hair-cinches
Cinches made out of natural fibers, such as these, are believed to provide more comfort for horses. • Photo by Tara Detherow

Cinch Selection: Choosing the Right Material

Long or short, black neoprene or brown mohair, all cinches have the same purpose — to keep a saddle on the horse’s back. It sounds simple. Yet, cinch selection involves understanding how the cinch can affect the saddle’s position and fit, as well as how the cinch’s material can affect a horse’s skin.