Choosing the Right Girth: Shape, Size, and Material

The girth is one of the most discreet pieces of tack, yet one of the most crucial for the horse’s comfort. It holds the saddle in place and passes just behind the elbows, a sensitive and very mobile area. A poorly chosen girth can hinder movement, cause chafing, or let the saddle slip. At Sellerie Bucéphale, we regularly assist our riders in this choice: here are the guidelines we share to find the girth truly suited to your pair, including among our Mattès girths made of cotton base with removable sheepskin covers.

Short girth or long girth?

The first question to ask is neither the brand nor the color, but the length. It directly depends on your saddle and the position of its billet straps (the straps to which the girth attaches under the flap).

• The short girth is used with saddles whose billet straps are long and extend low under the flap. This is typical of dressage saddles. The girth buckle then sits under the flap, out of the leg’s contact zone, providing a closer leg feel to the horse.
• The long girth is used with saddles that have short billet straps, like most all-purpose and jumping saddles. The buckle then sits higher, at the level of the flap.

In practice, a saddle is designed for one system or the other. The simplest way is to look at your current girth: if its buckle sits low, under the flap, you have a short girth; if it comes up toward the top of the flap, you have a long girth.

Shapes: straight or anatomical

At the same length, not all girths fit the horse’s body the same way. The shape plays a key role in comfort and freedom of movement.

• The straight girth is the classic shape, with a consistent width. Simple and versatile, it suits many horses and remains a reliable choice, especially in traditional leather.
• The anatomical girth (also called cut-out or asymmetrical) is shaped to follow the natural line of the girth area and avoid the elbow zone. By clearing the back of the front legs, it aims to reduce rubbing behind the elbow and allow greater freedom of movement. The half-moon and asymmetrical shapes follow this logic.
• The girth with a flap adds a protective panel over the girth area and the lower belly. It is mainly used in cross-country and outdoor riding: it protects against front hoof strikes and limits mud splashes. A real plus as soon as the terrain gets challenging.

There is no universally superior shape: it all depends on your horse’s conformation. A horse with the elbow close to the girth strap, or prone to irritation in that area, will often benefit from an anatomical cut. A horse without particular issues will do just fine with a well-fitted straight girth.

Morphology: where the girth strap is placed

A point too often forgotten: the placement of the girth strap on your horse. This is the number one cause of a slipping saddle.

• Forward or backward girth strap placement. If the deepest point behind the elbow is very far forward, the girth tends to pull the saddle toward the shoulder; if it is set back, the saddle may be pulled backward. An anatomical or asymmetrical cut, which allows the girth to sit in the natural hollow, helps stabilize the whole setup.
• Short back or long back. On a short back, make sure the girth and its buckle don’t press behind the elbow; on a long back, the saddle’s position generally allows more leeway.

Observe your horse from the side, girth fastened, standing still then walking: the girth should sit without folds or bulges, a few centimeters behind the elbow. If it “seeks” the same position repeatedly, it’s your horse’s conformation that dictates — choose the shape accordingly.

Materials: leather, synthetic, sheepskin

The material determines the comfort, care, and durability of the girth.

• Leather is the traditional material: durable, elegant, and long-lasting, it develops a patina over time. In return, it requires regular maintenance (cleaning and conditioning) to stay supple.
• Synthetic is appreciated for its ease of care: it washes simply and dries quickly. It’s a practical and generally more affordable option, suitable for daily use and all weather conditions.
• Sheepskin (woolly skin) is prized for the comfort it provides against the skin: soft, breathable, it helps reduce pressure points and chafing. It’s a preferred choice for horses with sensitive skin or prone to irritation.

Important about Mattès girths: the system consists of a base (the girth body, made of cotton fabric, which holds the buckles) and a removable cover — or sleeve — that clips onto it. This cover comes in cotton finish or sheepskin finish (woolly skin). In other words, on a Mattès girth, it’s not the base that is sheepskin: it’s the cover. Base and cover are sold separately, allowing you to customize your girth, wash the cover, or replace it without changing the entire girth. Many girths also combine elastics at one or both ends: they accommodate chest expansion during effort and breathing, for a more flexible fit.

Care for a sheepskin cover

Sheepskin lasts for years if properly cared for — and quickly gets ruined if treated like leather. Good habits:

• Cold wash (cold or lukewarm water, never hot) with a special wool/sheepskin detergent. No harsh regular detergent.
• No feeding, no grease, no glycerin soap: these products are made for leather and suffocate the wool.
• Dry flat, in the open air, away from direct sunlight and any heat source (radiator, dryer). You can gently brush the wool once dry to restore its fluffiness.

Choosing the right size

Once the type, shape, and material are defined, the size remains — expressed in centimeters. The most reliable method is also the simplest: measure your current girth, buckle to buckle, if it fits well. This gives you the exact reference length to order.

If you’re starting from scratch, or to refine your choice — especially for Mattès girths, offered in many lengths — rely on our dedicated page: the Mattès girth size guide. If you hesitate between two sizes, or for a horse with a particular build, don’t hesitate to contact us: we prefer to help you measure rather than let you order at random.

Properly girth up

A good girth poorly tightened is worthless. Two simple rules:

• Tighten gradually, in 2 to 3 steps: at mounting, then after a few minutes, rather than all at once to the maximum. The horse accepts it better and the saddle stabilizes without compressing.
• Check again after warming up: once the horse is relaxed and breathing steady, the girth often needs to be tightened one notch more. A quick check prevents the saddle from slipping.

Our girths

Here is a selection of girths available at Sellerie Bucéphale, from short dressage models to long girths, including Mattès cotton fabric bases and a removable sheepskin cover:

Eskadron simple short girth45,30 € View product

Eskadron short girth with elastics48,30 € View product

BR Première short girth29,00 € View product

Shires Blenheim short leather girth20,00 € View product

Mattès short half-moon cotton base104,90 € View product

Mattès short asymmetrical cotton base104,90 € View product

Mattès short asymmetrical girth with removable cover194,90 € View product

Mattès Slim-Line short anatomical sheepskin cover129,90 € View product

Mattès Special Long Cotton Girth (removable cover)194,90 € View product

Mattès Special Long Cotton Base104,90 € View product

Note: at Mattès, the models above labeled “base” are cotton fabric bases; the sheepskin cover (woolly leather) is a separate item, sold separately and clipped onto the base. Find all of our Mattès girths, bases, covers, and sleeves as well as all our girths in the shop. Prices and availability are indicative and subject to change; please refer to each product’s page.

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