Western Girths

What type of girth is there for Western riders?

On the left side of the Western saddle, at the girth fittings (rigging ring) under the fenders, there is the tie-strap - a long, wide leather or nylon strap that is used to buckle the Western girth. On the right side, the girth is attached to the saddle with the off billet. Now there are different ways to attach the tie-strap and buckle the girth.
For the C-ring girth, proceed as follows:

• Put the tie-strap through the girth ring.
• Pull the tie-strap upwards once and through the rigging ring of the saddle.
• Pull the tie-strap a second time through the ring of the girth and put the pin of the girth through one of the holes of the tie-strap.
• Pull the protruding end of the tie-strap through the tab of the tie-strap holder and secure it.

With this version, only one girth position is possible.
The V-shaped girth provides more variation and also a calmer saddle position. This is done in the same way as with the C-ring girth. However, instead of one rigging ring, a second one is added. Both rigging rings are placed directly behind each other. After girthing, the tie strap forms a V, which is where the name of this type of girth comes from.
A back cinch can be added to the Western saddle for extra support. This is a second girth that runs parallel to the actual belly girth. It prevents the saddle from sliding back and forth or flapping on the horse's loins, especially in fast-paced Western disciplines.

What is the pressure distribution of a Western girth or crescent girth?

The pressure distribution of the Western girth depends on its shape. In general, the wider the girth, the better it distributes the pressure over the sternum. Logically, the narrower the girth, the more localised the pressure. However, the individual conformation of the horse should be taken into account. Some horses have a small girth area, so that an extremely wide or straight cut Western girth can press uncomfortably on the ribcage or the organs. For these individual cases there are different Western girth shapes, which you can also buy in our online shop. Crescent girths in particular offer a large contact surface and thus a very good distribution of pressure in the area of the sternum. They are especially suitable for round horses. Nevertheless, each horse should be looked at individually - a crescent girth is not the ideal solution for every horse with a large belly.
Measurements have shown that the highest pressure peaks occur in the area of the buckles. Therefore, when choosing a girth, make sure that the buckles do not rest in the elbow's range of movement after girthing. For Western girths, the buckles should end about 15 cm below the rigging rings.

What should I look for in a Western girth?

Like the Western saddle itself, the Western girth must fit the horse perfectly. It is a commodity that can quickly pinch the horse or cause chafing. To ensure that the horse has sufficient freedom of movement in the elbow area, pay attention to the following points with the Western girth:

• The Western girth fits correctly when the ends are the same height on both sides after girthing.
• The girth must not be too short, otherwise its buckles will squeeze the horse's elbow areas.
• The girth must not be too long, otherwise the buckles will press on the overlying muscles.
• The girth sits correctly when its buckles are about 15cm below the rigging rings.
• Do not tighten the girth too much immediately, but gradually so that the horse can get used to the pressure.

In the Kramer Equestrian online shop you have a wide selection of Western girths that are suitable for different types of builds and disciplines. Some styles are equipped with soft sheepskin or teddy fleece to make wearing the girth even more comfortable for the horse. In our Western saddle accessories you will also find matching off billets or tie straps with which you can fasten your Western girth.

Which Western girth is suitable for my horse?

Which Western girth is suitable for your horse depends on the shape of its body or rump. There are different types of girths:

• Anatomical Western girth: For horses with a pronounced girth area. Creates elbow freedom by cutting back on both sides and does not press on the ribs. Suitable for a wide range of horses.
• Asymmetrical Western girth: For horses with a slightly pronounced girth area. Is cut back considerably on one side and thus creates a lot of elbow room.
• Crescent Western girth: Curved girth that works well on round horses with short backs and can prevent the girth from slipping forward.
• Roper girth: Very wide girth at the sternum, which distributes the pressure over a large area. Not only popular for roping, but also for riding through mountainous terrain, as it prevents the saddle from slipping.
• Straight cut Western girth: Standard girth popular with slim horses with a straight rib cage.

Also make sure that the Western girth is the correct length. After buckling, the buckles must not restrict the range of movement of the elbow, pinch skin folds or cause obvious chafing. To measure the length of the girth, take an existing Western girth that fits and measure it from the buckle of one girth ring to the buckle of the other girth ring. If you want to buy a Western girth with sheepskin as a follow-up version, add 5cm to the measurement result. The plush fur is bulky.
If you want to buy a new Western girth, measure the circumference of the belly from the lower edge of the rigging ring to the lower edge of the other rigging ring. Subtract 30cm from the measurement. Round this result up to the next girth length and you will get the right length for your horse.
Our Western girths from STONEDEEK are available in a variety of lengths and shapes. At Kramer Equestrian you will find the all-round girths, anatomical Western girths that fit many types of horses, as well as straight cut or crescent-shaped Western girths.