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.

The Pony Club Pony Racing Instruction Day.

Posted by rji | Filed under General Info

Pony Club Racing Day FORMER National Hunt jockeys John Francome, Peter Scudamore, Marcus Armytage and Steve Smith Eccles are set to pass on some of the secrets of their race riding success to some young stars of the future.

The quartet, who between them won thousands of races including the Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle, will be hoping to inspire new racing greats when they line up to train riders from across the country at The Pony Club Pony Racing Instruction Day to be held at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire on Monday, 18th February 2008.

The day will aim to improve the skills of young riders entering the new and fast-growing sport of Pony Racing. Open to Members and non members of The Pony Club alike, the day will include workshops on;

Rider & Pony Fitness
Rules, Equipment, Tack
Equicisor instruction

Several of the youngsters will get the chance to take part in a practical demonstration as “guinea pigs” to develop their skills.

Parents, Instructors, Pony Club Branch and Centre Officials are all invited to attend the day which can be used as part of the Pony Club Instructors Accreditation scheme.

The charge for Members / non members is £10 and for Instructors £5. Parents and Officials can attend free of charge. Enrolment forms are available from The Pony Club, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire CV8 2RW (tel: 02476 698301) email: clare@pcuk.org (website) http://www.pcuk.org