Size Guide
How to Measure your girth
- Firstly, your horse should be measured after work, this is to ensure that you get the correct measurement and not one distorted by your horse puffing out against the girth buckling.
- Always measure your girth length on a saddled and girthed horse, both sides of the girth must be buckled evenly.
- Using a soft tape measure, measure from the lower edge of the saddle flap on one side, to the same point on the other side,
then subtract 30cm. Always round it up to the next length.
Example
Measurement: 101cm
Subtract: 30cm = 71cm
Girth Length: 75cm
- Make sure that if your horse is touchy around the mid section, that you secure the assistance of someone to help you.
Which Girth Style do you need?
Anatomic Girth
This Girth shape suits horses with good confirmation where the girth sits far enough away from the horses elbow. The Girth is slightly cut back at the front and back in the elbow area. (strap is rotatable).
Asymmetric Girth
This Girth shape suits close coupled horses with less pronounced rib cages, where there is less distance from where the girth wants to sit and the elbows. This girth is severely cut back in front of the elbow area to compensate for this.
Crescent Girth
This Girth shape suits round horses with short backs and wide ribs or a narrow chest. The special shape of the girth absorbs the rib curvature so that it cannot slip forward.
Athletico Girth
This Girth shape suits horses with athletic, strong wedge shaped physique. The special shape of the girth prevents in almost all cases, any saddle slippage that may result in the girth sliding backwards.
Correct Girth Fitting
A Correctly fitted Girth will ensure the maximum comfort for your horse in both ensuring there is clearance through the elbow and ensuring your saddle stays in place. You should ensure enough clearance that the buckles do not catch on your horses elbow, additionally that the Mattes Girth Style you choose suits your horses conformation.
Delivery & Returns
This product is: short_order
Delivery timescales (short order)
Short Order items are made to order, but are supplied via the manufacturer’s international warehouse rather than being produced entirely from scratch. This can add a little extra transit time before the item reaches us for dispatch.
The delivery estimate shown on this product page is the best guide for your item. During peak periods (e.g. Christmas) timings can occasionally extend.
Returns & exchanges (short order)
Short Order items: are produced to your chosen specification and are therefore normally handled on an exchange basis where appropriate.
You have a 48-hour grace period after ordering to request changes. After that, the order is usually in production/processing and cannot be cancelled.
If you’re unsure about sizing or options, we strongly recommend using our consultation service before ordering. Full details are available in our Terms of Service.
Finance
Reviews (11)
11 reviews for Mattes Black Short Sheepskin Girth
Description
Description
Mattes Black Short Sheepskin Girth
Mattes sheepskin girths are known for their comfort, durability, and technical construction, with each design focused on reducing pressure and improving stability without unnecessary bulk. This range of slimline sheepskin girth forms part of Mattes’ short-order range that they keep stocked in their warehouse in Poland, offering faster availability while maintaining the same materials and build quality as their bespoke girths.
Lambskin lining and comfort
The black short sheepskin girth is lined with genuine Mattes lambskin, selected for its density, softness, and breathability. Lambskin helps regulate heat, reduces friction, and provides natural cushioning, making it particularly well suited to sensitive horses or those prone to girth rubs.
The lambskin lining is fully removable, allowing it to be washed or replaced as needed, helping to maintain hygiene and extend the life of the girth.
Pressure distribution and construction
Mattes girths are designed with integrated spreader plates to help distribute pressure evenly across the girth area. This reduces concentrated pressure points and allows the girth to sit securely without excessive tightening, supporting both comfort and saddle stability.
Premium leather is used throughout, with reinforced stitching and carefully finished edges to ensure long-term durability.
Slimline design
The slimline leather version is approximately 2 cm narrower than Mattes’ quilted girths, making it a popular choice for riders who want closer contact and less bulk behind the elbow. This design works particularly well with both mono-flap and dressage saddles and for horses with a narrower girth groove.
Short-order availability and options
The range of girths are held in selected configurations as stock in Mattes warehouse in Poland. They are available in black leather with a choice of Natural, Black, or Graphite lambskin, across a range of sizes and shapes.
If a specific size or shape is not available from the short-order range, the girth can still be ordered as a fully custom Mattes girth with a wider range of options and lead times.
For help choosing the correct Mattes girth shape for your horse, you can also refer to our Mattes Girth Guide, which explains the differences between slimline, asymmetric, crescent, and anatomical designs. If you are still not sure what style of girth would best fit your horse and would like us to recommend one, please complete our free girth consultation form.
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Nikki K –
Excellent service and speedy delivery
Elizabeth V D –
The girth itself is the highest quality girth I’ve ever had! Hands down. It is beautifully made. My horse, who is a very sensitive Arabian, is used to a Total Saddle Fit anatomical girth that has elastic in the center, allowing him to breathe more easily so tightening that girth is not a problem for him. He does try to nip at me when I put on this Mattes girth and I am assuming this is because it does not have that elastic in the center. I can’t think of any other reason why it would be an issue because the Mattes girth feels much more comfortable. I do girth it up slowly. However, I am very pleased to say that it doesn’t cause girth galls, like his old girth. After getting this girth with elastic on both sides, I was told that with the Smart saddle I am using that I should not have a girth with elastic. Sigh. You can’t win. I feel like the elastic on the Mattes has better tension than most girths with elastic, so I am not concerned. I will give the girth itself 5 stars, because my horse is a true princess and the pea. I am pleased that it doesn’t gall him like every other girth we’ve tried, it is beautiful, and comfortable for the horse.
One piece of constructive advice is that I was not clear how much of the sample detergent to use to clean the girth. The instructions are too small for my eyes! Also, I probably would have gone ahead and ordered a full bottle of the detergent with the girth if I had understood that it requires that to properly clean it. Otherwise, service was great. The girth arrived in good time considering it was shipped overseas. Thank you!
Pink Equine response
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful and detailed review it was lovely to read. We’re really pleased to hear that the Mattes girth is working well for your horse, especially as he’s so sensitive and has had trouble with other girths in the past.
You’re absolutely right about the elastic. Mattes design their girths differently from most others: if the elastic is too soft, it will eventually stretch and allow the girth to move, which can cause slipping or discomfort. Their approach is to build in just enough elasticity to make tightening easier, while still ensuring the girth stays stable and secure over time.
Thank you also for your feedback about the care instructions. We’re currently working on a set of clearer cleaning guidelines, which we’ll have printed and included with every order in the future. That should make it much easier to know exactly how to use the detergent and keep the girth or saddle pad in the best condition.
Alex F –
Thank you so much for your help your service has been brilliant
Claire M –
The girth I ordered took a little while to come from the manufacturer. I emailed Jonathan on a couple of occasions about the delay and received prompt replies with updates which I was very grateful for. I would recommend this company. Thank you. Chippenham Wiltshire. UK.
Rebecca L –
We LOVE the mattes girth, utter life saver and of course the sheepskin is beautiful quality and the horse is fully recovered from his girth gall issue. My girl groom, Lou, says she has used the cheaper ones with a fabric? girth rather than leather and that they were excellent too. Your kind and cheerful service is a tonic and you explained exactly why we couldn’t get this girth sooner!! The frustrations of horses 🥴. We will order a spare sheepskin soon in the natural but tbh this sheepskin washed like a dream and dried very quickly so not an issue yet!!
Many thanks
Rebecca
PS will get a photo soon but we are lambing at the moment and said horse is not remotely white as we are walking around like zombies due to feeding orphan lambs every 4 hours! Somerset, UK.
Rebecca S –
We’ve got it and it’s brilliant, thank you VERY much!!!!!
Devon, UK.
Reilly R –
Received my girth today, just perfect thank you. Herefordshire, UK.
David K –
I recently discovered Pink Equine whilst searching for a suitable girth to fit my horse. They had a wide range to choose from but with help from their guides I found the perfect fitting Mattes girth. Northamptonshire, UK.
Helen P –
Just to let you know I have received my girth and want to thank you for your help and advice on choosing the right one, it fits perfectly! California, USA.
Emma M –
Had one before I really love these girths, so comfortable for the horse. Kent, UK.