Choosing The Right Cinch For You and Your Horse
Choosing a new cinch can be very daunting. There are so many shapes, styles and features on the market today, how do you know what to choose? Weaver Leather, your trusted brand since 1973, hand crafts dozens of superior cinches at an affordable price for every horse and rider.
When choosing a new cinch, there are several things you should consider:
- Material – What is the cinch made of? Is it comfortable for the horse? Appropriate for the environment you ride in?
- Shape – Am I getting the proper shape for my horse?
- Functionality – Is this cinch easy for me to use? In addition, is this cinch appropriate for my horse?
- Size – Am I buying the correct size for my horse?
Let’s take a minute to review briefly some of the top quality handcrafted cinches by Weaver Leather. This brief overview will help you the next time you cinch up! Let’s take the time to break down the above questions with 3 different categories of cinches. Keep in mind that there are ton of options when it comes to selections, but here are a few popular styles.
Smart Cinch with Roll Snug® Buckles Cinches
Material Breakdown:
- Wide range of options
- Neoprene is known to be comfortable and easily prevents buildup of dirt, debris & spread of fungus
- Wool blend & felt lined versions conform to the horse for comfort, retain great strength & are breathable
Functionality:
- Neoprene is very easy to clean but also known to crack over time, not recommended in areas with a very high temperatures
- Dust & hair can gather easily on wool & felt; cleaning with a brush, hosing or pressure washing with air drying is recommended to prevent built up fungus or rubbing/chaffing on the horse
- Wool & felt are very versatile in multiple climates and also provide protection behind the buckle from directly being on the horse
- Stainless steel hardware provides exceptional resistance to corrosion and durable strength
- Features the Patented Roll Snug® Cinch Buckle for a smooth, easy, straight pull every time
Merino Wool and Shearling Lined Cinches
Material Breakdown:
- Premium all natural merino wool fleece or shearling liners are perfect for sensitive horses.
- Wicks away sweat and distributes even pressure for ultimate comfort
- Breathable and stain resistant fibers are easy to clean and maintains their shape
Functionality:
- Merino Wool and Shearling lined cinches are easy to clean but also known to collect sticks and burrs on the trail
- Dust & hair can gather easily on wool & shearling; remove velcro liner for easy cleaning with a brush, hosing or pressure washing with air drying is recommended to prevent built up fungus or rubbing/chaffing on the horse
- Wool & shearling are very versatile in multiple climates and also provide protection behind the buckle from directly being on the horse
- Stainless steel hardware provides exceptional resistance to corrosion and durable strength
100% Mohair Cinches & 100% Alpaca Cinches
Material Breakdown:
- Soft, luxurious, durable, constructed from cording from Angora goats or alpacas
- Woven with precision by our skilled craftspeople in Mt. Hope, Ohio
- Naturally wicks away moisture, expands to allow breathability & maintains shape
Functionality:
- String cinches are popular because they are a natural material against the skin; believed to be good for horses with allergies to synthetic materials and also over time will gather a small layer of horse hair, understood to gain additional comfort
- Sting cinches feature 3 rows of weaving compared to industry standard of 2 for maximum durability
- We highly recommend to clean your cinch regularly by brushing dirt off and occasionally hand washing with a hose or bucket then hang drying; drying processes may take up to a few hours in the sun
- Stainless steel hardware for exceptional resistance to corrosion and durable strength
- Contoured shape and roller bar on the buckle allow for a straight and easy pull when cinching
AirFlex® Technology Cinches
Material Breakdown:
- Patented from a white cool flex foam which doesn’t absorb heat like a traditional black neoprene, keeping the horse cooler longer
- Molded airflow channels maximize air circulation and provide breathability and flexibility
- Padded flex edges eliminates pinching and extra cushioning provides ultimate comfort
- Lightweight, quick-dry
Functionality:
- Available with the Patented Roll Snug® Cinch Buckle for a smooth, easy straight pull every time
- Very easy to clean & low maintenance - simply hose off and air dry in no time at all
- Unlike a string cinch, very little burs & stickers can find their way on this cinch
- Stainless steel hardware for exceptional resistance to corrosion and durable strength
- With high cooling features this cinch is excellent for long rides on the trail or ranch & arena work
- Designed by industry experts
As you can see, materials are very key when it comes to the functionality of your cinch. All of these cinches are made from top quality elements and should help you make the best decision for you and your horse. Remember each horse/situation may be different, so multiple options are good to consider.
Now, when it comes to styles, all of the above cinches are available in a straight or roper style. Either gets the job done! Roper cinches have been traditionally known to be used in roping events or around the ranch in situations where a rope will be dallied off to the saddle horn with a cow on the end. The wider shape simply helps take the pressure and distribute it across a larger surface area while holding the saddle in place. The roper style is designed to be easier on the horse and has become very popular on the trails for the same purpose of distributing pressure and securely preventing the saddle from sliding forward or backwards in terrains with lots of hills. A straight cinch is an everyday go to option; great for the arena, speed events, trails and pleasure riding.
In reference to size this can be treated on a broader platform. A cinch is measured buckle-to-buckle and typically available in sizing increments increasing by 2”. There are so many ways to measure your horse for a cinch and choose the best selection. Honestly, there could be an entire article on this alone all based on opinions. We recommend that you refer to your local trainer, experienced friend or industry expert for tips. Let’s face it; we are all learning new things every day when it comes to horses and what better way to consult a mentor or expert. We partner with a great team of industry experts from Stacy Westfall, Ken McNabb, Richard Winters & more! Feel free to check out our website for great videos on choosing the best cinch size.