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[melissah]

The 28 looks much much better.  Just make certain that the girth is centered.  Sometimes you have to be creative with the off billet, but it needs to be centered over the breastbone, and come up the same distance on both sides.

Cool....I kept playing with the offside to center it. The breast collar was tweaking to one side so I was playing with it. It was getting late and I was trying to get towards the front of Mercy but the sun was going down and I still needed to muck and feed.

I think when David got Storm I measured the correct way because he was in a 28.....with Mercy I just used what I had.

I will be getting a 28 then. Make sure it's centered and we're good to go.

[RackinRocky]

+1 to the "has to be even on the sides." I never knew that for many years, and now that my cinch is even, it makes a really big difference. I would agree that it looks as if you need a 28." I really had a heck of a time with my dressage saddle--it's a whole different world when it comes to cinches! Or I should say girths!  It's super hard to find cinches short enough where I am. The size I needed was a pony cinch, and it didn't come in roper. So I definitely need to order online.

[Cassidy]

Melissa, if you want to play and drool ... go into the 5 Star web site and check their mohair cinches.  They can make PINK .. or pink and brown.  Your clores, which by the way I love together.  I think they are expensive but fun to look at all the gorgeous ones they've made.  BTW my farrier uses mohair and she's the very particular what goes on her horses.  Also, she rides a lot and has never sored a horse with these girths (mohair or alpaca)  To her riding less than 8 hours isn't really a trail ride it's just a warm up.

[melissah]

Melissa, if you want to play and drool ... go into the 5 Star web site and check their mohair cinches.  They can make PINK .. or pink and brown.  Your clores, which by the way I love together.  I think they are expensive but fun to look at all the gorgeous ones they've made.  BTW my farrier uses mohair and she's the very particular what goes on her horses.  Also, she rides a lot and has never sored a horse with these girths (mohair or alpaca)  To her riding less than 8 hours isn't really a trail ride it's just a warm up.

Wow, those are some nice cinches. I'm looking at Alpaca Roper cinches right now. I love the whole idea of something so soft for her.

I been looking for some sort of pink saddle blanket but they are hard to find. You can find pads galore in pink but not just blankets. Then I go on ebay and Etsy and look up Navajo saddle blankets and find some really nice authentic ones. But they are $$$ lot's of money and earth tones.

I love this one.....but a bit out of my range

https://www.etsy.com/listing/219790590/vintage-navajo-saddle-blanket?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_query=navajo+saddle+blanket&ga_ref=auto1&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

[Cassidy]

That is pretty.  I'm a big fan of Saddleright pads and 5 Star is second.  I do think that Saddleright has a pink and you can get free color swatches to check before you buy.  Some times she has returns she discounts.  I do think the color is more intense than the samples when you get the pad but that's because a pad is so much bigger than a 2inch by 2 inche piece.  Also, you can get just about any color from Skito and Tom is really really nice.  I know Debra said just a wool pad would work but the one you're looking at needs to be folded and then they become thick.  Years ago we had a beautiful red/black/white pad for hubby's dark dapple gray QH.  He looked super but sweat like crazy and the pad did soak it up and get heavy.  Finally after a lot of begging he tried 5 star .. what a difference, he's never gone back.  I like the saddleright because of the front and back slits .. gives wither relief and allows hip movement.  BUT those are my preferences and everyone finds what works for them and their horse .. when it works it's right no matter what other folks like.     Don't stop looking until you find what you like.  Good pads cost more than cheap but may not work that great and when you have to buy again . well that's more $$$ spent than starting out with one that cost more in the first place.

[melissah]

The blanket I have now you have to fold. I don't like folding it. It can bunch up under there. I bought a cheap weaver blanket to test the saddle in in case I didn't like the saddle I was not out a lot of money. 12.95! lol

I want one you don't double. I actually had a saddleright pad I sold on Ebay a year ago. I think that may be too thick for Mercy and saddle.

It's hard to find a blanket that's 32x32. She has such a short back.

I like this but you have to fold it too

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pink-Black-Navajo-Saddle-Blanket-30x60-Pink-Navajo-Blanket-Horse-Pad-/251823787165?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aa1de0c9d

but that would be a 30x30 which may work too

[Cassidy]

OMG the perfect colors BUT is doesn't saw wool.  Did you ask the material?  SR are only 1/2 inch thick and when the horse warms up it comforms to their body, also they make it as short as needed.  Mercy may have a short back but a 30x30 is still too long for my new guy .. heck 28" is really too long but because of the splits front and back I can use it for short rides till I can get the right size.  Just love those colors your going with.  Me, I'm looking for the right teal .. just as hard to find.

[Walkin45]

I think myatex make a single Navaho. I have a few of them. Not sure on size though.

[Kellie in OR]

Mayatex has the nice double weaves that are a single piece. They do make an arab or gaming length that is 30" rather than the normal 34. I know they do make pink as I just send my pink & tan one to a friend fighting breast cancer. Ebay search.

[melissah]

Thanks to both of you! I am on the Mayatex site now.

[RackinRocky]

Yep, I stopped using blankets the first time I realized they bunch up WAY too easy, and then it rubs the horse, and I could never seem to get it "just right" so that I was positive it wouldn't bunch up. Also, I have short backed horses too, and I found out the hard way that 28" pads are very difficult to find. I about went crazy because I'd be searching for hours, and finally see a pad I really liked (color, material, etc) but it would almost ALWAYS be too long. I looked at them all, Mayatex included. I'm not crazy about paying $200 or more for a pad, either.

[Kellie in OR]

Melissa,
Pair your single layer wool blanket with this liner. It is thin and breathable and will keep your blanket clean. It is contoured over the wither so it won't bind down and it will keep your blanket from moving/bunching and your saddle from slipping/rolling. It is not very thick so won't affect saddle fit, but does add a little cushion. I've been using one for years, love it, just hose it off to clean. It is not cheep, but still less than the other popular "liner" and I like it way better, so does my horse.

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=0ee21b71-39bd-4f93-b656-061303dfce85&sfb=1&itemguid=9494ce7f-2da5-4549-ae87-6054e89afe1b&utm_content=26170&ccd=IFH003&mr:trackingCode=4958C464-3C81-E211-BA78-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&mr:ad=43740016843&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=110275557163&gclid=CI2muIHklsQCFQGTfgodXBYATg

[melissah]

Perfect idea Kellie! Thanks!

[2gaits]

My favorite pads are diamond wool. They come in various sizes and I've always had good luck with them. I just switched back to a neoprene girth on my gelding. My mohair was looking old and I figured maybe it needed replaced. I also bought Lucy a new neoprene one but it is a 28 and just seems too short. I have a hard time getting it even on both sides and have just still been using her old mohair girth. I think I decided I like the neoprene ones because they cushion the ring and I can tuck away the extra billet piece. Never had either gall a horse.

[melissah]

I actually found a 26" cinch in my collection. I ride Mercy in it Saturday and it's perfect. So I ordered a 100% Alpaca cinch for her. Perfect.