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[fargos handmaiden]

Since looks like Speedy Gonzales, the little rat, and I are stuck with each other, I am looking for a better saddle.fit for him. Closest I have that almost fits is my old Tennessean fabtron. Problem is skirt is so low on his sides, I can't fasten girth up high enough to miss his shoulders and armpits. Result, gall sores. I think i need a.saddle with as little skirt as possible, both going down his sides and hanging over his very short backend. And Y-rigging to get away from his shoulders. Found a saddle.fitter in Ft. Worth that sells mysaddles.com but don't know if since she sells only these saddles, she would have our best interests at heart. Also I don't see.that these saddles can handle.y-rigging. I will try to post pics of the little varmint to show what I am up against but I don't do pics well here.

I do feel I need very sturdy stirrups because he is a twirlygig. Although I like saddle horns, I could do without.

Any suggestions? Very willing to consider used as well as new.

[Cassidy]

You may want to try a short girth with that saddle. I suggest 22 or 24 inch. Won't be in the way of his shoulders and short is stable plus I believe you can still rig Y. Good luck with your boy.

[loneelk]

Another possibility would be an X-girth, IF the saddle is rigged for one.  I think that Deb @ Crest Ridge and Anita Howe both sell X-girths in custom lengths. 
If the saddle isn't rigged for an X-girth, I second the suggestion of trying a much shorter girth.

[KysaSD]

Connie, saddles are most stable when the girth is as short as it can be and the tie straps as long as they can be.  Find the horse’s elbow, it should be close to where the front leg ties in to the barrel.  Follow straight across on the rib cage, then up about 2 inches.  That is where the bottom of the buckles should sit.  I see lots of people with way too long of girths.

[fargos handmaiden]

Thank you, Kysa. I got so many girths around here I will try that. I think I have some shorter ones tho I know most were bought for our bigger horses. BTW, I sent you a pm on another matter.

[KysaSD]

Yes, I got That. I would be delighted to host you

[fargos handmaiden]

I just wrote the guy about the mohair x-girth. I am already using a 22 inch girth and Crestridge.shows.their shortest length is 28". I like the smaller.buckles I see on the mohair.

Other problem is that saddle is a very old Tennessean. There are only slits in the fabric skirt for the back girth, no underlying leather support leading to the tree. Does.the x-girth put equal pressure on that back girth where it may rip the skirt?

[Walkin45]

Personally , I would not use the slits for the back rigging. I have a few Tennessean saddles and I love them. 

[loneelk]

I just wrote the guy about the mohair x-girth. I am already using a 22 inch girth and Crestridge.shows.their shortest length is 28". I like the smaller.buckles I see on the mohair.

Other problem is that saddle is a very old Tennessean. There are only slits in the fabric skirt for the back girth, no underlying leather support leading to the tree. Does.the x-girth put equal pressure on that back girth where it may rip the skirt?

I agree that the "slits" for back girth wouldn't be desirable for an X-girth.  All of ours now have actual rings.  IF the saddle is a good fit otherwise, maybe you could find a saddle repair person who could figure out a way to replace the slits w/ rings, or add rings to back of skirts.  I'm NOT a fan of those slits....  And there probably isn't as much pressure on the rear tails of the "X" as on the front part of the rigging, it is important to be able to even out the pressure between them.
On the topic of mohair girths--I've been a neoprene girth person for decades--harkening back to my endurance days, when cleaning girths after a sweaty ride needed to be EASY.  Now that I'm riding mostly short times/distances (2 hours right now is a LONG ride for me), I feel more comfortable looking at alternatives that may be more comfortable for my horse.  Just recently rec'd my first EVER 100% mohair girth, and will be using it soon. 

[Walkin45]

The slits are meant for a flank cinch.

[fargos handmaiden]

Thank you to both of you. I was afraid it would not support the  x-girth.

[loneelk]

You MIGHT be able to get by w/ it for short rides, IF the saddle fits your horse otherwise, while you look for a different saddle.  But X-girth is designed to apply reasonably even pressure to front and back--I've always tightened mine slightly tighter in front/snug in back. 

[fargos handmaiden]

Had.left saddle.with saddle shop. They said the plastic.tree.on the fabtron Tennessean would.not.handle.the stress.even if he tore.it apart.and.redid.the rigging for.either the center fire.rigging or.the x-girth. So out of luck on redoing the saddle.

He suggested a shorter girth but when I told him I was.already using a 22", he said, "you're out of luck then."

[loneelk]

Well, shux.