Girth Galls

[In_]

Oops (Where is that shame smiley!?) Re-started the pony this week back into work after being off for a long time. Three rides in and he has girth galls. : ((((( They are small and don't seem to bother him yet - but they sure bother me!

I have the Soft-touch girth ( here: http://www.adamshorsesupply.com/browse.cfm/4,7328.html ) where it is squishy and has some sort of neoprene on the inside (but not nearly as sticky as the Professional Choice girths) I got the squishy one becuase it seems like a good idea to me - and the neoprene inside because we do games, which means I hang off his side at a gallop a lot. So - all the extra stick I can get is needed and much appreciated.

Any suggestions? Keep using the girth and his skin will toughen up? He has had a looong time off...or switch to a......

[Lieslot]

First off, I am not saying this is the case with your pony as I totally agree there are certain girths out there not so suitable for the sensitive skinned babies. ;)

However I do wish to share my experience as it took me over a year! to find out why my horse had girth sores and no matter which girth or girth sleeve I bought the problem persisted.
I even asked my vet shampoos to treat, thinking there was something growing underneath the skin etc.
In short it didn't make sense, and no one figured out why....

10 girths later & 10 girth sleeves later I found out, it's as a result of the saddle moving ever so slightly side-to-side, which made the girth not maintaining its position 100%, but by the looks of things was constantly moving/pulling right to left especially when posting the trot and my super sensitively skinned horse got sores from that.
Fixing the saddle, fixed the girth sores.

[JLR1]

I have had good luck with the Thinline girths. Possibly an anatomic girth like the County Logic would fit the shape of your guy better?

[Leather]

First, get yourself some Bickmore's Gall Salve. It's great stuff!

http://www.thedistancedepot.com/Bickmore_s_Gall_Salve_p/fth-bgs.htm

If you want to switch girths, try mohair. The endurance folks swear by it.

This girth is fantastic--it's modeled after the western roper cinches to give more stability.

http://www.actionridertack.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=805

My mare was getting girth galls after having been out of regular work for 2 years.

I got some Bickmore's and switched to a mohair girth and after a couple of days not a hint of a gall. We've been gall/rub free ever since, including after a week of camping where I was riding 5-20 miles per day.

[RiverBendPol]

No doubt, string girth is the way to go.
http://www.marystack.com/aaaaaaaauk.html

[Dune]

No doubt, string girth is the way to go.
http://www.marystack.com/aaaaaaaauk.html


ASSuming your saddle fits reasonably well and you follow "proper girthing" methods...NO doubt mohair is the way to go...:yes: