How to Measure, Size, and Fit a Dressage Girth

When it comes to horseback riding, it is important to have proper fitting tack to ensure a safe and comfortable ride. Arguably, your girth is at the top of that list. A well-fitted girth is the reason that your saddle stays securely in place and it prevents discomfort for the horse, all while helping to keep you stable and balanced. In dressage specifically, it is crucial that the rider stays centered in their seat to allow the horse to perform their intricate movements. If your tack is working against you and your horse, it will show in the ring.

Unfortunately, for many equestrians, finding the correct girth can be a daunting task. That's why our experts have put together this guide to help you find your perfect dressage girth size! A dressage girth, also called a "short girth," is an English-style girth that is designed for saddles with long billets, such as a mono-flap jump saddle and most dressage saddles. Long billets and short girths are designed to reduce bulk underneath the rider's leg and offer a close-contact feel.

Saddle Prep, Girth Types, and Measuring Tools

Before you start the hunt for the perfect girth, we suggest that you have a well-fitting saddle, since the girth and saddle should work together as a synergistic pair. You can work with your trainer or a saddle fitter to find a saddle that works for both you and your horse.

Additionally, we suggest understanding what type of short girth will be best for your horse's physical needs. There are many different girth types, shapes, and materials available, with each style offering different benefits for different horse needs. Be sure to check out our Horse Girth Buying Guide to learn about the product options available.

Once you know what type of dressage girth would work best, here's what you'll need to measure your horse for a proper fit:

• Fabric or soft tape measure.
• If you do not have a fabric tape measure, you can also use a standard tape measure or ruler to measure and mark a piece of string that is at least 40" in length.
• A notebook or notes app to record your measurements.
• Ideally, a friend or family member to help hold the measuring tape or string.

5 Steps for Measuring and Fitting a Dressage Girth

1. Grab a fabric or soft tape measure, pen, and paper to note measurement lengths, and ideally, a friend to help you hold the tape measure around your horse.
2. Identify the proper placement for your dressage girth.
3. Measure across the barrel of your horse from the middle billet hole on one side to the corresponding hole on the other side.
4. Take note of your measurement and convert units if need be, inches to centimeters.
5. Once you get your physical girth, test it out with your saddle. When the girth is tightened, there should be two to three fingers of space between the top of the girth and the bottom of the saddle pad.

While this process seems straightforward, there is more than meets the eye here. Each step listed above will be covered in greater detail later in this article, as well as explained and shown in the video below.

Proper Girth Placement

To determine where to measure, you need to find where the girth should sit. Place one hand along the barrel, right behind the elbow. This is where most girths will naturally want to settle; however, this position can change based on your horse's conformation. For example, you may have a horse with large shoulders that will require you to place the saddle further back so that it does not impede their movement. This will result in more than a hand's width behind the elbow.

If you're struggling to find the natural placement, a good trick is to saddle your horse with a slightly loose girth and walk them around a bit. The saddle and girth will naturally migrate to the position it wants to be on your horse.

Measuring for a Dressage Girth

After you know roughly where the girth will sit, grab a friend to help you hold a fabric tape measure. Using the inch increments, measure from approximately the middle billet hole on one side to the same hole on the other side. This may change depending on the billet length, but you do want to ensure that the hole you are measuring from is above the elbow to prevent future interference. Stretch the tape across the horse's barrel to the corresponding billet hole on the other side of the saddle.

If you are measuring your horse alone, you can attach your measuring tape to the billet with a binder clip, or tie your string through the appropriate billet hole. If your horse is fussy when measuring, having a hay net can help keep them busy. The hay net should be hung high enough to keep the horse's head up while you measure. This way, their shoulders and elbows will be in the appropriate place while you measure.

This measurement is the estimated girth size your horse will wear. Most girths are measured in even inch increments, and sizes typically range from 18" to 36". If your horse is between sizes or if you end up on an odd number, round up to the next even size. Some European girths are measured in centimeters, which can easily be converted with the table below:

English girths are measured from buckle end to buckle end. However, there may be some discrepancies on how long the girth actually is because of the placement of the buckles. A girth with buckles set slightly back will be longer overall than a girth with buckles that sit right at the end of the girth. This could potentially change the size of the girth your horse will need. When shopping for girths be sure to pay attention to buckle placements and how they affect sizing for different brands. It is important to look at the product-specific measurements to ensure that you don't order a girth that is too small or large.

Ideally, when the girth is tightened, you will have about two to three fingers of space between the end of the saddle pad and the end of the girth. This space is important because the girth could potentially pinch the horse's skin if the girth is too close to the saddle pad. However, you are trying to find a short girth that is the longest possible version for your horse. This is for a few reasons:

1. The shorter the length between the saddletree and the girth, the more stable the saddle will be on the horse's back.
2. The excess billet that is not being covered by a saddle pad or girth could potentially irritate the horse's skin.
3. You want the buckles of the girth to be above the horse's elbow so that when the horse's leg swings back, the elbow does not make contact with the buckles.

When you do tighten your girth, remember to do it gradually and evenly on both sides. Additionally, tighten your girth based on feel rather than hole numbers. Billets and girths are bound to stretch and change over time, so a horse that has routinely been on hole four might actually be better off on hole five after some wear and tear.

When tightened to the point where you would get on, you should be able to slide your hand between the girth and the horse's skin and have it feel firm but not overly tight. You can also test the tightness of the girth by sliding your finger between the middle of the girth and the horse's heart groove. If you can't slide a finger in, the girth is too tight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a dressage girth?

A: A horse girth is a piece of equipment or tack that keeps the saddle in place and secures it to the horse's back. A dressage girth is a type of horse girth that is made to fit saddles with long English-style billets. The long billet and short girth combination are meant to reduce bulk under the rider's leg, allowing for a more connected feel and less muddled communication.

Q: How big should a dressage girth be?

A: The size of your dressage girth depends on the horse's shape and size. Depending on the horse's build, they may require a longer or shorter girth than a horse of an equal height. Always measure your horse before purchasing a girth to ensure the best, most comfortable fit.

Q: How should I measure for a dressage girth?

A: Here is a quick guide on how to measure for a dressage girth:

1) Gather your materials: soft measuring tape or string and ruler, note-taking device, friend, horse, and saddle.

2) Identify the proper placement of the girth on your horse — roughly a hand's length behind the elbow.

3) Measure across the barrel from the billet's middle hole to the same hole on the other side.

4) Record the length and convert it to different units if need be.

5) Test the girth when you get it; listen to what your horse tells you!

Q: What if my dressage girth is too long? Too short?

A: If your girth is too long, it will interfere with the saddle pad and could be too loose to keep the saddle in place. If your girth is too short it could interfere with the horse's elbow and make it hard to adjust to a comfortable point.

Q: How do I know if my girth is too tight?

A: When the girth is tightened, there should be two to three fingers of space between the top of the girth and the bottom of the saddle pad. You should be able to slide your hand between the girth and the horse's skin and have it feel firm but not overly tight.

Q: Does elastic affect the fit of my girth?

A: Not when measuring — most girths will feature a small amount of elastic to help the girth conform to the horse and add flexibility. It is meant to work with a properly fitted girth rather than instead of a properly fitted girth.

Q: What if my billets don't fit in my dressage girth buckles?

A: Dressage girth buckles are commonly 1" wide, as are most billets. If your billets don't fit in the girth's buckles, you will have to find a girth with larger buckles. This would be mentioned in product-specific measurements. There are girth extenders that may feature wider buckles, but adding an extender should only be a temporary solution while you search for a properly fitting girth.

Closing Thoughts

Finding the ideal tack set for you and your horse is a bit like finding a glass slipper. With the help of trusted barn mates or trainers, it can be a bit more achievable. We hope this measuring guide and our other resources, such as our How to Choose a Girth or Cinch article, will help you and your horse find the right girth for your situation!

By following the steps outlined in this article, riders can ensure that their horse's girth fits them comfortably and securely. A well-fitted dressage girth (and any girth) not only enhances the riding experience but also prevents potential injuries. So, take the time to measure and choose the right tack, and enjoy a more harmonious and successful riding journey! If you have further dressage girth questions, feel free to contact our helpful customer service at info@ridingwarehouse.com or at 1-800-620-9145. Ride on!