Horses can dislike having the girth tightened for a variety of reasons. Here are some quick answers to common questions about horses not liking the girth:
What are some common reasons a horse may dislike the girth?
There are a few main reasons why a horse may show signs of disliking the girth:
- Pain or discomfort from the girth putting pressure on the chest or abdomen
- Previous bad experiences with girthing like accidental pinching of the skin
- Anxiety or nervousness about being tacked up and ridden
- Learned behavior of reacting negatively to girthing to try and avoid work
How can you tell if the horse is in pain from the girth?
Signs that the girth may be causing legitimate pain or discomfort include:
- Flinching, pinning ears back, biting or kicking when the girth is tightened
- Subtle signs like tensing muscles, swishing tail, turning head to bite at girth
- Visible signs of pain like stretching out abdomen, raising belly, hollowing back
- Being extra sensitive around the girth area and flanks
What are some potential sources of girth pain?
Some common sources of girth pain include:
- Improperly fitted girth – too long, short, wide or narrow
- Girth placement too far forward or back from ideal position
- Skin pinching from uneven girth tightening
- Injuries or conditions like strained muscles, ulcers, hernias, cysts
- Pressure on the sternum from narrow girths
How can you address girth pain and discomfort?
To address girth discomfort or pain:
- Have a vet exam to check for injuries, ulcers, cysts, etc.
- Carefully assess girth fit and placement, adjust as needed
- Use girth covers or sleeves to prevent pinching
- Tighten girth slowly and evenly on both sides
- Allow the horse time to relax into the girth pressure
How can you tell if the behavior is anxiety related?
Signs the girth reaction is related to anxiety or nerves include:
- No signs of physical pain when girth is tightened
- Behavior arises when first saddled but then resolves
- Only occurs with girthing and not other handling
- Horse seems otherwise relaxed and comfortable when tacked up
What are some approaches for anxiety with girthing?
Ways to address girthing anxiety include:
- Get the horse accustomed to girthing through positive reinforcement training
- Make sure girthing up is a calm, gentle experience
- Reduce overall sources of anxiety for the horse as much as possible
- Allow the horse a little extra time to relax into the girth
- Consider anti-anxiety supplements if anxiety is severe
How can you identify learned girth behavior?
Girth reactions that are learned behaviors rather than true pain/anxiety may show these characteristics:
- No physical signs of pain or discomfort when reacting
- Behavior starts out mild but escalates over time
- Horse is otherwise calm and relaxed when being tacked up
- Reaction is reduced or absent when someone other than regular handler girths
How can you retrain learned girth behavior?
Retraining a learned negative girth response includes:
- Have a different person saddle and girth the horse initially
- Do not coddle or comfort the horse when they react
- Calmly but firmly insist the horse stands for girthing
- Retighten girth fully if horse causes it to loosen through reactions
- Be consistent in requiring the desired standing behavior
- Reward calm standing with verbal praise and a release of pressure
When should you call the vet about girth issues?
Call the vet if the horse shows any of these signs:
- Unexplained girthiness that is escalating in severity
- Visible pain reactions like stretching abdomen, hollowing back
- Signs of skin damage or irritation from the girth
- Swelling, discharge, bleeding or abnormal masses near girth area
- Loss of condition, weight or appetite from suspected girth pain
A vet exam can help identify underlying physical problems contributing to girth discomfort.
What girth materials may help reduce discomfort?
Some girth materials to help minimize discomfort include:
- Fleece covers to prevent pinching and rubbing
- Leather girths that mold to the horse’s shape
- Synthetic materials that conform well like neoprene
- Natural fibers like mohair that compress and breathe
Avoid rigid or very thick girths that do not compress easily.
What girth adjustments can help reduce reactions?
Girth adjustments to help prevent reactions include:
- Ensuring girth is snug but not overly tight
- Using stoppers on billets to prevent over-tightening
- Careful positioning behind elbow in softest part of barrel
- Using elastic end girths to allow some give
- Trying different rigging positions if available
How can you get a horse accustomed to girthing?
Methods to help a horse accept girthing include:
- Introduce girth slowly with positive reinforcement training
- Allow the horse to sniff and lick the girth as part of habituating
- Initially put on girth loosely and tighten a little at a time
- Reward standing calmly during girthing with treats, praise
- Practice “girth conditioning” exercises to build tolerance
What is girth conditioning for horses?
Girth conditioning involves:
- Putting light pressure on the girth area through massage, brushing, etc.
- Tightening a rope or surcingle around the girth area for short intervals
- Getting the horse used to pressure on the sternum and abdomen
- Working up slowly to tolerating a snug girth for longer periods
This systematic desensitization can help reduce anxiety and discomfort.
What is the proper girth placement on a horse?
Ideal girth placement is:
- 2 to 3 inches behind the horse’s elbows
- Far enough back to avoid interference with the shoulders
- In the softest part of the barrel, above the sternum
- Where the billets align vertically with anchor points
This prevents excessive pressure on the front legs or sternum while girthing.
How tight should a horse girth be?
A properly tightened girth should:
- Allow 1-2 fingers space between horse and girth
- Feel snug but not constricting to the horse
- Prevent saddle slippage but allow free shoulder movement
- In general, tight enough for light riding but not for full jumping/speed
If the girth is overly tight, it can cause discomfort and restrict movement.
How can you prevent pinched skin when girthing?
To avoid pinching the horse’s skin when girthing:
- Smooth the coat and brush debris away before putting on girth
- Tighten gently and slowly, pausing to allow skin to move out of the way
- Visually check for folds of skin caught under girth
- Slide a hand under from both sides to feel for pinches
- Consider using a girth cover or sleeve if pinching is an issue
Why does my horse bite at the girth area?
Horses may bite at their girth area due to:
- Pain or irritation from the girth itself
- Pinched skin or irritated areas that bother the horse
- Tring to scratch an itch on their chest or abdomen
- A nervous habit of reacting to girth pressure
Assess for sources of pain/irritation and address anxiety as needed.
How can I tell if my horse’s girth needs to be refitted?
Signs that your horse may need a girth refit include:
- Rub marks, friction burns or irritation signs under the girth
- Girth is loose and slips readily with movement
- Buckles do not align correctly when tightened
- Girth is tight on full holes but still slips some
- Girth is obviously too short or long for your horse’s barrel
Refits may be needed for size, shape changes, or wear on girth over time.
Can ulcers in horses cause girthiness?
Yes, stomach or abdominal ulcers can potentially manifest as girthiness due to:
- Pain and discomfort caused when the girth puts pressure on affected areas
- Increased anxiety and anticipation of pain with tacking up
- Generalized abdominal sensitivity and tension from inflammation
If ulcers are suspected, a vet should evaluate and provide appropriate treatment.
Can a girth gall or rub injure a horse?
Yes, girth rubs and galls can harm a horse if not addressed:
- Can progress to open wounds vulnerable to infection
- May damage muscles, tendons or other tissues below the skin
- Can lead to pain and worsening behavioral reactions to girth
- Can develop thickened scar tissue or permanent hair loss
At the first signs of rubbing, adjust the girth fit and protection to prevent further injury.
Should I reward my horse for accepting the girth?
It can be helpful to reward a horse for tolerating girth pressure through:
- Verbal praise and reassurance when standing calmly
- Giving treats immediately after the girth is tightened
- Brief grooming or massage as a “release” after tightening
- Not moving on until the horse relaxes and accepts the girth
This positive reinforcement helps overcome any associated anxiety or discomfort.
Can saddle fit cause girthy behavior in horses?
Poor saddle fit can contribute to girthy behavior by:
- Causing pinching if the panels or gullet are too narrow
- Putting excess pressure on the withers and shoulders
- Creating generalized discomfort making girth pressure less tolerable
- Leading to back pain or soreness that amplifies reactions
Checking for saddle fit issues and addressing any problems is recommended.
Conclusion
Girthiness in horses often arises from physical discomfort, anxiety about being tacked up, or learned behaviors for avoiding work. Addressing the underlying cause through proper vet exams, adjusting tack fit, positive reinforcement training, and consistent handling can help reduce negative girth reactions. Being patient, persistent and ruling out pain will lead to the best results. If the horse’s responses do not improve, it is best to involve your veterinarian and equine behaviorist to get to the bottom of the issue.
| Cause | Signs | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Girth pain/discomfort | Flank biting, kicking, pinning ears, hollowing back, stretching abdomen | Vet exam, adjust fit, padding, slower tightening |
| Anxiety about girthing | No pain signs, reaction lessens once saddled, only during girthing | Desensitization, positive reinforcement, anti-anxiety supplements |
| Learned misbehavior | No pain, escalates over time, reduced with different handlers | Re-training by different handlers, insist on proper behavior |
