The Guide to Cinches and Latigos

Why Your Cinch Matters

Whether you’re loping the pattern in an exhibition, schooling a colt in the round pen, or enjoying a peaceful ride on your favorite gelding, you expect your cinch to be reliable. So reliable that you don’t even have to think about it. It’s one of the most crucial pieces of tack—if not the most important—and yet, it’s often the most overlooked.

When it comes to cinches, many of us stick with what we’ve always used or been told to use, trusting what’s worked in the past, without realizing how much the right cinch can impact fit, your horse’s comfort, and overall performance.

The great news is … the team at Classic Equine is here to help give you a refresher on all things “cinch” and “latigo”!

Cinch and Latigo Fitting Tips

To start, you’ll need to determine what size cinch fits your horse. A cinch that’s too short can cause the latigo to rub, leading to sores and compromising saddle fit and safety. A cinch latigo protector can provide support in these situations.

A cinch that’s too long can be very detrimental—it can be difficult to tighten the way you need it to be and may pinch or rest on sensitive nerve endings, causing irritation or pain. Cinches that are too long will also cause your saddle to roll.

It’s important to regularly check how your cinch is fitting. Use a properly sized latigo to make adjustments as needed—let it out or tighten it just a bit depending on the situation. Make sure your cinch and pad pair well and leave enough breathing room.

And before you swing a leg over, always double-check your cinch. Most horses let out a little air after the initial tightening, so you may need to snug it up a hole or two.

You can easily check tightness by running your hand along the side and underneath your horse’s heart girth.

How to Measure Your Horse for a Cinch

Western cinches typically come in sizes from 26 to 36 inches, increasing in 2-inch increments. Knowing this, you’ll want to grab a sewing tape and a friend. Start by placing the end of a measuring tape where the D-ring of the cinch should sit on one side, then run the rest of the tape up underneath the horse and up to the D-ring spot on the other side.

Measure from one side of the heart girth or “sweet spot” to the other to determine the right size. The sweet spot is found in the image above where the tape ends on both sides.

It’s also important to note that your cinch material can impact sizing. For example, a string cinch may stretch out slightly over time because of the natural give in its fibers—compared to a synthetic neoprene cinch, which won’t.

When the cinch is snug, the dees should lay flat and clean against the horse’s heart girth. This “sweet spot” is important to be familiar with. If these dees sit too high, they can interfere with blood flow and sensitive nerve endings.

Choosing the Right Style: Roper vs. Straight

Cinches come in two different styles:

• Straight: Stays the same width from end to end. Great for everyday riding, speed events, and more.

• Roper: Not just for ropers—this style helps distribute pressure across your horse’s sternum. The wider center helps balance the saddle, especially when you’re dallying off or putting pressure on the saddle. It offers more even pressure, distribution and added support.

At the end of the day, cinch styles are truly just a personal preference (and whatever your horse seems to prefer as well!).

Choosing the Right Latigo/Cinch Combination: Leather vs. Nylon

Pair your cinch with a compatible latigo. Latigos typically come in leather or nylon, and each type works best with specific cinches.  

Leather latigos offer “give”, which helps absorb movement and reduces pressure in sensitive areas. Nylon latigos, on the other hand, have no give—so they need to be used with a cinch that provides flexibility on its own, like a string cinch. 

String cinches naturally have some elasticity, so they pair well with either type of latigo. But if you're using a cinch with a nylon or neoprene body, a leather latigo is recommended to provide the give that's otherwise missing. 

On the left: A leather latigo is paired with an Aura cinch.

On the right: A nylon latigo is paired with a mohair cinch.

How to Tie a Latigo Correctly

Here’s a quick tutorial on how to correctly tie your latigo—and what to look for when it’s done incorrectly.

Understanding the Offside Latigo: Single vs Double Ply

More often than we’d like to admit, we’ve found ourselves in a bind when it comes to understanding how to properly install the offside latigo. It’s something that’s not talked about much—but should be.

Typically, there are two types of offside latigos: single ply and double ply. Martin Saddlery offers both. A good rule of thumb: there should always be two layers of leather strap around the D-ring on the offside of your saddle.

• The double ply is ready made—it slips right on, and all you need to do is tie your blood knot.

• The single ply is where folks tend to get it wrong. It takes a little more prep time. When applied correctly, it creates a stronger offside billet. When applied incorrectly, it can be a disaster waiting to happen.

Watch this video with Martin Saddlery’s late Brian Peterson explaining how to properly attach this latigo to your saddle and cinch.

Get your single ply offside latigo ready to go in three easy steps.

Knowing When It’s Time

Be sure to keep an eye on the condition of your cinch and replace it regularly. If it becomes stiff, develops bald spots, or shows signs of tearing—that’s your signal it’s time for a new one.

To get the most life out of your cinch, clean it regularly. For all Classic Equine cinches, we recommend using a gentle horse shampoo—the same as you would use on your horse’s skin— warm water, and your hand for best results. Many of our cinches are made with natural fibers, so proper care will help them last longer and stay comfortable for your horse.

Feeling is Believing with Classic Equine’s Aura Cinch

Switch up your “old faithful” and try Classic Equine’s newest cinch today. It combines the best of both synthetic and string cinch worlds. The Aura is unlike any other cinch on the market—soft to the touch, refined, lightweight, and extremely breathable. You’ve got to feel it to believe the difference. Find it at your local dealer at: https://classicequine.com/ce/Aura.aspx

Made by Horse People

Classic Equine constantly strives to create new products and improve on the ones we already have. As time passes and technology advances, we are always finding new ways to help you achieve your goals. We appreciate feedback from our consumers. As horse lovers, we understand how much value an equine partner has, and we want to do everything we can to protect your four-legged teammates. We hope Classic Equine is a name you can trust for every equine-related need, and we are proud to offer what we trust on our own horses. 

Classic Equine cinches are available for purchase through authorized dealers. To find a dealer near you, head over to classicequine.com/Dealers/Search.

Classic Equine is a proud sponsor of the American Quarter Horse Association.