A girth is used to attach your saddle or bareback pad to the horse's back. There are many models and lengths available and with or without elastic. The choice of a girth is determined by the shape of your horse, but also the type of bareback pad or saddle. With a dressage saddle or bareback pad, you use a dressage girth. These girths are usually short because the girth straps to which the girth attaches are long and come out under your pad or saddle. With a versatility saddle or jumping saddle, the girth straps are under the saddle blade. You then need a longer girth.