The Equi-Soft girth is a revolutionary answer to girthing discomfort. While everyone has spent significant time perfecting saddle design, little has been done to improve the girth over the centuries. The root cause of discomfort is the constriction caused by girthing which reduces circulation and decreases the range of motion of underlying musculature.
Various methods have been employed to mitigate girth pressure over the years such as elastic on one or both ends, mohair, string, and neoprene. Proper saddle construction and fit has lessened the need to over tighten a girth. In conjunction with proper saddle fit, all of these products provided relief by limiting the amount we can tighten the girth. Still, none of these products have effectively dealt with the root cause.
The Equi-Soft girth, when properly adjusted, effectively deals with the constriction by giving in all directions and markedly reducing the tension. This frees the underlying musculature, allows better circulation, and decreases the restriction of motion of the gut. As respiration is enhanced and the horse experiences less discomfort, pulse rate has been shown to be reduced during exercise. Since the muscles are less restricted, lateral flexibility is enhanced as well as the horse’s ability to employ the external obliques, serratus and other abdominal muscles necessary to support the topline. This is manifested in greater extension of the foreleg and more active employment of the hind quarters.
