If you watch show jumping competitions, you have surely noticed that most horses have a wide leather flap fastened to the girth under the belly. This is the so-called stud guard (belly guard). Although to a layman it may look like an extra, heavy piece of tack, for a horse jumping obstacles it is what a chest protector is for a hockey player – a barrier against painful injury.
Why is an ordinary, narrow girth often not enough in jumping? The answer lies in the mechanics of the jump and in the horse’s equipment.
1. Studs – the sternum’s greatest enemies
The main reason for using a stud guard girth is studs. During competitions or training on grass (and often on sand too), we screw metal pegs into the horseshoes to prevent slipping.
During the jump, when the horse strongly folds its front legs under its chest so as not to catch the poles, the shoes with studs are centimetres from the sternum. At the moment of landing or a sudden take-off, the horse can strike a hoof straight into its own belly. Without the protection of the guard, sharp studs can cause deep wounds, painful bruises and even fractures of the sternum.
2. Pressure distribution under heavy load
During the jump the saddle and rider are subject to enormous inertial forces. A jumping girth with a guard has a much larger contact surface with the horse’s body than a classic model.
- Comfort: The wide leather flap distributes pressure over a larger area of the chest.
- Stability: The guard stabilises the saddle, preventing it from sliding back during dynamic jumps, which is crucial for keeping the rider’s balance.
3. Not only studs – protection against a pole strike
Even if your horse does not wear studs, the guard acts as a shield. In the event of a mistake at an obstacle and hitting the belly against a pole (especially at oxer-type fences), the wide girth cushions the impact, protecting the sensitive internal organs and the sternum from mechanical injury.
4. When to start using a stud guard girth?
Many riders ask whether such equipment is necessary at lower levels.
- The rule is simple: If your horse strongly folds its front legs (“bascules”) and you use studs – a stud guard girth is a must regardless of the height of the obstacles.
- If the horse tends to knock its hooves against its belly during movement, the guard will protect it from pain that could discourage it from clean jumping.
Summary
A jumping girth with a guard is an investment in the horse’s health and confidence. A horse that once painfully struck its belly with studs may start to “knock” obstacles or refuse jumps out of fear of pain. By using a guard, you eliminate this risk, allowing the animal to focus solely on the task.
📦 Professional protection with Balotade leather
Our stud guard girths are made of high-quality cowhide that is hard enough to protect against impact and at the same time softly padded on the horse’s side. Equipped with strong elastic on both sides, they ensure breathing comfort even under heavy effort.
