Girth (tack) - Western Cinches

Western Cinches

The traditional western cinch was made of multiple strands of heavy cords, usually made of mohair, or, in cheaper designs, cotton. Modern designs are also made of synthetic fiber or a synthetic-mohair blend. The number of cords used varies with width and design, but the standard range is from 17 to 30 strands, creating an end product that is 4 to 7 inches wide at the widest point in the center of the cinch. This design is sometimes known as a "string", "strand," "cord" or "rope" cinch. Each cord is knotted around a large ring, called a cinch ring, placed at either end. In the center, additional cording or very heavy thread is used to gather all the cords into a set width and make the cinch lie flat. Wider cinches are narrowed to fit the cinch ring by allowing two layers of cord to form at the ring, sometimes aided by decorative weaving that stabilizes the cords.

Cinches are also made of more solid materials. One of the first non-traditional designs incorporated 1/2" thick felt backed by nylon webbing on the side away from the horse. Other materials, such as neoprene, also supported internally or on one side by heavy web or nylon or a similar synthetic material, are also used. Cinches are sometimes covered with a sleeve or covering made of fleece, usually synthetic. Fleece is also sometimes used to line the inside of a cinch.

The cinch attaches to the saddle by means of a latigo on either side. The latigo is a wide, flexible leather strap, usually of leather, though nylon webbing is also seen. The latigo is attached to the off (right) side of the saddle at the saddle's cinch ring or "dee ring", doubled in thickness and knotted or buckled to the cinch, usually kept attached to both cinch and saddle at all times, except to make fitting adjustments. The latigo on the near (left) side is attached to the saddle at all times, but the loose end is used to secure the saddle for riding by running it through the left cinch ring one or more times, back through the saddle's dee ring, and then finally buckled or knotted when tight. It is loosened and removed from the cinch to take off the saddle.