The StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth provides a freer range of motion for a horse's scapula. The girth's unique contour attaches to the billets farther back on a horses's body to prevent the saddle from being pulled forward into the shoulders.
The top of a horse's scapula rotates backward about 2 inches as the forelimb reaches forward. In many cases this can cause the scapula to run into the saddle tree. The StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth helps to keep the entire range of motion free by preventing the saddle from causing interference.
The StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth has a one-of-a-kind patented (US Patent No. D843,666) triangular center elastic that expands with the 1.5 cm chest expansion that horses experience while breathing (during walk & trot). The design also allows it to stretch in a more anatomically friendly way to contour to a horse's barrel and provide even contact over the sternum.
The StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth also comes with a removable and interchangeable liner (cover). This makes washing easier and gives you many more options. Now your one girth can easily be changed from leather, to neoprene, to fleece lining.
The StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth is deliberately contoured around the elbow to ensure a safe and comfortable ride.
Shoulder Relief Girths have been used at premier events like the Olympics, World Equestrian Games, Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event and more.
Here Amelia Newcomb and Kensington highlight their StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth.
If you don't love the StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth, send it back used for a full refund within 90 days.
How do I size a StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth?
The easiest way to get the correct size is to use your existing girth and order accordingly. All Shoulder Relief Girths measure true to size from buckle tip to buckle tip. If you are between sizes get the larger size.
For dressage girths be sure the buckles sit higher than the horse's elbow.
Where do I buy extra liners for my girth?
StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth liners peel on and off with a velcro attachment system, which makes changing liners quick and easy.
To buy more liners for your girth go here:
I heard contoured girths have uneven pressure. Is that true?
On some horses there are some brands of contoured girths that apply uneven pressure. However, the StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth's design has solved this problem.
The unique center elastic stretches in proportion to a horses's sternum shape, stretching slightly more at the rear edge of the girth, which alleviates the potential for pressure distribution problems.
Why don't I just set my saddle farther back on my horse instead of buying a special girth?
It's all about the billets - where they are on the horse and how they're angled.
A Shoulder Relief Girth makes the billets more perpendicular to the ground and prevents the billets from pulling the saddle forward.
Regardless of where a saddle is set on a horse, with a basic straight girth the saddle will be much more likely to be pulled forward over the first few minutes of a ride. This is because it creeps to the shortest distance around the horse's barrel, and in doing so can interfere with the shoulder's range of motion.
Offset from center to buckles redirects the billet line to keep the saddle off the shoulders.
A horse's chest expands 1.5 cm while breathing. Triangular center elastic allows for this expansion and reduces restriction.
Triangular center elastic contours to the horse's natural barrel shape and provides even girth contact while in work.
Peak pressure in regular girths is at the elbow. The cutback sides move girth away from horse’s elbow to alleviate this pressure.
