how do you measure a girth for an english saddle?

Answers:
A girth should first and foremost spread pressure evenly over the entire area. If it is too narrow, or if it has a narrow reinforcing strip down its center, it may cause discomfort. It is also best if it has some "give" to it, which makes it more comfortable for the horse. Many riders also choose a girth that allows for extra elbow room, so the horse is not restricted as his leg moves backward.

To measure for a girth, the saddle with a pad should be placed on the horse. A measuring tape is then used to measure from the middle hole of the billet on one side, under the horse's belly, to the middle billet on the other side.

To find the length for a dressage girth, you can generally subtract 10 inches from the length of the jumping girth to give the correct length, although it may vary.

If a girth is slightly too small, a girth extender may be used. A girth extender attaches to the billets of the saddle and lengthens them, so that a shorter girth may be used.

---

Measure the width of you're horses belly, right behind the elbow? o.o Well.. thats what my instructor told me anyway

---

Eek, I've always done it through guesstimation. I started with an old girth that fit my first horse, a 44, which didn't fit my current horse. I needed another inch or two to even get to the billets. I rifled through my trainers girths (with permission of course) a grabbed her 54 size girth which was too big, going high up when tighted on the billets. I guessed that I needed a size 52 that easily reaches the billets, but takes only three holes up the billets to tighten and so far it fits awesome with plenty of room in case my horse loses weight or gains weight.

It's easy if you have a couple of sizes you can borrow to figure it out without too much measuring.

Otherwise, it's all about inches. If you have a inch increment tape put your saddle on your horse then measure the inches from bottom billets to the other side, bottom billets. That should tell you what size you need, but keep in mind girths come in even numbers. So you may need a size 44, or a 50, or a 52 or 56. If you're in the middle, like 51 inches, I'd go one size down to a 50. Good luck!

---

Put your saddle on your horse where it is supposed to be, with whatever pads you are going to be using.

You need another person for this part. Use a tape measure (the fabric kind for sewing) Have the other person hold the measuring tape against the bottom of the billet on their side. Run the tape under the horse's belly, and up to the billets on your side, kinda snug. Now, subtract 6 inches.

Should be a perfect fit.