The girth is one of those pieces of equipment that rarely gets the attention it deserves. It sits quietly beneath the saddle, doing one of the most important jobs in the entire tack room — keeping the saddle safely and securely in place — and yet it is frequently chosen on the basis of habit, guesswork, or because it came with the saddle. Getting the length wrong can have consequences ranging from minor discomfort to significant welfare concerns and safety issues.

This guide walks you through how to measure correctly, what to consider for different saddle types, and when to seek professional advice.

Why girth length matters

A girth that is too short requires the saddle’s girth straps to be fastened on the lower holes, placing the buckles directly beneath the rider’s leg and creating a pressure point that causes discomfort for both horse and rider. Over time, this can lead to girth galls, skin soreness, and an uneven or unstable saddle position.

A girth that is too long requires the girth straps to be fastened on the top holes, which reduces the security of the fastening and places the buckles too high — potentially interfering with the saddle flap and the rider’s position. An excessively long girth may also fail to provide adequate tension, creating a saddle that moves and shifts under the rider.

The correct girth length allows the buckles to sit comfortably in the middle of the girth straps — approximately on the third or fourth hole of a standard set of straps — providing both security and comfort.

Understanding girth types and sizing

Different girth designs are sized differently and are used with different saddle types. The appropriate length for one type is entirely different from the appropriate length for another.

Standard shaped girths are the most commonly used type for general purpose and jumping saddles. They are typically measured in inches in the UK, ranging from approximately 38 to 54 inches, with some manufacturers offering additional sizes for particularly narrow or broad horses. Standard girths are longer because they attach to the full-length girth straps of a general purpose or jumping saddle, with the buckles sitting approximately halfway down the saddle flap.

Dressage girths — sometimes called short girths or Lonsdale girths — are significantly shorter and are designed for use with dressage saddles, which have longer girth straps that extend further down the saddle flap. They are typically measured in centimetres, ranging from approximately 45cm to 75cm. Because dressage saddles have longer girth straps, the shorter girth allows the buckles to sit well below the saddle flap and away from the rider’s leg. Never use a dressage girth with a standard saddle or a standard girth with a dressage saddle — the proportions are entirely different and the result will be either a dangerously insecure fastening or buckles in entirely the wrong position.

Girths with elastic ends require slightly different consideration, as the elastic will extend under the horse’s weight and movement. A girth that appears to be the correct length at rest may behave differently once the horse is moving. When measuring for an elastic-ended girth, err slightly on the shorter side of any borderline measurement.

What you’ll need

• A soft tape measure — the type used for dressage or sewing is ideal
• A note of your saddle type — general purpose, jumping, or dressage — as this determines which type of girth you need
• A helper if possible, particularly if your horse is young or lively
• A level, safe surface on which to work

Step 1 — Identify your saddle type and girth style

Before you measure, confirm which type of saddle you are fitting the girth to. A general purpose or jumping saddle requires a standard length girth; a dressage saddle requires a short dressage girth.

If you are unsure which type of saddle you have, look at the length of the girth straps. Long straps that extend well below the saddle flap indicate a dressage saddle requiring a short girth. Shorter straps that sit within or just below the flap indicate a general purpose or jumping saddle requiring a standard girth.

If you have both a dressage saddle and a general purpose saddle, measure for each separately — the required girth lengths will be different.

Step 2 — Place the saddle correctly

Place your saddle on your horse’s back in its correct fitted position. Do not attempt to measure for a girth without the saddle in place — the position of the saddle directly affects where the girth will sit and therefore what length is required. Ensure the saddle is sitting level and in its correct position before you begin measuring.

Step 3 — Locate the girth point

The girth point is the lowest point of your horse’s belly in the girth area — roughly behind the horse’s elbow, where the girth naturally wants to sit when the saddle is correctly positioned. On most horses, the girth point sits approximately a hand’s width behind the back of the elbow.

Run your hand down the horse’s side from the girth straps toward the belly to find the natural groove or lowest point where the girth will settle — this is your girth point.

Step 4 — Measure for a standard girth

Hold one end of your tape measure against the bottom hole of the girth strap on the near side of the saddle. Run the tape down the horse’s side, under the belly to the girth point, and back up the off side to the bottom hole of the girth strap on the off side. Note this measurement in centimetres.

From this total, subtract the distance taken up by the girth straps when fastened at the middle holes. As a general guide, fastening on the third hole of a standard set of straps uses approximately 15 to 20cm of strap on each side — so subtract approximately 30 to 40cm from your total measurement.

The resulting figure gives you an approximate girth length in centimetres. To convert to inches for standard girth sizing, divide by 2.54.

Step 5 — Measure for a dressage girth

The process is the same, but because the girth straps on a dressage saddle are longer, the calculation differs slightly. Hold the tape measure at the bottom of the girth strap on the near side, run it down to the girth point and back up to the bottom of the girth strap on the off side. Note this measurement in centimetres.

Subtract the amount of strap used when fastened at the middle holes — for a dressage saddle with long straps, this is typically a larger figure, so subtract approximately 40 to 50cm from your total measurement. The resulting figure gives you an approximate dressage girth length in centimetres.

Step 6 — Check the result and allow for adjustment

Once you have your approximate measurement, check it against the standard sizing available for the type of girth you are purchasing. If your measurement falls between two standard sizes, consider the following:

• If your horse is currently in good condition at their ideal weight, choose the smaller of the two sizes
• If your horse is likely to gain weight or condition, or if they are particularly round or broad through the barrel, choose the larger size
• If the girth has elastic ends, bear in mind that the elastic will extend under use and err toward the shorter size

Always check that the girth you choose will allow the buckles to sit comfortably in the middle of the girth straps when the saddle is correctly girthed up. If the buckles are consistently at the very top or very bottom of the straps, the girth is the wrong length.

Additional considerations

Horse conformation makes a significant difference to girth choice. Horses with a round, barrel-shaped ribcage — commonly seen in cobs, natives, and good doers — will typically require a longer girth than a horse of similar height with a more athletic, narrower build. Horses with a well-defined girth groove will hold the girth more securely in the correct position, whilst horses with a flatter belly may need a shaped or anatomical girth to help keep it in the right place. Horses that are short in the girth area — with a particularly short distance between the elbow and the last rib — may be more comfortable in a shorter, more shaped girth that avoids the sensitive elbow area.

Girth shape also matters. A straight girth suits many horses well but can press on the elbow area in horses with a short girth groove. An anatomically shaped or curved girth is designed to curve away from the elbow, providing more clearance in this sensitive area and distributing pressure more evenly across the belly — this design is often more comfortable for horses prone to girth galls or those with a shorter girth groove.

Signs your girth may not be the correct length or design

• Your horse shows discomfort or anxiety when being girthed up — pinning ears, swishing tail, biting, or moving away
• The girth buckles consistently sit at the very top or very bottom of the girth straps
• The girth moves forward or backward during work and fails to stay in position
• Your horse develops girth galls or areas of soreness or hair loss in the girth area
• The saddle shifts or moves during work despite the girth being correctly fastened
• Your horse shows asymmetry in movement or appears restricted through the shoulder or elbow area

If you notice any of these signs, review your girth length and design and consider seeking professional advice. Girth fit and length is always assessed as part of a saddle fitting consultation at The Fitted Horse.

Key takeaways

✔ The correct girth length allows the buckles to sit in the middle of the girth straps — on approximately the third or fourth hole

✔ Standard and dressage girths are sized completely differently — never use one with the wrong saddle type

✔ Always measure with the saddle correctly positioned on the horse’s back, not without it

✔ Horses with round, barrel-shaped conformation typically need a longer girth than their height alone would suggest

✔ If your buckles are consistently at the very top or very bottom of the straps, your girth is the wrong length

✔ Girth discomfort is always worth investigating — it is often a length or design issue rather than a horse behaviour issue

Want girth fit assessed as part of a full consultation?

Girth length and design is always assessed as part of every saddle fitting at The Fitted Horse — because girth fit is part of the saddle fit picture, not an afterthought.

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Further reading

• Why a correctly fitting saddle is critical
• Signs your saddle doesn’t fit
• How to clean and store tack correctly through the winter months
• The compromise problem of traditional saddles