Gear Up for Success: The Ultimate Cinch Selection Guide
Are you starting to get your horses back in shape for all the spring events? Or maybe doing some spring cleaning and checking over your equipment? Now is a great time to inspect your cinches and see if it’s time to get a new one.
Clean, good quality cinches are essential in keeping your horse happy and keeping you both safe! In this blog, we will go over all the different cinches we carry and explain how they differ from each other to help you pick the best match for you and your horse.
Cinch Size & Fit Tips
When selecting the right cinch for your horse, proper fit is crucial for both comfort and safety. Cinches should sit about 6” – 8” below your saddle rigging on each side, adjusting for a shorter distance if you have a dropped rigging saddle. However, keep in mind that this is a general rule of thumb and each horse is different! Most horses will wear a 28”, 30”, or 32” with big, deep girthed horses going up to the 34” and 36” sizes.
Make sure your cinch is long enough to avoid rubbing against the horse’s elbow, but not too long to cause saddle instability. Be mindful of the vein that runs along the horse’s side and make certain that the buckle does not rest directly over it. Equally important is the vertical alignment of the cinch. Adjust it so the middle of the cinch aligns with the middle of your horse's sternum, confirming the breastcollar d-ring is as close to the horse's middle line as possible. It’s a good idea to double check this when you do the final cinch check before you get on to ride, some horses can puff up or hold air and your cinch ends up being farther to one side than the other once cinched snug!
Keep an eye out for potential issues after rides – if you notice a swollen or puffy area where the cinch ring was, that's a good sign of an improper fit! Swelling along the horse's side can result from a cinch that is too long and pulled too tight, potentially causing discomfort, sore backs, and behavioral problems. Avoid over-tightening, as it can be uncomfortable for the horse and may lead to pressure points and discomfort.
Always prioritize a well-balanced saddle and refrain from excessive tightening except when necessary for brief periods during extreme maneuvers such as cutting, roping, or running barrels. Make sure your cinch always lies flat against your horse's body, free of wrinkles or folds, and ensure there's no skin pinching. And if your cinch is rubbing hair off or causing sores, that’s your #1 sign to get a different one! Proper cinch fit is key to a comfortable and safe riding experience for both horse and rider.
Classic Equine Mohair/Alpaca Cinch
Starting off with our best selling cinch! The Mohair/Alpaca cinch from Classic Equine is a wise decision for riders seeking a blend of vintage Western style and modern functionality. Crafted from a 100% pure blend of mohair and alpaca fibers, this cinch offers exceptional softness and comfort while remaining naturally strong and durable. Plus the unique color pattern adds a touch of individuality to your tack collection.
Designed to encourage flexion and movement, the cinch is ideal for ensuring your horse's comfort. The stainless-steel hardware guarantees durability, and the custom roller buckle makes cinching easy. Available in both roper and straight options.
Classic Equine 100% Mohair Cinch
The Classic Equine 27-strand 100% Mohair cinch is a very popular choice for riders of all disciplines, from barrels and roping to trail riding. Crafted with naturally soft, strong, and breathable mohair fibers, this cinch not only provides exceptional comfort for your horse but also allows for unrestricted movement and expansion. The 27 strands contribute to the cinch's durability, ensuring it stands up to the rigors of daily riding.
This cinch is also made with stainless-steel hardware and includes a roller buckle for easy cinching. The roper style helps distribute the pressure over a larger area of your horse's girth area. The 100% Mohair cinch is a classic for a reason!
Classic Equine 100% Mohair Cinch 31-Strand
Elevate your riding experience with the Classic Equine 31-strand 100% Mohair cinch, a testament to both style and functionality. Like the previous, this cinch with 100% mohair fibers that are built to last and allow expansion and freedom of movement. The extra-wide design of the roper style helps distribute pressure even more to help prevent soreness for your horse.
The stainless steel hardware, coupled with the convenience of one roller buckle, guarantees durability over the long haul. This cinch is also available in a straight option.
Classic Equine 100% Alpaca Cinch
Indulge in luxury and functionality with the Classic Equine 100% Alpaca cinch. Softer than cashmere yet extremely strong, it provides unparalleled comfort for your horse, adjusting naturally with movement. The stainless steel hardware and one roller buckle ensure easy cinching and lasting durability. Available in both roper and straight options.
Classic Equine Sensorflex Fleece Cinch III
Switching styles, the Classic Equine SensorFlex Fleece cinch is a perfect blend of softness and flexibility designed to provide your horse with the highest level of comfort. With a high-quality fleece interior and padded nylon exterior, this cinch features an inner felt insert for a plush feel. The contoured design follows the natural shape of the horse's heart girth, promoting a better fit and optimal comfort.
We recommend pairing this cinch exclusively with leather latigos, allowing your horse to expand naturally during movement. This cinch also has stainless steel hardware and the one roller buckle included on all Classic Equine cinches. The SensorFlex cinch is a popular choice among colt starters. Available in both roper and straight options.
Classic Equine Aura Cinch
The newest cinch from Classic Equine (and my personal favorite) is the Classic Equine Aura cinch which has been designed for resilience and comfort. The tough mesh exterior stands up to wear and tear, ensuring longevity in even the most demanding riding conditions. Beneath the surface, a perforated foam center provides a soft yet durable foundation, allowing air to flow freely and maintaining comfort during rides. The perforated neoprene, paired with a smooth jersey lining, ensures a supple feel against your horse's skin.
Quick-drying properties make post-ride maintenance a breeze, though we advise against washing or soaking in bleach. This cinch is equipped with stainless steel hardware and is recommended for use with leather latigos only, allowing your horse to expand. Available in both roper and straight options.
Professional’s Choice Contoured Shearling Cinch
Our best selling cinch from Professional's Choice, the Professional’s Choice Contoured Shearling cinch is designed for optimal performance. This cinch facilitates freedom of movement in the shoulder with its contoured design while still ensuring a secure saddle fit. The newly designed solid stainless steel buckles are shaped to keep the latigo in place. With a faux shearling liner, this cinch offers exceptional comfort for your horse and is easy to clean and maintain.
Professional’s Choice Contoured VenTECH Cinch
Just like its shearling lined counterpart, the Professional’s Choice Contoured VenTECH cinch, is also designed to enhance performance by allowing freedom of movement in the shoulder. This cinch has the same stainless steel buckles shaped to keep the latigo in place. The signature Professional’s Choice perforated VenTECH liner adds an extra layer of innovation, promoting airflow to keep your horse cool and comfortable while preventing saddle slippage.
Professional's Choice SMx VenTECH Cinch
Next up is the SMx VenTECH cinch, a great combination in comfort and innovation in the Professional's Choice lineup. This cinch has Professional Choice's VenTECH technology with a ventilated, non-slip neoprene liner that conforms to your horse. The unique design allows heat and moisture to escape while also preventing bacteria growth.
The neoprene liner is detachable for easy washing. The wider center design of the SMx VenTECH Roper Cinch effectively equalizes pressure over a larger area, enhancing your horse's overall comfort. Versatile enough for any western discipline, the SMx VenTECH Western Cinch is a great choice anyone wanting a long-lasting cinch.
Professional's Choice Merino Wool Cinch
The heavy-duty Merino Wool cinch from Professional's choice is horse-friendly and durable. The heavy-duty webbing combined with a non-chafing, moisture-wicking 100% merino wool lining provides a high level of comfort for your horse. Rust-resistant stainless steel hardware, reinforced center d-rings and a convenient roller buckle guarantees longevity and ease of use. The merino wool lining is not only removable but also washable making this cinch's maintenance simple.
Professional's Choice Shearling Cinch
Prioritize your horse's comfort with the Shearling cinch from Professional's Choice. The all-natural shearling lining is not only soft and breathable but also non-chafing. This cinch is durable and will last with heavy-duty webbing that is double-stitched for added strength. This cinch also features rust-resistant stainless steel hardware, reinforced center d-rings and a roller buckle. The shearling lining is removable and washable for easy cleaning.
As you gear up for another year of riding and/or competing, don't overlook the importance of inspecting your cinches. A good, clean cinch is vital for maintaining your horse's happiness and ensuring both of your safety. In this blog, we've given you an in depth guide detailing the wide range of cinches we have available to help you find the perfect match for you and your horse.
From innovative materials to specialized designs, each cinch offers a blend of comfort, durability, and functionality tailored to your riding needs. Whether you opt for the classic mohair/alpaca or venture into the advanced technology of the VenTECH and Aura designs, rest assured that every cinch we carry is crafted with your horse's well-being in mind. Whichever cinch you choose, you're investing in the utmost quality and comfort for both you and your equine companion.
Shop our entire cinch collection here!