Is there a reason for using the first and second billet for your girth instead of the first and third?

Question

My grandmother tells me that it doesn't matter as long as you use the same billets on both sides (so the girth isn't lopsided). Is there a reason for using one over the other? :)

Answer 1

Actually, you should use the first and third billets. Here's why:

If you notice, on most saddles the first and second billets seem to be attatched to the same part of the saddle. This is because...well, that's it. They belong to the same part. The third one is connected elsewhere.

You use the first and third so that pressure is distributed evenly and so that there isn't too much strain on a certain part of the saddle.

So what is the second billet doing there? It's there in case of an emergency. In ye olde hunting days, if your billet broke then you were out of luck because you were probably miles from home. So, there needed to be a replacement somewhere- hence the second billet strap.

Answer 2

NEVER use the second and third billets if your girth only has two buckles!! this is because the webbing that attaches these two girth straps is shared.  If the webbing breaks, both will be torn off!!! however if you use the first and third, not only does it balance the saddle, it also helps the girth straps from completly breaking away. It is very important to ensure that the girth billets are the same on both sides as otherwise it distributes pressure unevenly across the horses's back. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

It balances teh girth out putting it on the first and third. Girths are wide and so putting it on the first and thrid lays it flat on the horses girth.

The second/middle becomes a back-up if the third or first break.

Answer 4

I've always heard it is ideal to use the 1st & 3rd and the 2nd is there for temporary use in case one of these breaks while you're riding.  Someone once told me that you can use the 1st + 2nd or the 1st + 3rd but NEVER use the 2nd + 3rd on a regular basis -- because they are both connected to the foundation of the saddle at the same place.

Answer 5

The middle one is in case one breaks.

Answer 6

It is so that there is a safety billet. I do my second on up on top of one of the others on the hole below.

Answer 7

The first and third, since they are more spread apart than the first and second or second and third, helps prevent the buckles from rubbing together, and helps keep your fingers from getting pinched between the metal buckles. The one in the middle is only supposed to be an extra in case one of the other two breaks.

Answer 8

Your grandmother is right, and you must use the same two billets on both sides.  The only reason the first and third might be better is that it gives a slightly wider base at each end of the girth, which might spread out the pressure more evenly.  It also keeps your buckles from overlapping and causing a bump under your saddle flap.  Those are pretty weak reasons, but a few that might possibly make one set slightly better than the other set.

Answer 9

On every saddle i have seen that has 3 girth points (which you seem to call billets??) its because the holes punched into the 1st and 3rd are spaced differently to the holes in the 2nd so that you can use different types of girths on the saddle.. i have also heard that the 1st and 3rd go over the tree and are more supportive and distribute the "hold" better... i have not heard anything about the 2nd point being a safety point... more so you can use a three point girth if you wish or so you can use a sircingle or other girthing divice... i would like to hear from a saddler about this...

hope that helps.. :)

Answer 10

The construction of an English saddle places the first girth billet on a single reinforced strap which is anchored to the tree. The second and third are both connected to the same reinforced an anchored strap.

http://www.bettersaddles.co.uk/saddle_co...

So, in theory you fasten to either the first and second or first and third so that you have a safety fallback if the anchoring on either is faulty or damaged.

The practice of fastening on the first and third is more to allow for the width of the girth to spread the pressure over a larger area on the horse and to prevent discomfort due to pinching etc.

Answer 11

it balances it out. if you look at it, the girth is wider than just the area of the first and second. you need to use the third for comfortness. i think theres 3 so when soldiers used to go out to war and the girth straps snapped, they have another one. this also remains true today, so if there is too much pressure on one of the straps, theres a third for emergencies. i ride English and my saddle pad has a strap on it that you connect to the second girth strap to keep the saddle pad from slipping back.

hope i helped!

amber

Answer 12

I always use first and third,  thats just the way I was taught.  and the safty tie on my pad goes around the second.

Answer 13

I believe the three billets allow for some flexibility in the placement of the girth, so that you can accommodate the horse's natural girth line.  When you look at your horse's girth area, without tack, you'll see where the indentation lays.  Some horse's girth line is a bit forward, and some is further back from the elbow.  You want to place the girth at the natural girth line, as that is where it will "try" to go on it's own once you start riding.

Answer 14

I don't believe there is really a reason, but I'm not sure. I know I have always been told to use first and third. Hmmm. Now you have me curious too. I've been told that the second billot is a "safety billot", used if something goes wrong with the first or third.

Answer 15

I was told that the first and third go completely over the saddle.  I don't know if thats true, I put it on the first and second, and nothing has ever happened.