The Equestrian Blog

Saddle Girth – How tight is too tight?

Are you guilty of doing up your horse’s girth as tight as you can in the belief it gives your saddle and you the best security? Well Australian researchers have found that a girth done up too tightly can have a negative effect on your horse’s performance.

The usual tension applied to a saddle girth to keep a saddle on a Thoroughbred racehorse is around 13kg but researchers found anything over 10kg could alter the horses performance.

Although they still have to work out why, it’s thought that it may force the horse to adopt different breathing patterns involving a greater use of the diaphragm which in turn affects performance. Alternatively, the soft tissue and fluid in the thoracic wall (the part between the neck and abdomen, enclosed by the ribs) could be displaced during exercise.

As yet, no-one knows for sure. Some horses don’t seem particularly affected by girth tightness but others do. Saddle placement also played a part, so more research is needed. Whatever the effects of your saddle girth just make sure you don’t leave your girth too loose.

Year of The Horse – Chinese Zodiac

Posted by rji | Filed under General Info, Worth Mentioning

The Chinese Zodiac - Year of The Horse The Horse is one of the 12-year cycle of animals that appear in the Chinese Zodiac, which is directly related to the Chinese calendar.

People born within the following date ranges can be said to have been born in the “Year of the Horse” and also bear the following elemental sign :

11 Feb 1918 - 31 Jan 1919 : Earth Horse
30 Jan 1930 - 16 Feb 1931 : Metal Horse
15 Feb 1942 - 04 Feb 1943 : Water Horse
03 Feb 1954 - 16 Feb 1955 : Wood Horse
21 Jan 1966 - 08 Feb 1967 : Fire Horse
07 Feb 1978 - 27 Jan 1979 : Earth Horse
27 Jan 1990 - 14 Feb 1991: Metal Horse
12 Feb 2002 - 31 Jan 2003: Water Horse

The horse personality is often willing to give as well as expect a lot of liberty. Horse people are extremely independent and confident.

A horse person is very quick-witted, inquisitive and determined.

They are very good at recognizing patterns. He or she is intuitive and will guess your thoughts even before you’ve expressed them.

In general, horse people are gifted.

Horses should beware of the Rat, as any relationship with this sign is said to be extremely trying for the horse. Of all relationships between Chinese zodiac signs, a relationship between a rat and a horse is said to be the worst. The rat may just be too calculating, dictatorial and possessive for the free-spirited and independent horse. A relationship with a rat can potentially break down the horse's free-spirit and cause rage in the rat - as neither will be willing to yield to the other.

Rats and Horses will attract each other like no other. Male Horses, especially, will find the female Rat irresistable. Though they always bring out the worst in each other.

However, horses get along great with Tigers and Dogs.

Rat	No, Definitely Not
Ox	Unfortunately, you will part
Tiger	Good, you have lots in common
Rabbit	Why not just be friends?
Dragon	Steamy, but it won't last
Snake	Strong attraction to each other. Maybe
Horse	Better bury your ego.
Goat	Good, you won't bore each other
Monkey	Not Recommended
Rooster	If you must, but not recommended
Dog	Big Plus and A happy couple
Pig	This one's worth a try