[Lindsayanne]

I was also told the average woman doesn't have the strength to overtighten a girth. So don't worry.

[Reitpferde]

Originally Posted by Lindsayanne

I was also told the average woman doesn't have the strength to overtighten a girth. So don't worry.

HEY!!! We on here are NOT average!!!

[JBandRio]

IMNSHO, you should alternate the side on which you put the elastic. When you tighten for the final time(s), it's done on the elastic side. Over time, if you always do that one one side or the other, you will unevenly stretch out those billets (on the saddle), weakening them.

This becomes especially important if you are always on, say, the 3rd hole on one side and the 4th on the other. By alternating sides,you are on hole 3 on one side one day, 4 the next, and vice versa on the other side. This further prolongs the life of your billet. Obviously, this part doesn't come into play if your fully tightened girth is on the same # hole on both sides.

It is actually very easy, and more common than you might think, to overtighten the girth. Too many people think they have to really crank it tight, and that's just asking for sore muscles between the horse's legs. Yes, right there at the bottom are muscles, it's not just skin and bones

[mytega]

Oh, but a very average person can over-tighten a western saddle. I was at a horse camp when I was maybe 12 or 13 years old. I had a QH mare that I was going to take a lesson on, and we had to wait until an instructor came to help us mount. I was so nervous about pulling the saddle over when I mounted (from the ground) that I kept tugging the cinch tighter, just a bit at a time, while I waited for my turn to mount. And by that time, I had it very tight. When I put my foot in the stirrup and added that bit of pressure, she went down on her knees. So, I should have been less worried about pulling the saddle over and more worried about pulling the horse over! I was scared to death when it happened, but there was no harm done, so I can chalk that up to a learning experience. And now I own a 3-step mounting block!

[horseyfrk145]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

IMNSHO, you should alternate the side on which you put the elastic. When you tighten for the final time(s), it's done on the elastic side. Over time, if you always do that one one side or the other, you will unevenly stretch out those billets (on the saddle), weakening them.

This becomes especially important if you are always on, say, the 3rd hole on one side and the 4th on the other. By alternating sides,you are on hole 3 on one side one day, 4 the next, and vice versa on the other side. This further prolongs the life of your billet. Obviously, this part doesn't come into play if your fully tightened girth is on the same # hole on both sides.

It is actually very easy, and more common than you might think, to overtighten the girth. Too many people think they have to really crank it tight, and that's just asking for sore muscles between the horse's legs. Yes, right there at the bottom are muscles, it's not just skin and bones

As usual Jordana, you're making me think! And what you say (again, as usual!) makes a lot of sense.

But I do have to ask...what in the world does IMNSHO mean?

[I Love BODIE!]

Like Becca, I agree with JBandRio (and I *think* IMNSHO means "In My Not So Honest Opinion" as that's the only thing I can think of that will fit )

[horseyfrk145]

Originally Posted by I Love BODIE!

Like Becca, I agree with JBandRio (and I *think* IMNSHO means "In My Not So Honest Opinion" as that's the only thing I can think of that will fit )

HAHA That would be pretty funny if that's actually what it meant!!

[APatchOfHeaven]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

IMNSHO, you should alternate the side on which you put the elastic. When you tighten for the final time(s), it's done on the elastic side. Over time, if you always do that one one side or the other, you will unevenly stretch out those billets (on the saddle), weakening them.

This becomes especially important if you are always on, say, the 3rd hole on one side and the 4th on the other. By alternating sides,you are on hole 3 on one side one day, 4 the next, and vice versa on the other side. This further prolongs the life of your billet. Obviously, this part doesn't come into play if your fully tightened girth is on the same # hole on both sides.

It is actually very easy, and more common than you might think, to overtighten the girth. Too many people think they have to really crank it tight, and that's just asking for sore muscles between the horse's legs. Yes, right there at the bottom are muscles, it's not just skin and bones

I have a girth with elastic on one side and I always put it on 3 and 3 on each side. It really bothers me when he gets used in lessons and SOMEHOW they manage to get it to the 4th or 5th hole on the non-elastic side (my poor pony) and probably the 4th or 5th on the elastic side as well. IMO, if I can get on him from the ground when it is on 3 & 3 without the saddle moving, it's tight enough.

[Rhythm 'n Blues]

^^ APatchOfHeaven - I would come to the conclusion that if you can get on from the ground with the girth on hole 3 & 3 that it's tight enough. I can tell you that I have mounted a medium pony from the ground with NO girth on a saddle, and the saddle didn't budge! I also mounted a 15.3hh horse from the ground, with a girth that someone could put their entire arm through it was so loose - that saddle didn't budge either, and I realized it once I started troting! (FYI I didn't take that horse up) It's all about where you put your weight and the way you mount.

I have been told serveral times by saddle fitters that you want your girth as tight as possible. I don't always listen to that rule, it depends on how the saddle sits and fits the horse really (FYI I don't have a 100% fitted saddle on any horse I ride b/c they are clients' horses with their own tack). But I have never had a horse fall to their knees or seem in any kind of pain from the saddle being to tight.