What is a flank cinch?

The back, or flank, cinch is more than a decorative accessory for a Western saddle. It's a safety piece that stabilizes the saddle by attaching with aid of rear billets and a leather hobble strap to the front cinch.

How tight should a flank cinch be?

Ideal: A properly fitting back cinch should fit around your horse snugly, but not be tight. There should still be enough space to slide your hand in flat in between the cinch and the horse's stomach.

What is the purpose of a back cinch on a saddle?

If the back cinch is fastened to be snug but not uncomfortably tight, it helps stabilize the back of the saddle (horizontally and vertically) during travel. This facilitates a balanced, comfortable fit of the saddle in movement from the Horse's perspective.

How do you know what size cinch to get?

How to determine your cinch size: Measure your horse from the center of the underside of his chest in the girth area. Bring the tape up to just below the widest part of his ribcage (about 4" above and behind the elbow). Multiply this measurement by two and you will have a good idea of what size cinch your horse needs.

Where should the cinch sit on a horse?

The lowest point your cinch should sit is 3-4" above the elbow. This allows clearance and no interference when riding. The best way to get an accurate cinch size is to take a string and hold it on one side 3-4" above the elbow. Then you run it under the horse, to the same point on the other side.

Horse Tacking Tips - How to set up a flank or rear cinch for trail riding

What is a rear flank on a saddle?

The back, or flank, cinch is more than a decorative accessory for a Western saddle. It's a safety piece that stabilizes the saddle by attaching with aid of rear billets and a leather hobble strap to the front cinch.

What is a Latigo tie strap?

Latigo leather tie straps are perfect for when you're using a synthetic girth. The leather will stretch slightly as you ride to increase your horse's comfort, without compromising the security of the saddle. Latigo leather is distinctive for its red undertone.

Can you cinch a horse too tight?

Riding with your cinch too loose can be a big problem for you, causing your saddle to slip; while fastening the cinch too tightly can cause a big problem for your horse by making him sore or giving him girth galls or even a hemotoma.

How tight should your horses girth be?

It is recommended, therefore, that girth tightness be no more than 22 pounds when the horse is standing still. At this tightness the girth will be snug against your horse's body but you will still be able to slide three fingers underneath it.

How do you stop cinch sores?

Treat girth galls with careful cleaning and application of a thick, protective ointment, such as Ichthammol or Desitin. Then, stop riding the horse (or ride him bareback) until the sore heals completely, which can take as long as three weeks.

How tight should saddle cinch be?

You should be able to put one index finger under the cinch to your finger's first joint. If you can reach in at the back of the cinch more than that, it's probably too loose. If you can't fit a finger in at all, it may be too tight.

How tight should breast collar?

A well fitting breast collar should have the arms lie right above the point of the shoulder. But don't make it too tight either! The center strap (which connects to the cinch) should not be loose, but comfortably snug and stabilize the breast collar.

What is a tripping collar for horses?

Tripping Collars have a contoured 3in wide shape to help distribute pressure over a larger area of the horses chest without restricting shoulder movement. Style popular with Roping.

Can you use a front cinch for a back cinch?

Rear girths are not the same as the girths that are used in the front of your saddle and you should not attempt to use a standard front girth on the rear of your saddle.

What is the back cinch on a saddle called?

The rear cinch, also known as the rear flank strap, rear girth, or back cinch is found on all western saddles. It's there for specific purposes! The use of a front and rear cinch is known as a "double rig." The western saddle has either reinforced leather slits on the rear section of the saddle skirt or "D" rings.

What is a Latigo on a saddle?

First, a little terminology: A latigo is the long piece of leather or nylon that allows you to tighten the cinch on a western saddle.

What type of cinch is best for trail riding?

What's the best cinch for trail riding? The Professionals Choice Mohair Straight Cinch is a great choice for trail riders who want to keep their horses happy all day. It's soft, durable, sweat-wicking, and is perfect for sensitive horses.

Why are dressage girths shorter?

Short girths are designed for saddles with long billets. Most dressage riders prefer a short girth because it keeps the area underneath the thighs and/or knees bulk-free. The downside is that the buckles are located farther down, directly on the horse's body.

Can you use a Western cinch on an english saddle?

Best Answer: This convertor allows a western girth to be used on an english saddle. This will not work the opposite way, as an english girth has buckles on both ends. This has the same buckles as a girth therefore it cannot attach to an english girth. It only attaches to the billets of an english saddle.

What is the difference between a roper cinch and a straight cinch?

Since we are working with a (basically rectangular) shape on a straight cinch, we can build detail work evenly/symmetrically (visualize coloring block patterns on graph paper). On a roper cinch, we are basically building detail shapes on two triangles.

What size saddle do I need for a 16 hand horse?

Under 16.5 inches — You probably need a 15-inch seat size in an English saddle. Between 16.5 and 18.5 inches — Look for a 16-inch saddle. Between 20 and 21.5 inches — Try a 17-inch saddle. Over 21.5 inches — Try an 18- or 19-inch seat size.