Girth Rubbing?

[unicorndanca]

Do anti gall girths really work and what about those sheepskin covers to slip on girths? I'm wondering whether I should buy one as I've noticed after someone rode him last that he had rub marks where the skin must of been wrinkled under the girth. Doesn't look sore but it looks as if the hair has rubbed off where it may have been wrinkled/pinched. I usually stretch his legs out after doing up girth and it has never happened before.

[KarinUS]

I've seen a horse bleed even with the sheepskin cover. :( Girth rubbing really upsets me...
The thing that worked best in my experience is to pull on the front legs to get rid of the wrinkles after tacking up and before mounting. Have you tried that yet?

[unicorndanca]

Yes I think I mentioned stretching his legs after I do up girth:D

[KarinUS]

Oh, helloooooo! Sorry about that (still asleep.... :o) I just read sheepskin and got flash backs... so I stopped reading and started typing...
I should have paid better attention. My guess is that the other person just didn't stretch his legs (I understand someone other than yourself rode him last, correct?)
So you probably should just show them how you do it, so they can do it right next time...

:)

[nix]

I haven't had probs with girth rubs, but my saddler usually recommends prolite girth sleeves as the best thing to avoid them. I've seen sheepskin ones used and seem useless as soon as they get wet and/or sweaty.

I use a T'good shaped "breathable" synthetic girth and never had a prob with it.

[elle]

i just always make sure i stretch the horses legs out in front of it, the ppl at work always say 'o theres no need to do that' but i always do cus it was what i was taught when i was young.

[Shiny McShine]

I used to ride a pony that had very soft skin and I always made a point of stretching her legs as I would with any horse. I also tried a sheepskin cover which I found picked up burs and prickles which were hard to spot so I decided not to use it.

Using an anti-gall girth was the best although she still occasionally got rubbed as she had very sensitive skin. I found that it took a while for her to toughen up. The best way is to stop riding as soon as you suspect your horse is liable to rub. At least with horses that are very sensitive. Otherwise stretching is the best idea.:)

[happyhorse]

My horse has very sensitive skin and i use sheep skin sleeves and they work very well, the trick is to have more than one sleeve and then you can keep rotating them so that they don't get dirty and rub.

[lamprellsarah]

i don't like the girth sleeve as i find they wrinkle up and cause more probs than they solve i tend to use a elasicated atherstone one that i find reduce rubbing full stop!!!
but my mare skin around here although sensitive to her, shows no signs of pinching or rubbing!!! :)

[happyhorse]

i think its a case of finding out what works for you and using that option. What works for one person and thier horse may not work for another.

hope you find the right solution that works for you.