What is an off billet?

The "off billet" is the leather strap attached to the front D-ring on the right side of the rigging on your horse's Western saddle. Its purpose is to support the girth, which wraps around the horse's barrel. The right side of the girth buckles to the off billet.

What is the difference between a billet and a latigo?

And most saddles have a latigo (the long leather or nylon strap) on the on-side and an off billet (a shorter strap with holes in it) on the off-side.

What is a half breed off billet?

The half-breed off billet is a specialized version of a standard off billet. Unlike traditional off billets, the half-breed off billet is much for durable and provides extra strength. It is about 6 feet long and wraps around the cinch, the dee rings, and is fastened to the cinch buckle tongue in a reverse direction.

Why do English saddles have three billets?

Balance or rear billets help stabilize the rear of the saddle. If a saddle is the right shape for the horse but lifts a bit in the rear, the rear or balance billet will help keep the saddle from popping up.

What is a billet in horse tack?

The billets are three straps underneath the top flap, on each side of the english saddle. The billets are the straps which attach to the girth to anchor the saddle on the horse's back.

Off Billets, Tie Straps, and Half Breeds - Tack Talk With Paul

What is the back of the saddle called?

Cantle: The back of the saddle that gently curves upwards for backward seat support. Twist: The “twist” is the part of the saddle tree that sits just below the pommel in front of the “seat” of the saddle (circled in the image). This is a part of the saddle that determines how the saddle sits between the rider's legs.

What is a billet strap on a Western saddle?

By Jen Davis. i. The "off billet" is the leather strap attached to the front D-ring on the right side of the rigging on your horse's Western saddle. Its purpose is to support the girth, which wraps around the horse's barrel.

What is the purpose of a Latigo?

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 is a double Latigo?

Natural Horseman Saddles, Exclusive Providers of Parelli Saddles, have double latigos. Having the ability to tie up a latigo on each side means you can adjust each strap equally to create a lovely even pressure for your horse's sake. It not only feels better, it results in a better balanced and more stable saddle.

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.

What is a Latigo in rodeo?

A latigo is "a long strap on a saddletree of a western saddle to adjust the cinch."

How tight should a cinch be on a horse?

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 long is a latigo?

The length can be between 60" (5') to 72" (6') with 72 inches or six feet (6') the most common. The ends of the latigo/tie strap are finished to your preference ( see Figure 1 for two common examples ).

What are the parts of a western saddle called?