker doesnt have a problem with that. do u think u have the girth too close to his armpit (is that what its called?) and that is is pinching? try lifting his front legs up after u have done the girth to get rid of anything that may be pinching. other than that i think it could be saddle related. keep us posted and good luck :D

[Yann]

The only difference with a humane girth is that the two buckles are linked ingeniously so the pressure is always balanced between the two. This means that you can effectively go up half a hole at a time (doing up alternate buckles) and that the doing up process is very smooth. It also evens out the pressure if your girth tends to sit at an angle. They can be overtightened though, and the webbing is relatively narrow compared to many other girths that are currently available.

[kedwards]

I hope the saddler finds an answer for you. I agree that the saddle fit sounds like the most likely scenario if you haven't otherwise changed anything. That would certainly be the simplest answer.

[paint_horse]

When i use to go riding a while back there was a horse who disliked having his girth up, the saddler said it wasnt the saddle it was just something this horse had. To solve this problem they had to walk him up and down and do the girth up while he was walking(with out the person on him!!) when it was done up he was fine its some kind of phobia tot his horse! Maybe it is to yours??

hope i helped

my msn is:

BoSelcta118@hotmail.com

[DITZ]

painthorse I've had another thought as to what it might be after your post. My horse is a cribber and usually cribs on his lead rope when tied up and I have recently stopped tying him up and used a chain instead (kept gnawing through the lead ropes) which he can't crib on. It could well be that cribbing was taking his mind off the girthing. I used the lead rope again today and he didnt bother again.

[DITZ]

I really like them, they are easy to do up and seem comfortable. The only thing I dislike about them is that they have a design flaw on them in my opinion. They start of the webbing is about 5-6 inches from the buckles which means that it often gets caught on the edge of the saddle pad when you tighten the girth up whilst on board. You have to then lean right down and fiddle about with it to get to lie over the saddle cloth.

[Wally]

What a strange thing for the saddler to say, that the horse was displaying dislike for the heck of it.

Horses do things for a reason, something must have started his dislike of the girth being done up.

[Remmy]

Hi Ditz,

A couple of things to consider with any girthing issue -

If your saddle has lumps and bumps under the panels then as you girth, they will pull down into the back. When you climb on board they will push in even further.

If it is tight across the wither then it will squeeze the wither area and restrict movement... and make it sore.

Also if the tree is too narrow, it may be putting excess pressure of the back of the panel and lifting through the middle.

Just for the record, I really don't like humane girths as I feel that the buckle focuses an area of pressure and many are also made from a soft material which has parallel stiched lines. When tigthen they will fold/bend slightly into the skin giving an effect of a much thinner/narrower girth.

However, girths that I do like are the Stubben Trivera (string), Wintec Elastic as the elastic is inside the girth sleeve and in the middle, Lampwick girths and broad flat leather girths. I do not personally agree with elastic inserts at one end either!

Ditz, where abouts are you? If you would like any independant advice then I can put you in touch with some well recommended people who won't try and sell you a new saddle and might just be able to sort out your existing one.

[Ryoko]

" I do not personally agree with elastic inserts at one end either!" Remmy

i use one of those all the time and i have no complaints. i tried it on my 4 year old and he had no problems with it and i use it permenantly with my 9yr old who doesnt mind me girthing him up with it and it causes no problems. it actually helps alot when he puts weight on in the summer (he notorious for that) so that i can stretch it up and reach the straps on the other side. i also feel it give a bit more and it doesnt squash his chest. in one of the issues of Your Horse it was voted as the best girth to use (out of a selected amount) so i have to disagree there and tell u that i think they are brilliant girths :D

[AJB]

I have a wintec gel girth with elastic end and its great....just always be careful not to over tighten any girth but especially the eleastic end ones...DITZ make sure you put the girth on only the loosest hole when girthing up and then increase gradually...n I shudder when I see people yank up a girth and although your careful this may have been whats happened in the past to make him remember and swish tail, ears back etc...I also pull the leg out eash side to get ride of wrinkles or pinces-if you say leg or lift everytime you will find that in the end the horse does it as soon as you go near!!!...good luck

[Yann]

Remmy, I have already done so:)

[DITZ]

Remmy I could have done with you a couple of weeks ago I have been desperate to get a saddler out but they seem so scare in my are (am thinking of taking it up myself - theres a big gap in the market here!). Fortunately I did manage to get hold of one in the end who's coming out to me this afternoon.

[Remmy]

Good luck Ditz. Hope they find something to fix for you.

If you still have any concerns after your visit then please don't hesitate to PM me if you want to chat it through. I'd be more than happy to help you.

[Laura+Phantom]

As well as changing your saddle it would be a good idea to have your horse's back checked out by a specialist. My pony started gnashing his teeth at me when I went to do up his girth and I found out today when the back lady came that he was in loads of pain :( (his saddle's too narrow aswell incidently)
I agree with Yann, humane girths can be over-tightened, and this is my why I don't like them. I use a jeffries leather atherstone girth.