How to Properly Cinch a Saddle

Cinching your horse’s saddle is important for riding safety. This saddle strap that runs under the horse’s chest keeps the rider firmly in place and keeps the saddle from moving around and possibly injuring the horse. While cinching the saddle may look like common sense, there are some steps you need to take in order to keep the brace in place during your ride.

Things You'll Need

  • Saddle
  • Saddle straps
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Instructions

    • 1

      Steady your horse in its stable. An active horse will not want to be saddled, so be sure it is calm first. Lay the saddle across the horse’s back. Let the cinch hand down off of the right side of the horse, and inspect the strap to make sure it is not twisted or knotted.

    • 2

      Reach beneath your horse and grab the cinching strap known as the latigo. Pull the strap to the left side of the horse while keeping the saddle in place. Run the latigo through the buckle hanging off the left side of the saddle but do not run the locking pin through the hole yet.

    • 3

      Locate the large metal ring that is a few inches above the cinching buckle. This will be close to the base of the saddle. Run the latigo through this ring and out the back side.

    • 4

      Run the free end of the Latigo across the metal ring. Turn it so it will run through the backside of the ring, pull it through and then let it run down the loose knot you have created. This move will look similar to tying a neck tie.

    • 5

      Lock the saddle in place finally by placing the buckle’s pin through the latigo’s hole. Walk the horse briefly and then check to see if the strap needs to be readjusted.