Girth Measurements

kitan · 07-10-2007, 03:57 PM

My instructor was kind enough to let me use her english saddle minus the girth for awhile. How do I measure my horse for an english girth?

AQHA Hunter · 07-11-2007, 10:32 PM

Put the saddle on and measure from the first or second billet hole on one side, to the billet hole on the other side. To give you an idea, my horse is a 16.2 hand TB type and takes a 48 or 50" girth. It also depends on the saddle. The billets on my all-purpose hang down farther than on my jumping saddle, so the AP takes a shorter girth. Hope that helps.

kitan · 07-12-2007, 06:38 PM

Actually thank you, it does help. My portly fellow has a 54inch waist at 14.3hh. Have to have one ordered. Where is the best positioning of the saddle once its on. How do I know its sitting properly?

AQHA Hunter · 07-12-2007, 09:12 PM

Saddle Fitting Guide - Step 1

This should help. Put the saddle on a bit forward, and slide it back until the front of the saddle is not resting on the shoulder blade. The cantle should be even with, or higher than the pommel, depending on the type of saddle. Also, it should not "rock" front to back if you push alternately on the pommel and cantle. There's more to it, but that should get you started.

JBandRio · 07-13-2007, 09:56 AM

I HAVE to see pictures of a 14.3 pony who needs a 54" girth!

Whether you measure from 1st hole to 1st hole, or 2nd, depends somewhat on how long your billets are (if you only have 4 holes, go 1 to 1 but if there are 6+, go 2 to 2), and whether the girth has elastic on one or both ends. For both ends you'll want to measure one size smaller (so hole 1 on one side and hole 2 on the other side).

Dawn · 07-13-2007, 10:36 AM

That does sound like a rather round little pony...If you can get one without ordering it would be much better. So if it doesn't fit, it's just a simple run to exchange it for another size.

Rhythm 'n Blues · 07-14-2007, 03:00 PM

Wait before you go out and buy one.....I have a second hand 58" grith sitting around my house. I will never own anything that big!!! A friend was riding a percheron Canadian cross, and this mare was used in lessons, they weren't using my friends tack, so my coach had to buy a girth this big to fit her! She gave me a box of stuff, and in it was this ginormous girth. I'll sell it really cheap if you're at all interested!

kitan · 07-15-2007, 06:13 AM

I am posting a picture of Pete again. He is my 14.3 fatty. I am taking on his Sire too and he is larger but also a bit taller. Somewhere down the line draft was introduced to these horses. I had an old black mare that was 16.1 and the Sire to Pete is her baby. Shawdow has the draft horse look about him. I will get pictures of him next time I am up at the farm so you can see where Petey has gotten it from.

JBandRio · 07-15-2007, 07:55 AM

I still don't see 54", but he very well could be much wider than a side view would indicate. He's cute though, I like him!

kitan · 07-15-2007, 08:35 AM

Trust me, he is wider than you think or appears from the picture. My instructor got a good laugh when I told her I got him a 48inch cinch. He is actually 56inches. I had to remeasure once I got the saddle sitting properly on his back. Its been good eats for him and little exercise as I have had saddle issues and the tack store seems to be having problems with getting my saddle for me promply.

07-10-2007, 03:57 PM	#1
kitan Full Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 124 Images: 49	Girth Measurements My instructor was kind enough to let me use her english saddle minus the girth for awhile. How do I measure my horse for an english girth?

07-11-2007, 10:32 PM	#2
AQHA Hunter Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,880 Images: 95	Put the saddle on and measure from the first or second billet hole on one side, to the billet hole on the other side. To give you an idea, my horse is a 16.2 hand TB type and takes a 48 or 50" girth. It also depends on the saddle. The billets on my all-purpose hang down farther than on my jumping saddle, so the AP takes a shorter girth. Hope that helps. __________________ Outer Banks (Obie) - 16.3 bay AQHA gelding HHR Tiny Echo - 13.3 bay AHA mare

07-12-2007, 09:12 PM	#4
AQHA Hunter Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,880 Images: 95	Saddle Fitting Guide - Step 1 This should help. Put the saddle on a bit forward, and slide it back until the front of the saddle is not resting on the shoulder blade. The cantle should be even with, or higher than the pommel, depending on the type of saddle. Also, it should not "rock" front to back if you push alternately on the pommel and cantle. There's more to it, but that should get you started. __________________ Outer Banks (Obie) - 16.3 bay AQHA gelding HHR Tiny Echo - 13.3 bay AHA mare

07-13-2007, 09:56 AM	#5
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 21,648 Images: 132 Blog Entries: 12	I HAVE to see pictures of a 14.3 pony who needs a 54" girth! Whether you measure from 1st hole to 1st hole, or 2nd, depends somewhat on how long your billets are (if you only have 4 holes, go 1 to 1 but if there are 6+, go 2 to 2), and whether the girth has elastic on one or both ends. For both ends you'll want to measure one size smaller (so hole 1 on one side and hole 2 on the other side). __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - Rio feels good - he bounced an in-and-out

07-14-2007, 03:00 PM	#7
Rhythm 'n Blues Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,645 Images: 70	Wait before you go out and buy one.....I have a second hand 58" grith sitting around my house. I will never own anything that big!!! A friend was riding a percheron Canadian cross, and this mare was used in lessons, they weren't using my friends tack, so my coach had to buy a girth this big to fit her! She gave me a box of stuff, and in it was this ginormous girth. I'll sell it really cheap if you're at all interested! __________________ Pay equal (if not more) attention to your own self carriage as that of your horse

07-12-2007, 06:38 PM	#3
kitan Full Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 124 Images: 49	Actually thank you, it does help. My portly fellow has a 54inch waist at 14.3hh. Have to have one ordered. Where is the best positioning of the saddle once its on. How do I know its sitting properly?

07-13-2007, 10:36 AM	#6
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,652 Images: 1283	That does sound like a rather round little pony...If you can get one without ordering it would be much better. So if it doesn't fit, it's just a simple run to exchange it for another size.

07-15-2007, 06:13 AM	#8
kitan Full Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 124 Images: 49	I am posting a picture of Pete again. He is my 14.3 fatty. I am taking on his Sire too and he is larger but also a bit taller. Somewhere down the line draft was introduced to these horses. I had an old black mare that was 16.1 and the Sire to Pete is her baby. Shawdow has the draft horse look about him. I will get pictures of him next time I am up at the farm so you can see where Petey has gotten it from.

07-15-2007, 07:55 AM	#9
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 21,648 Images: 132 Blog Entries: 12	I still don't see 54", but he very well could be much wider than a side view would indicate. He's cute though, I like him! __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - Rio feels good - he bounced an in-and-out

07-15-2007, 08:35 AM	#10
kitan Full Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 124 Images: 49	Trust me, he is wider than you think or appears from the picture. My instructor got a good laugh when I told her I got him a 48inch cinch. He is actually 56inches. I had to remeasure once I got the saddle sitting properly on his back. Its been good eats for him and little exercise as I have had saddle issues and the tack store seems to be having problems with getting my saddle for me promply.

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