The Difference Between a Horse's Cinch and Girth

Cinch and Girth Straps

• Cinch and girth refer to the strap that connects to both sides of the saddle and runs underneath the horse. This strap keeps the saddle from shifting. What term you use depends on the type of saddle you are mounting on the horse. Western saddles use cinches, while English saddles use girths. Girths have multiple straps on them, while cinches do not.

Western Saddle

• Wester saddles use cinches to hold the saddle in place. Depending on the type of rigging you are using, you may need to attach more than one cinch. Rigging describes the way in which the cinch is attached to the saddle. There are two rings to which you can attach the cinch. If the cinch is attached to the front ring, it is in full position. If the cinch is attached to the rear ring, it is in rear, or 3/4, position. If the cinch attaches to both rings, it is in 7/8 position. When using a full or 7/8 position, it is wise to use a back cinch to prevent the saddle from tipping backward if the horse rears or you are riding on steep trails.

English Saddle

• English saddles use girths to hold the saddle in place. With an English saddle, two billet straps buckle to two straps leading off the girth. There are three billet straps on an English saddle. Two are hooked up, and the other one is a backup in case one of the other two billets breaks. English saddles only use one girth, unlike western saddles, which can use more than one cinch.

Girth in Western Saddling

• Western saddling also uses the term girth, or heart girth, but it is a measurement to determine the size of cinch you will need. The girth is measured from the end of the withers of the mane, down to just behind the horse's front leg, under the chest, past the back of the other leg and back up to the end of the withers of the mane. As you stretch the tape measure down the horse's side, you should angle it toward the front of the horse, then, as you measure up the other side, you should angle it toward the back.