Foregirths, Point Billets, and Billets Off the Point: Why and When?

Foregirths, Point Billets, and Billets Off the Point: What Riders Need to Know

When it comes to saddle fit, riders are often faced with a dizzying number of options and “quick fixes” to keep the saddle in place. But not every piece of equipment is horse-friendly, and some can cause more harm than good. Three of the most talked-about (and sometimes misunderstood) stabilizing options in English saddles are the foregirth, the point billet, and billets set off the point.

The goal of this article is simple: to explain what each one does, why riders reach for them, and what they really mean for your horse’s comfort and performance.

The Foregirth: A Misguided Quick Fix

The foregirth was originally intended for very specific situations—typically for overweight ponies ridden by children—when both a crupper and better management had failed to keep the saddle from sliding forward. Somehow, though, it has crept into broader use.

The issue is that a foregirth sits directly in front of the saddle, pressing into the withers and across sensitive structures in the shoulders and topline. Instead of supporting healthy movement, it blocks the very muscles and ligaments the horse needs to lift its back and swing the shoulders freely. In disciplines like dressage, where the goal is lightness on the forehand, this is the exact opposite of what we want.

If a foregirth is being used, it’s usually a red flag. The real issue is almost always poor saddle fit or incorrect placement—not a need for another strap.

Example: A foregirth strapped across the wither and shoulder region.

Point Billets: Helpful, Harmful, or Unavoidable?

Point billets are attached directly to the tree point of the saddle and are designed to stop saddles from creeping forward. In theory, they hold the saddle in place. In reality, they often do so at a cost: the girth tension pulls the saddle down and into the horse’s scapula, restricting shoulder movement and creating soreness.

The tree point — where the point billet attaches.

That said, there are exceptions. On horses with mutton withers or downhill builds, there’s no clear shoulder pocket for the saddle to sit in. In these cases, a point billet may be unavoidable. But because there is no pocket to “lock” into, the point billet doesn’t necessarily cause the same degree of restriction as it does on a more defined shoulder.

On rounder horses, a point billet may be the only workable choice.

Billets Off the Point: A More Balanced Alternative

Billets set just behind the point—often in a V-shaped configuration—tend to offer a more balanced and horse-friendly option. By shifting the line of pull back, they reduce pressure on the scapula and allow the shoulders to move more freely, while still keeping the saddle stable.

Different billet arrangements: straight billet, V billet, and point billet.

In practice, many fitters will add a keeper or cup hole for the front billet. This small adjustment creates stability in the girth and billets without clamping down on the shoulder. It’s a simple way to improve security while still respecting the horse’s biomechanics.

A billet set just off the point to allow freer shoulder rotation.

Left: Billet off the point. Right: Billet directly on the point of the tree.

Takeaway for Riders

When you’re looking at billets and girthing systems, remember this:

  • The foregirth should never be a go-to solution—it masks fit problems and creates restriction.

  • Point billets can stop saddle slip but often restrict movement—except in special cases like downhill or mutton-withered horses where they may be the only workable option.

  • Billets off the point generally offer a more balanced alternative, especially when paired with thoughtful tweaks like keepers or cup holes.

At the end of the day, no strap or gadget can replace a saddle that truly fits. If your saddle needs multiple “fixes” to stay in place, the real solution is almost always a proper fitting, not another piece of equipment.

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