For “round” horses with a short back and broad ribcage or narrow chest. The special shape of this girth works with the shape of the ribs so that the girth cannot slip forwards.
The lambskin padding relieves strain, prevents slipping and avoids chafing and skin irritation. Mattes girths are unique thanks to details such as the narrow section around the elbows, SOFT-EDGE and POLY-FLEX® inserts. The choice of the right girth and ensuring it is correctly positioned are key to a happy horse and happy rider.
BEFORE CLICKING BUY
Mattes Sheepskin girths are unrivalled for their fluff!
The density of the sheepskin is so much that it aids in the distribution of even pressure but this does impact the length you will need.
Some Fun Facts:
Only 3% of wool produced is of this quality. Produced from only several farms in Australia.
Mattes are the only Equestrian business to use this type of sheepskin.
The natural fibre of sheep wool, under a microscope, looks like pine cones, with spines - (clever!) This not only gives strength to the structure of the wool fibre but also wicking properties - super clever.
The density of the wool used is unsurpassed. There are on average 8,000 fibres per 1 sq. cm. combined with the leather still attached gives additional weight baring support to your horse.
The sheepskin can take on 8x its own weight in moisture, that is some mighty amazing wicking properties - EIGHT TIMES!!!.
The density allows air to ventilate through the structures so the sheepskin is non heating as it gives room for the skin to breath.
So in Summary:
1. Additional Weight Distribution - Tick
2. Wicking Away Sweat - Tick
3. None Heating - Tick
It’s such a clever, and beautiful product - As Peter Mattes would say, “We can do anything, but if it doesn’t benefit or help the horse, then why would we”. What a clever chap he is… and a statement that is very fitting for the whole industry!
Girth shapes designed to help your horse stay comfortable, stable and secure.
Myth-Bust: They do not heat your horses back or belly, they provide airflow and wicking to keep your horses back and belly cool. All year round loveliness.
Fact: As much as I love fluff, those rolls at the back of the saddle pads are absolutely the bane of a saddle fitters life. Unless you can be sure that your saddle panel does not sit on that seam, you are risking a pressure point. DON’T DO IT!
Faux: The faux is a lovely option but it does not have any of the properties of real sheepskin. Created from plastics it’s heating. It’s formed in a straight tube so its structure is weaker and has no wicking properties. This is sad.