Total Saddle Fit - StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth - Dressage

My mustang mare could not be happier. She has always been extremely girthy- once she actually fell to the ground when being girthed. I do not girth her too tight- too loose if anything. I gradually tighten the girth & have tried different types. We managed but she always was very fussy & would try to nip. I even bought a custom saddle that I know fits her well. And I have to say that this stretch-tec girth has been a game changer for her. For the first time in 10 years she stands quietly to be girthed. And gives me a look that says- finally! I purchased the neoprene cover.

The media could not be loaded. Highlights of my Video Review:1. I've been riding with my Wintec Chafeless Elastic Dressage Girth for almost 10 years now. We do Endurance type riding, so we've put thousands of hard miles on over the years - absolutely love this girth. No issues with it whatsoever. When I saw the Total Saddle Fit Shoulder Relief Girth - I wasn't too impressed since my girth already gives me plenty of shoulder clearance. Their design does not give me any more clearance. In fact, if anything, I get a little less clearance since this girth is wider than the Wintec. It wasn't until I checked out their website, just to look at what else they offered that I saw this StretchTec Girth. Now I was intrigued.2. They say - "In addition to shoulder freedom and elbow clearance, the StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth has a triangular center elastic that contours perfectly to a horse's barrel and allows for the 1.5 cm chest expansion that horses undergo go while breathing. This offers less respiratory restriction, and even girth contact on the horse's chest while in work." I am always skeptical - it certainly sounds gimmicky...but then...they might be onto something here. I was intrigued enough to order it.3. When I first put it on. It shoulder relief feature was disappointing - as I had expected. This girth actually gives me a little less shoulder clearance because it's wider. But...I was still intrigued by the center - 3-piece design. It certainly contoured perfectly to Lasair's barrel and I did not have to have it on very tight at all for it to be perfectly secure. From the ground, looking at it - It was nice...still intriguing...but honestly, I was still thinking about returning it because it didn't seem worth the price tag.4. Then I took Lasair out for a test run. We did 11 miles of hard riding. At walk, trot, canter - I didn't feel any significant difference. It did seem to give Lasair greater freedom to collect up though. It wasn't until we did an extremely fast extended trot and all out run that the girth's advantage finally showed itself. Lasair moved out incredibly. I've never felt him use so much of his body before...and that's saying a lot. This girth's shape allows for exceptional stability, while being crazy loose - allowing Lasair full range of motion throughout his entire body. I am finally sold on this girth.5. Now the center thingie where you attach the breastcollar to is a bit weird, so take a look at it so see if it'll work for you. I'm just using a carabiner clip at the moment. I'll probably rig up something else...but right now the carabiner works fine.6. You can choose between a Neoprene or Leather Liner - The liner is held on by velcro.7. I really can't think of any complaints to this girth. It is a lot larger and bulkier than I'm used to. I do love the simplicity of the Wintec...but there is no denying how much better this one just fits and allows Lasair free movement...so I can't complain.8. Is it worth the high price tag? To me...where we do high, hard miles - Yes. I need Lasair as comfortable as he can be. If you're current girth already fits great, gives enough shoulder clearance, does not rub/chafe, your horse is happy, you don't do a lot of miles or fast paces...then a purchase like this probably isn't the highest priority...but it'd still be nice! I think this will be the design of the future. A girth with a 3 piece design that allows free movement - moving and stretching with the horse to allow for great stability. Very nice. I'm very grateful these people thought of this new design. Most excellent!!If there are any questions, please feel free to leave me comments below and I will do my best to answer them. Thank you!

Very happy with this girth

I really like these girths. BUT they are longer than expected. I ordered 30-inch and 26-inch girths for two of my horses. That's the size of their usual girths. But BOTH the girths were too long. So I use the 26-inch on the bigger horse, and bought a 22-inch for the smaller horse. Maybe I'll have to buy a bigger horse to use the 30-inch girth!

I was quite pleased with the Total Saddle Fit girth for my foxtrotter mare! It fits great & she seems to like it a lot!

I love the fit on my horse.

Quality product. My horse is much more comfortable.

ABSOLUTELY LOVE THESE! I have two draft ponies - a Norwegian Fjord and a Gypsy Vanner. The Fjord, especially, is difficult to fit because he's short of 'fluffy' (read that as fat) and, as a result, his shoulders don't keep the saddle from sliding too far to the front when I'm riding. So, on the advice of my coach, I bought one of these for Bennie! Voila! He's comfortable and no more 'saddle slide'. It's also a very comfortable girth so I bought one for my Gypsy (even though he's at a great weight and not fat like my Fjord.) The girths are a little pricey and I'm usually very cost conscious so you know that I have to be totally in love with these girths to spend that kind of money on them.