Stud Girth vs.Regular

[AlterStrength]

Ok - so i'm clueless here.. :LOL:

I need a new girth - and i have people saying that the Stud girth (is that just a girth with a bell guard??) is the way to go... but i mean a girth is a girth right??

Which would you pick?

Its a toss up between the Devoucoux Allure girth with Snap hook and the Short girth with Belly guard. I tried to post a link but it didn't work.

Any thoughts? Am i just wasting my money??

[Ajierene]

Well....do you use studs? If I used studs, I would use a girth with a stud guard, just to be on the safe size. If not, then it would be a waste of money - unless you were planning on starting to use studs within say, the next year.

Of course you could buy one of each and help stimulate the economy....

[AlterStrength]

Ironically i just tried to log into the Devoucoux website - Phillip Dutton - devoucoux actually and it says that the server is down.. grr... not what i am was hoping for especially after the other thread about the Saddle incident.

[takethestage]

I think they're a bit of a waste of money even if you are using studs. Think of how most horses tuck their knees when jumping, it's nowhere near the vicinity of the stud guard. If I had a horse that tucked its knees under like that, well, they wouldn't be doing anything that needed studs! Plenty of people compete at all levels, with studs, without stud guards. Just my $0.02!

[bornfreenowexpensive]

I think they're a bit of a waste of money even if you are using studs.


I agree. There is a SIGNIFICANT difference in price. I have been eventing for over 15 years....using studs....and never needed "stud" guard or belly guard on my girth. I now have one horse...and maybe two...whose jumping styles do seem that it would be worth getting one...very tight with how they tuck. Most horses do not need one....and even on my horses who do have the style to need one....it is only really needed when we are jumping the bigger fences (3'6"+).

Ask your trainer if you need one...they are in the best position to tell you if your horse has the jumping style where one might be needed and not a waste of money.

[Come Shine]

If you are concerned about cost and necessity, it's a lot cheaper to buy a regular girth and a separate belly guard. My mare started being a bit standoffish to the fences and it turned out she was corking herself every time she jumped. The belly guard really helped.

[AlterStrength]

Got the question in to the trainer... :)

So we shall see what they say.

TIA!

[caevent]

I'm sorry, I've never seen a horse hit themselves in the belly with their studs. In the elbow, yes, but belly? Who jumps like that? Not necessary, imo.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

I'm sorry, I've never seen a horse hit themselves in the belly with their studs. In the elbow, yes, but belly? Who jumps like that? Not necessary, imo.


I have...it is the mechanics of how they tuck their legs...they do not KEEP their hooves on their belly but snap they up there before they bring their knees up. It is a very quick movement. I have seen more clock their elbows but there isn't anything you can do to protect that.

I've known several high level jumpers like this...not many event horses...and typically only over bigger fences...especially from the deep distance.

[Gry2Yng]

Event horses don't seem to have much trouble with catching their bellies. It is more common in show jumpers and then only over big fences. That being said, a PP solved a problem by using one. Chance are that you don't need it.

I know of one event horse that caught his front shoes in his breastplate. All turned out fine, but YIKES!

[Evntr4Life]

maybe u should be a but more specific in what you are doing, like what level of eventing? are u using studs? that sort of thing.

honestly, don't fix something that's not broken, does ur horse have incredibly tight, snappy knees over fences?

if not, don't worry about it. :)

[AlterStrength]

I'm a LL smurf.. :lol: But i think the "stud girth" is more of an up-sale technique than a practicality thing. Knowledge is power right!?!

My horse has very tight snappy knees... but i dont think and my trainer doesn't think she'll need all that "stuff" under his belly. I have one of the good ole guys who will really have to work in dressage but can gallop/jump anything w/ease... :)

[Come Shine]

If your horse wears studs, it's easy enough to tell if you need a belly guard from the holes they punch in the girth. :)

[Bobthehorse]

I dont think most horses actually need them. IF the horse is corking themselves in the belly, wouldnt it be further forward, like where ALL girths go, instead of way back where stud girths cover? They cost wayyy more money, and honestly I find them just pretentious looking in most situations. Just one of those things people seem to think they need to fit in or some crap.

[yellowbritches]

Actually, this is kinda the reason we DIDN'T get one. Our NZ horse wore a stud guard in NZ when competing and, by the way he jumps, I could totally see the reasoning. However, it is just one more piece of equipment to get hung up in, and it DOES happen. Unless your horse is routinely clocking himself in the belly and leaving stud marks all over himself, I wouldn't bother. Very expensive (often double the price), one more piece of tack to clean, and one more thing that risks getting hung up.