Fairfax Girth Fitting
To achieve maximum benefit from the Fairfax Performance Girth, it needs to be fitted correctly. Follow these guidelines:
1. Size
i. What size?
Fairfax Performance Girths are measured in the standard way - buckle end to buckle end. As they are lined with Prolite, they can be thicker than some so we recommend customers go for one size larger than they currently use.
Narrow gauge
less than 20cm
Standard gauge
22-24cm
ii. Standard or Narrow Gauge?
Narrow gauge girths are designed specifically to fit horses (and most ponies) with a narrower rib cage. Measure the flat area between the horse’s elbows. If it measures less than 20cm, your horse needs the narrow gauge.
If you don’t have a tape measure, try using a sweat scraper. If it won’t fit between the front legs, the horse is a narrow gauge fit. Or, if the palm of your hand lays flat between the front legs, the horse is more likely to be a standard fit.
Horses with a forward girth groove will also benefit from the narrow gauge.If your horse has wrinkly skin behind his elbows, opt for the narrow gauge version.
iii. Don't mind the gap
It is not uncommon for there to be a gap at the front edge of the girth between the leather and the horse’s sternum, particularly when the horse is standing still.
This is part of the design and the front edge of the girth is not supposed to fit tightly against the horse’s skin. The girth has a Prolite cushioned ‘buffer zone’ which ‘floats’ and allows the muscles of the chest to move, instead of being blocked by a hard edge of a normal girth.
2. Fitting
i. Face front
The front of the girth is clearly indicated. Make sure you fit the girth with the curved section facing forward (towards the forelimbs).
Narrow Gauge
Elbow Clearance
Standard Gauge
Elbow Clearance
ii. Avoid the elbows
When fitting the Performance Girth, the aim is to get the buckles away from the pressure-sensitive area behind the elbows – so fit the longest length possible.
As a general rule, on a short girth (dressage or monoflap saddle) fit the girth’s top edge as close to the bottom edge of the saddlecloth as possible when fully tightened. Obviously, this depends on the size of the saddlecloth, so an alternative guide on a dressage saddle is to have just two billet holes remaining on both sides of the saddle.
3. Ensure symettry
Always girth up evenly on both sides.
4. Let the buckles take the strain
Do NOT use the leather keeper
DO use the buckles
Always thread the billet through the buckle before pulling the girth up. Do not use the leather keepers above the buckle to do the girth up - you will break them!