Getting the right girth size is not simply a case of choosing a length based on your horse’s height, breed or the size another similar horse wears.
Two horses of exactly the same height can have very different body shapes, chest depths, girth grooves and saddle setups. The length of the saddle’s girth straps also affects the size required.
The safest approach is simple: measure your own horse with the saddle you intend to use.
This guide explains how to measure a horse for a girth, be it a long girth, short, dressage girth or Western cinch, as well as what to check if your existing girth is too long or too short.
There is no reliable formula that says a horse of a particular height needs a particular girth size.
A 16hh Thoroughbred, a 16hh cob and a 16hh warmblood may all require very different girth lengths because their ribcages, chest shapes and saddle positions are different.
The saddle itself matters too. Different saddles have different billet or girth strap lengths, so changing saddles can change the girth size you need even if the horse has not changed at all.
For that reason, we strongly recommend measuring the horse rather than relying on a generic height or breed chart.
You may come across girth sizing charts that suggest a particular girth length based mainly on the horse’s height.
We would not recommend relying on these.
Height tells you how tall the horse is at the withers. It does not tell you the circumference of the horse’s ribcage, the depth of the chest, the length of the saddle’s girth straps or where the horse’s natural girth groove sits.
Choosing a girth from height alone could result in the buckles sitting too low, too close to the elbow, or in a position where the girth is unable to work as intended.
Always measure the horse with the saddle fitted rather than guessing from height or breed.
If you already have a girth that fits reasonably well, it can be a useful starting point.
For example, if a short girth is sitting too low and the buckles are close to the elbow, you may need a slightly longer girth so the buckles sit higher and further away from the horse’s movement.
If the girth is already fitting correctly, measure it from buckle end to buckle end and use that as a reference when ordering a replacement.
A short girth is commonly used with dressage or mono flap saddles and general purpose saddles with long girth straps.
The horse should be saddled before measuring.
Measure from the bottom of the girth straps on one side, underneath the horse, to the corresponding position on the other side.
The aim is for the finished girth to sit with its buckles high enough to remain clear of the horse’s elbow and the sensitive area immediately behind it.
You do not want the buckles sitting very low against the horse’s side.
With Mattes short girths, the girth should be fitted evenly on both sides, with the buckles positioned as high as practical while still allowing normal adjustment.
Our dedicated Mattes short girth size guide contains the exact measuring instructions and available sizes.
If you are unsure whether there is enough space behind the elbow, our guide to horse girth and elbow clearance explains what to look for.
Long girths are normally used with GP, jumping and event saddles with shorter girth straps.
Again, the saddle should be fitted before you measure.
Measure from the appropriate girth strap position on one side, underneath the horse, to the same position on the opposite side.
The final girth should allow the buckles to sit in a comfortable position above the widest part of the horse’s side rather than low against the elbow.
The girth should also be long enough that the buckle area is not sitting directly over the horse’s most sensitive lower ribcage area.
Our Mattes long girth size guide provides the specific measuring method and size options.
The measuring principle for a Western girth or cinch is similar to that of an English short girth, although the attachment points are different.
The Western saddle should be fitted to the horse before measuring.
Measure from the lower edge of the saddle’s rigging attachment on one side, underneath the horse, to the corresponding point on the other side.
You then allow for the distance required between the cinch and the rigging hardware so that the cinch sits in the correct position without the rings or buckles interfering with the elbow.
Different manufacturers use slightly different formulas, so it is important to follow the measuring guide for the actual cinch you intend to buy rather than applying one brand’s formula to another.
Our Mattes Western girth size guide explains the measuring method specifically for Mattes Western girths.
Yes.
This is one of the most important parts of getting the measurement right.
The saddle determines where the girth straps or rigging points sit, and those positions directly affect the girth length required.
Measuring the horse without the saddle may give you a circumference measurement, but it does not tell you where the girth will actually attach once the saddle is fitted.
For that reason, we recommend measuring the horse in the actual saddle you intend to use.
Yes, the girth should be in a realistic riding position rather than hanging loosely.
The aim is to reproduce the position the girth will sit in when the horse is actually ridden.
You do not need to over-tighten the girth, but it should be secure enough that the saddle and girth are sitting where they naturally belong.
We cover girth tension separately in our guide to how tight a horse’s girth should be.
If you do not have an existing girth, the safest method is still to measure the horse with the saddle fitted.
Use a soft measuring tape and follow the line the girth will take underneath the horse between the relevant girth straps or saddle rigging points.
Do not simply measure around the horse’s barrel without reference to the saddle, because that can give a misleading result.
Once you have the measurement, compare it with the specific manufacturer’s sizing instructions for the girth you intend to buy.
When measuring the girth itself, most manufacturers quote the length from buckle end to buckle end.
However, construction varies.
A heavily padded girth, a shaped girth and a straight leather girth may all sit slightly differently even if the nominal length printed on the label is the same.
Some manufacturers also recommend choosing a different size when moving from one model to another because the thickness or design of the girth affects the finished fit.
For that reason, do not assume that a 60cm girth from one manufacturer will fit exactly the same as a 60cm girth from another.
No.
Manufacturers broadly agree that the horse should be measured with the saddle fitted, but the exact measuring instructions can vary.
Some measure from particular buckle or ring positions. Others recommend subtracting a fixed amount from the total measurement to allow for straps or rigging hardware.
This is particularly noticeable with Western cinches, where different manufacturers may recommend different deductions from the total rigging-to-rigging measurement.
This does not necessarily mean one method is wrong. It usually reflects differences in girth construction and the position the manufacturer expects its product to sit.
The important lesson is to follow the measuring instructions for the specific girth you are buying rather than applying a generic formula to every brand.
If your measurement falls between two available sizes, do not automatically choose the nearest one without considering where the finished girth will sit.
Look at the position of the buckles, available elbow clearance and the amount of adjustment available on the saddle’s girth straps.
With a short girth, choosing the slightly longer size may allow the buckles to sit higher and further away from the elbow.
With a long girth, you still need to make sure the buckles do not end up excessively high or interfere with the saddle flap.
The correct choice depends on the individual horse and saddle rather than simply rounding the measurement up or down.
It can.
A shaped girth may follow the horse’s body differently from a straight girth, particularly on horses with a forward girth groove, large shoulders or limited elbow clearance.
That means changing girth shape is not always as simple as ordering the same length you have used previously.
Once the girth is fitted, you should still check that it sits comfortably in the horse’s natural girth area and does not interfere with the elbow.
Our guide to how a horse girth should fit explains what to check once the girth is on the horse.
Some of the most common measuring errors are surprisingly simple.
It is possible to have the correct girth length and still have the wrong girth for the horse.
The girth may be pulled forwards by a forward girth groove, sit too close to the elbow or simply be the wrong shape for the horse’s conformation.
Measuring is therefore only one part of the fitting process.
Once the girth is fitted, look at its position, stability and the horse’s available elbow clearance as well as the length itself.
If you are unsure what size to order, we offer a free girth consultation.
Send us photographs of your horse saddled and girthed and we can look at the current girth length, buckle position, girth groove, elbow clearance and overall fit.
We can then suggest the most appropriate girth size and shape for your horse.
There is no obligation to buy anything.
If you prefer to speak to someone, feel free to call us on 01386 833050 or message us on WhatsApp – we’re happy to walk you through it.
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