How to Measure an English Cinch

A cinch strap secures an English saddle to a horse.

Correctly saddling a horse for English riding ensures the comfort of you and your horse. Part of saddling your horse is measuring the horse for a cinch strap. The cinch strap wraps around the girth of the horse and holds the saddle in place. A tight cinch strap will pull on the body of your horse, causing discomfort. Your saddle will not remain in position when a cinch strap does not tighten fully to the horse.

Things You'll Need

• English saddle
• Cloth tape measure

Instructions

1. Stand your horse on level ground.

2. Set an English saddle on the horse with no pad sitting under the saddle. Stand back from the horse to determine if the saddle sits level on the horse's back. Adjust the saddle as needed to level it on the horse.

3. Hold the zero end of a cloth tape measure in the center of the second hole from the bottom of the billet strap. Have a helper hold the end of the tape measure in place.

4. Pull the tape around the horse's belly to the second to the last hole on the other billet strap.

5. Order a cinch strap one size larger than the exact measurement of the horse's girth.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not measure an agitated horse.

References

• Jessica Jahiel: English Girth