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The best way to check a Shetland pony’s girth area for saddle sores

Shetland ponies may be small, but their dense coats and sensitive skin still need careful attention. A saddle that suits a larger pony can rub behind the elbow, especially during long rides, wet weather or sudden changes in rider weight.

Saddle sores can begin as a tender patch or broken hairs before anyone notices a wound. The best way to check the girth area is to combine visual inspection with careful palpation, before and after exercise, rather than relying on how the pony moves.

This matters especially when buying a pony with little riding history. A calm temperament cannot hide poor tack fit, and a clean-looking coat may conceal tenderness developing beneath the girth.

Why the girth area needs close attention

Pressure, moisture and movement combine to irritate the skin behind the foreleg. The girth can pinch a fold during a stride, while a saddle that sits slightly forward may drag the girth sideways. A sturdy Shetland is not immune to this kind of damage.

Australian conditions add different risks. Humid summers around Brisbane can leave sweat trapped under tack, wet winters in Gippsland encourage muddy skin folds, and hot, dry weather in Adelaide or Perth can make dust cling to the girth. Clean, dry skin is much easier to assess.

Tack also varies across Australian riding disciplines. An English saddle relies on a conventional girth, whereas many stock saddles use a fob, flap or breastcollar rig. Each arrangement can distribute pressure differently, so inspect the actual contact points rather than assuming all girth problems look the same.

How to inspect the girth area properly

Work on level ground with the pony calm and securely held. Stand beside the pony, never directly behind it, and use clean hands. Before riding, brush away dirt and dried sweat, undo the girth and look along both sides of the girth line, particularly behind the foreleg.

Next, feel carefully with your fingertips. Cover the area from just behind the elbow to the barrel, noting any warmth, swelling, dampness, crusts or tenderness. Compare both sides, because a small rub can be easier to feel than see. Broken or flattened hairs often appear before an open sore.

Remove the saddle and inspect the equipment that touched the pony. Look for a rolled edge, uneven padding, a sharp buckle, a stretched girth hole or a girth that has distorted. Also check the saddle pad and rug, since folds, wrinkles and damp fabric can create pressure that the pony itself cannot show you.

Recognising early rubs and saddle sores

An early rub may cause redness, a raised area, missing hairs or a dull patch in the coat. A pony might flinch when the girth is fastened, shift its weight, or resist being saddled. These signs are not conclusive, but they justify a closer inspection and an adjustment to tack.

A weeping area, crusting, broken skin, marked swelling or persistent tenderness needs veterinary attention. Do not keep riding through obvious pain, and avoid applying unprescribed powders or creams that could irritate the skin further. Lameness, fever or a hot, swollen patch warrant prompt advice from an equine vet.

Not every sore under tack comes from the saddle alone. Foot imbalance, a sudden change in exercise, an ill-fitting girth or a rider’s altered balance can alter pressure. If the skin looks normal, reassess the whole setup and the pony’s gait rather than simply enlarging the girth.

Finding Possible explanation Sensible response
Clear skin and an unbroken coat No obvious irritation at this check Continue monitoring, especially after longer rides
Redness, warmth or tenderness Pressure or friction needs attention Clean and dry the area, adjust tack and reassess
Broken hairs, crusting or weeping Rubbing has damaged the skin Stop saddle use and arrange a veterinary check
Swelling, severe pain, lameness or fever Infection or a more serious injury Seek prompt veterinary advice

Getting the saddle and girth fit right

Choose the girth by measurement, not by the words miniature, midi or standard. Australian tack is commonly sold in inches while body measurements may be recorded in centimetres, so convert carefully and check the maker’s sizing guidance. A close fit at the withers should not pinch the elbow or leave the saddle able to rock.

Coat and rug thickness change the fit too. A pony tacked up bare in January may need different padding from the same pony wearing a winter rug in July. Shetland ponies often carry a thick winter coat, which can disguise rubs until the coat thins or is clipped.

An experienced saddle fitter, riding instructor or qualified tack maker can spot problems that an owner has stopped noticing. Use someone independent where possible, especially for a newly bought pony. Tell the fitter the pony’s usual workload, rider weight, saddle type and whether any soreness has already appeared.

Buying advice for Australian pony buyers

Ask the seller for photographs of the pony tacked up and undressed, plus the saddle and girth used for normal riding. Find out whether the pony is ridden bareback, how many hours a week it exercises, and whether the owner has seen marks behind the elbow. Registration papers, microchip details, vaccination history and a veterinary pre-purchase examination are sensible safeguards.

Local buying often involves agents and equine transport firms rather than a simple handover. Pony Club and agricultural shows around Tamworth, Orange or Adelaide let buyers meet a seller, although seeing a pony at a show is not a substitute for examining its back and tack history. Before committing, check the sale terms, transport arrangements and insurance conditions.

Sale language deserves attention too. Australian adverts may say “POA”, “friendly” or “bombproof”, but those words do not document soundness or saddle history. UK-based sale listings can also involve import permits, quarantine and specialist transport, so seek advice on the rules before paying a deposit. Broader buying context from pony market research is useful, but the individual pony’s records and veterinary findings should carry more weight.

A practical routine for every ride

Make the girth check part of grooming, not an occasional concern. A quick look before exercise and a more thorough palpation afterwards will reveal changes early, especially in ponies that work regularly or travel to shows.

For a sale pony, agree on a trial period with the seller and arrange a veterinary assessment before long rides. Record the tack used, keep the girth correctly adjusted and involve an experienced rider if the pony has had an unsettled saddle or girth history.