All about horses

Horses that are “girthy “have not had their girths put on properly .

They will lay their ears back and even snap at the rider with their teeth any may even nip or bite!

This is caused by the person tacking up the horse and trying to get the girth too tight from the ground .

To put on an English style girth or for a jumping or general purpose saddle start by putting the elastic side on the near side of the horse ( that’s the side that you mount on ).

Step 1. Put the the girth on the lowest 2 holes possible .

Leave the middle billet strap free .

Step 2. Go around to the other side and bring the girth up gently so that it is just behind the elbows.

Step 3. Buckle the girth on the first and third billet straps starting with the one closest to the elbow .

( the horse is narrower there)

Pull out toward you then up so that you do not pinch the horse .

Make the girth snug but don’t pull hard .

Step 4. Go back to the near side and try to tighten it one more hole without struggling.

Next mount the horse correctly by hopping up with the foot on ground or mounting block and not by stepping too hard down on the stirrup iron .

Step 5. After mounting, bring your leg forward and lift up the flap , use one hand to tighten the girth the last hole .

This method makes sure that your girth is custom tightened for your weight .

Also it does not pinch the horse when you tighten the last hole while sitting on the horse.

If your horse does have bad manners from being girthed incorrectly he will soon become better when you use this method .

Dressage girths are shorter so you need to tighten them one hole at at time and walk your horse a little more before you try to tighten the next hole .

It should take you 3 or 4 times to get it tight enough .

Ask a ground person to help you check it once your weight is in the saddle .

Older horses might do well if you pull the girth away from the elbows by stretching the forelegs forward one at a time slowly.