Which cinch (or girth) is which?
A helpful guide to girth size and types, designed to help you choose a suitable girth for your horse and saddle. Toowoomba Saddlery specialise in supplying western style cinches and stock girths, available through saddlery stores Australia-wide. Find a distributor ►
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Girth Size | Girth Types | Girth Shapes | Girth Materials | Girth Hardware
Disclaimer: Toowoomba Saddlery makes every effort to keep this information current and correct, however this information is provided ‘as is’, without warranty of any kind and Toowoomba Saddlery is not liable for any losses, injuries or damages incurred from the use of this information.
What is a girth? the main strap that runs around the horse’s underside, securing your saddle onto your horse.
Is it a girth or a cinch? These days the terms are often used interchangeably. For the technically-minded, a girth is the strap that connects directly to a saddle using the billet girth points on the saddle – as in stock and English saddles, whereas a cinch is attached to the saddle via pull-up straps – seen mostly with western style saddles and tack. You might have several girths or cinches in your collection to suit different events, different saddles or different horses.
What size girth do I need?
Cinches are sized in inches with 2″ increments. Toowoomba Saddlery’s girths are measured from buckle-end to buckle-end (or ring-end to ring-end). Most girths are available in sizes from 30″ to 36″, some girth types are available in additional sizes.
Measuring your horse for a girth: Do you have your measuring tape ready?
With the saddle positioned properly on its intended pad on your horse, measure from the near-side rigging plate to the offside plate (under the horse’s belly – where the girth would sit). If going under your horse sounds impractical or unwise, you can measure from the rigging plate to the centre of the horse (where the girth would sit) and multiply that by two.
Take this measurement and minus 16 inches (40cm). This is the approximate size girth you would need. If your horse is in-between sizes, in most cases you would go to the next size up.
(This result is an approximation only, designed for western and stock girths only (not English), as supplied by Toowoomba Saddlery and does not take into account the riding event, stretch characteristics of a girth or the ‘girthiness’ of your horse)
Check your horse regularly for any swelling, chafing or injury to the girth area, especially after riding in a new cinch. If you notice any problems, you may need to check that the size, tightness, shape or material of the girth is suited to your needs.
Girth types
Toowoomba Saddlery specialises in supplying western style cinches and stock girths for stock work, competition and leisure riding. As we are a wholesale supplier only, you can purchase these items through one of our many distributors. See our Distributors page to find your nearest store ►
Western Cinches
Designed for use with a western rigging system where a girth is attached to the saddle rigging plates by lacing or buckling latigo straps to the rigging plates and feature a large ring or buckle at each end for this purpose.
Traditional Style Western Cinches (Cord / String girths)
Cords knotted to the hardware, allow the horse’s skin to breathe and can better accomodate different horse shapes, all while keeping the saddle securely and comfortably in place. These cinches are available with cord fibres made from many different materials and different quantities of strands. Most riders prefer a higher number of strands. Features may include cross bars which help distribute pressure and prevent twisting and reinforced centres, where the space between the centre dees may be reinforced with nylon or leather for extra strength.
See all cord cinches►
Modern Style Western Cinches
Modern western cinches typically consist of a flat piece of material, with a large ring or buckle at either end. They may be made or lined with special materials designed for grip and/or comfort and are often reinforced with webbing.See all modern western cinches►
Stock Girths
Typically featuring smaller buckles on either end of a flat piece of material, these girths are designed to connect directly to billet points on a stock saddle, or used with loop-on girth points attached to saddle rigging plates. They may be made or lined with special materials designed for grip and/or comfort and are often reinforced with webbing.
Campdraft Girths
A type of stock girth designed specifically for the Australian sport of campdrafting, they feature double buckles to help riders meet the 2 points of contact safety rule. Use loop-on girth points to attach them to your saddle.
These girths may also have a billet strap. On traditional stock saddles, the billet can be attached to an overgirth, on swinging fender it can replace a girth point. See all campdraft girths ►
Secondary Girths
These girths are used in addition to the main girth either for added stability in rough terrain or as a safety backup. As we are a wholesale supplier only, you can purchase these items through one of our many distributors. See our Distributors page to find your nearest store ►
Flank Girths
T-shaped girths that connect to the flank points on either side of the saddle, as well as the centre dees of your main girth to provide extra security for the saddle in steep terrain or to prevent saddle rocking. See all flank girths ►
Over girths / Girth Tops / Surcingles
Seen more in traditional stock saddles, over girths are unpadded straps that run across the top of the saddle for added security in rough conditions. They offer backup in case the main girth strap breaks or comes undone. (Not currently supplied by Toowoomba Saddlery).
Bates Top Straps
Used in place of the traditional overgirth. A wide strap that features dees on both ends, or a dee and slide.See all Bates top straps ►
Girth shapes
Girths can be made in different shapes. The girth shape your choose may be influenced by your riding purpose, discipline or event, your saddle style and your preferred rigging position.
Straight / Cutter: Straight girths can be good all-round girth shape suitable for a variety of riding styles and disciplines.
Roper: A Roper girth shape flares out in the middle, spreading the pressure across a wider area to provide more comfort for your horse. This can be useful in roping (as the name suggests), stock work, trail riding and situations that place extra pressure on the saddle’s top side – increasing pressure on the horse’s underside.
Contoured: Some girths may be specially shaped to allow a higher range of movement or avoid placing pressure on specific areas.
Girth Materials
Your choice of girth material comes down to the personal preference of yourself and your horse. It may be dependant on the type of girth you require, your budget and any sensitivities your horse may experience. Girths and cinches supplied by Toowoomba Saddlery are commonly made from the following materials.
Mohair cord: A natural yarn made from the hair of the Angora goat. Traditionally, this is the favourite option for many riders due it’s strength, softness and moisture-wicking characteristics. It does a have higher price tag and can require more maintenance. Mohair-blend is a common fibre material that combines the benefits of Mohair with other fibres for a more affordable girth. It features a natural ‘sand’ colour.
See all mohair girths ►
Bamboo fibre cord: Toowoomba Saddlery supplies Mustang Bamtex bamboo fibre girths. The fibre comes from a natural plant source (bamboo) and is strong, soft and stays in place. It will not stretch out after use. It features a unique green colour.
See the Mustang Bamtex bamboo girths ►
Rayon cord: A soft, affordable manufactured fibre from natural sources. May stretch over time. Usually white, but may be paired with a contrasting colour.
See all Rayon girths ►
Mohlon cord: an economical, acrylic yarn that is both soft and strong. Usually white, but may be paired with a contrasting colour.
See all Mohlon girths ►
Firehose: As the name implies, this material is also used in fire-fighting hoses, so by necessity it is extremely strong and durable. It also has a soft, padded centre to keep your horse comfortable. White or cream in colour.
See all Firehose girths ►
Neoprene: a manufactured rubber-foam-type material that offers excellent grip, is easy to clean and dries quickly. Neoprene foam is black, but may have a coloured lining.
See all Neoprene girths ►
Anti-gall: a unique material designed to help prevent girth gall. The waffle-weave texture is designed to provide comfort, airflow and grip. Black in colour.
See all Anti-gall girths ►
Supa-cool: a unique manufactured material that breathes. It’s vented waffle structure supports air flow – to help keep your horse cool and help prevent galling.
Black is the most common colour. Saddle cloths and saddle pads are also available in this material. See Supa-cool girths ►
Leather: (tanned cow-hide) A traditional material made from natural sources, leather tack is durable, with a quality finish that can’t be beaten but does require extra maintenance. See all leather girths ►
Girth Hardware
The hardware on your girth determines how you attach it to your saddle, or what additional attachments are available to you.
Hardware Finish
Stainless Steel: Durable and rust-resistant, this metal has become the standard in saddlery hardware.
Brass: Solid brass is durable and rust-free, with a traditional gold-coloured appearance.
Brass with SS tongues: The gold appearance of brass, reinforced with the strength of stainless steel in the high-stress area of the buckle’s tongue.
Hardware types
Flat buckles: A common feature of girth buckles, they are shaped to sit flat against the horse’s side, spreading the pressure out more evenly than buckles with round bars.
Roller buckles: The roller turns as the strap is pulled through the buckle, reducing friction for smoother cinching and reduced wear on straps.
Rings: Girths may be fitted with a ring at one or both ends. Girths with rings on both ends may be referred to as ‘Ringer’ Girths. Used by western-style riders who prefer to tie their latigos rather than buckle them. They can also be hooked onto a tackaberry buckle for quick release.
Centre Dees: smaller dee rings on either side of the girth’s centre offer connection points for breastplates (front dee) and flank girths (back dee). Most girths supplied by Toowoomba Saddlery are fitted with centre dees.
