Cinch Tie Instructions

Tying a cinch properly ensures the saddle stays on the horse.

In order to safely ride a horse with a saddle that does not have a buckle on the cinch, the rider needs to learn to properly tie a cinch knot. This will be the case for several western style saddles and cinches. When done right, adjusting the cinch strap is done with ease. Cinch straps come in leather and nylon varieties.

Things You'll Need

• Saddle
• Horse
• Ring style cinch

Instructions

1. Place the saddle pad and saddle on the horse. This is best practiced on a well-trained horse or a saddle stand so you do not have a moving target.

2. Pull the cinch under the horse's barrel a few inches behind the front leg. You will want to be standing on the horse's left side as this is how most saddles are put on and will be set up to tie on the left side.

3. Lace the cinch strap through the cinch ring on the cinch, towards you, that is now pulled across the horse's barrel. If the cinch strap is very long, you may need to lace it back through the cinch strap ring and through the cinch ring again. Keep the cinch snug against the horse's barrel.

4. Lace the end of the cinch strap down through the cinch strap ring and to the left. Pull in a downward motion to tighten the cinch under the horse. Lace the end of the cinch strap back up through the right side of the cinch strap ring after the cinch is tightened. Pull almost completely tight, leaving a loop open across the front of the cinch strap ring. Lace the end of the cinch strap down through the loop and pull tight.

Tips & Warnings

• Nylon cinch straps are easier to use than leather cinch straps due to ease of sliding through the rings. Nylon straps do need to be replaced more often due to stiffening. The cinch knot can be used on cinches with buckles by pushing the pin out of the way while cinching the saddle and tying the cinch knot.

References

• The Ultimate Horse Site: How To Tie The Cinch Knot

Resources

• Quick Cinch: It's a Cinch With Quick Cinch