How to Get the Right Size of Dressage Girth

The girth on a Dressage saddle measures differently than an all-purpose English saddle or a jumping saddle. The difference in the saddles is in the length of the billets. A Dressage saddle requires longer billets, so the girth buckles do not interfere with the rider's signals. The rider works the horse through a series of Dressage movements using invisible leg and seat signals, guiding the horse through flying lead changes, piaffes and pirouettes. The right size Dressage girth lets you have more leg contact with your horse's sides.

Things You'll Need

  • Cloth measuring tape
  • Assistant
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put the saddle on your horse's back where it sits slightly up on its withers, which is the small rise at the base of its neck where it meets the back. Place light pressure against the pommel, or front, of the Dressage saddle and slide the Dressage saddle toward the rear of your horse until it stops naturally on the back. Your horse's conformation determines the final location of the saddle, letting the saddle rest about 2-1/2 to 3 inches behind the shoulder blade.

    • 2

      Place a cloth measuring tape against the billets on your horse's right side. Have an assistant hold the end of the tape against the second hole from the bottom of the billets. The billets are leather straps with holes punched in them and attach to the saddle. The buckles of the Dressage girth attach to the billets much like a belt attaches around your waist.

    • 3

      Reach beneath your horse's belly and grab the loose end of the measuring tape. Hold the tape against the second hole from the bottom of the billets on the horse's left side. Note the measurement on the tape and round the measurement up to the next number divisible by two. A Dressage girth measures about 20 inches shorter than your standard English saddle girth because the billets are much longer.