Western Cinches, Latigos and Billets

The cinch is the lifeline that holds your saddle in place, which in turn keeps you in a stable position during riding. Because there is so much riding on your cinch, we wanted to give you some helpful tips that will benefit both you and your horse.

First and foremost, you must use a cinch that is specifically designed with your horse’s comfort in mind.

Choose a cinch by measuring the distance from one heart girth or “sweet spot” under the belly to the opposite one.

When the cinch is tight, the D’s should lay flat and clean against the horse’s heart girth or “sweet spot”. If it rides above or below the sweet spot it can cause soreness and discomfort.

To allow flexibility or “give” as your horse moves, use a cinch / latigo combination. Leather is a natural fiber that has “give”. Leather latigos slightly expand and move with the horse and as you ride but there are some advantages to nylon latigos. Easy to clean and no oiling but it is personal preference.

Help your cinch last longer by flipping and rotating sides every three to six months. This will ensure your cinch wears evenly, extending the life of the cinch so you get the most out of your investment.