[NorthernMama]

Just bought a neoprene aussie /stock saddle girth. Took it out to the barn tonight to check the fit and in the process noticed it has, on one end only, a strap about 30 inches long with holes in it. This extra strap is sewed on between the two buckles and extends upwards toward the saddle. Looks like it should go through a buckle on the saddle, but there is no such thing on mine. My old girth didn't have this. What is it for? Should I just cut it off?

 

[Indyhorse]

Just bought a neoprene aussie /stock saddle girth. Took it out to the barn tonight to check the fit and in the process noticed it has, on one end only, a strap about 30 inches long with holes in it. This extra strap is sewed on between the two buckles and extends upwards toward the saddle. Looks like it should go through a buckle on the saddle, but there is no such thing on mine. My old girth didn't have this. What is it for? Should I just cut it off?

It would be for an overgirth on an aussie stock type saddle. They have a ring you buckle it through on one end, and there should be a buckle the over girth would fit through on the other.

If your saddle doesn't have an overgirth, or if you don't want to use it, than just fold the extra it down or tuck it under, or cut it off on the girth.

 

[Curly_Horse_CMT]

Yeah, when I got my Aussie I was confused by that as well Then I learned about the overgirth and why they have it. Not too hard to figure out once you get the hang of it.

 

[NorthernMama]

Overgirth? Can anyone send me to a picture link? I know I don't have one, but maybe I should?

 

[wild_spot]

It's actually called a surcingle. It's for extra security and to make stock saddles legal in competitions where you must have two points of security - Such as polocrosse and PC in Australia.

This is my saddle when I first got it (hence the leather looks very stiff). This shot shows how the surcingle sits over the seat of the saddle and then threads through slits in the skirts so that is can attach to the girth. It has one end with holes that you use as the second girth point on one side, and the other side has a ring - This is where the strap on the girth comes in. You thread it up through the ring and back down to buckle, so you have some leverage to get it tight enough.

Here is a shot from further away - This is the side with the ring, hence only one girth point can be seen.

And the other side - You can see that the surcingle has come down and buckled into the girth just like a normal girth point.

What you can't see in these pictures because the saddle has never been ridden in and isn't broken in - There is an indent in the seat made for the surcingle to sit in, so it isn't uncomfortable while riding. It also sits over the top of the small flap protecting the stirrup leathers.

 

[QOS]

I like your saddle!!!

 

[wild_spot]

Thanks! Me too - After riding in wintecs my whole life, a custom made leather stock saddle is like riding a cloud :]

 

[NorthernMama]

OK, well then I DO have an overgirth / surcingle. Mine has both ends with punched leather though, no ring. That explains it. I will keep the extra strap in case I end up replacing my surcingle, which after oiling it tonight, I realized is in pretty rough shape

Thanks.