GIRTH STRAP DEVICE

摘要

A girth strap device is provided which includes an elongate extensible strap or band (1;11) adapted to extend around the chest of an animal and attachments (3;20) for attaching the strap (1;11) to an article, such as a saddle (4) for holding the strap or band (1;11) in tension. The girth strap includes a tension indicator (5;15) which allows a user to apply the strap to the animal at a selected tension. In one preferred construction, the strap (1;11) is formed from layers of elastomeric fabric material, such as neoprene, which can stretch as the animal's chest expands during breathing and movement without causing discomfort to the animal. The device has particular application to racehorses and allows a user to apply a selected tension within an optimum range from about 10kg to about 12 kg which is sufficient to hold a saddle securely on the horse without excessive tension restricting the performance of the horse.