How to Make Your Own Cord Girth

A girth is a type of strap used with saddles to keep the saddle in place on the horse's back. It buckles to leather straps on the saddle and passes under the horse's belly behind the forelegs. Cord or string girths are soft and breathable for the horse, but have a tendency to pinch. To reduce this risk, leather inserts are sewn at right angles to the cords to stop them from bunching. The finished girth will consist of a strong strap made from multiple lengths of cord with two buckles at each end to allow attachment.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Old girth (optional)
  • Assistant (optional)
  • Saddle (optional)
  • Workbench
  • Cord
  • 12-Inch piece of nylon webbing
  • Glue
  • Saddle leather
  • 12-Inch square of soft, fine leather
  • Four girth buckles
  • Knife
  • Metal rule
  • Saddler's awl
  • Thimble
  • Leather needle and thread
  • Pliers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Decide on the length of the finished girth. The easiest way is to measure an old girth (from buckle end to buckle end). Otherwise, saddle your horse and ask an assistant to help you measure from halfway up the nearside girth buckles, under the horse's belly to halfway up the offside girth straps.

    • 2

      Measure and cut eight lengths of cord to the length of the finished girth. Cut the nylon webbing in half and cover the pieces in glue. Lay one piece of webbing out and attach the ends of the cords onto it at right angles, so that the webbing holds the cord in place. Measure again and trim off any excess cord, remembering that the buckles will add two inches in length to the finished girth. Add the other piece of webbing at the other end, so that the cord forms a strap held by webbing at both ends. Trim off any excess webbing.

    • 3

      Use a knife and metal rule to cut four straps from saddle leather, each measuring 1 inch by 8 inches. Trim each end of each strap into a point. Use the awl to prick needle holes all around the edges of each strap. Cut a small hole in the center of each strap to pass the buckle's prong through. Thread the four buckles onto the straps.

    • 4

      Cut five strips, measuring 1 inch by 8 inches, from the fine leather. Wrap the first one around the top end of the girth, making sure that it covers the webbing. Stitch into place with a row of running stitches. When you reach the end of the row, work back along it, making another line of stitches in the gaps left by the original sewing. If necessary, use the pliers to pull the needle through. Make sure that the seam finishes on the outside of the girth where it won't rub against the horse. Repeat to add another strip to the other end of the girth, and the other three at regular intervals along the length. This will keep the cords together so that they don't pinch.

    • 5

      Lay the first two buckles on one end of the girth, and position them so that they're the same distance from the edges. Stitch into place, using pliers to pull the needle from one side to the other. Repeat for the other two straps.