Got the saddle! Now what?

[Preposterous_Ponies]

I ended up with a lovely Circle Y saddle that I got for a steal of a deal. It’s pretty dirty as it’s been basically sitting for 3 + years, but with some TLC it should be a stunner. I will try and get a pic tonight!

It came with a cinch and a nylon latigo - I find the nylon short and tricky to use. Is leather better? How long is a good length? Do I need to get something pricey or will the cheap kind be okay?

I also find the cinch sits pretty close to my mare’s armpits. It’s fine once I pull her legs forward after doing up the cinch, but it could be better. Any ideas? Do they make western anatomical cinches (that don’t break the bank).

Any other tricks of the trade I should know about? And it is possible to tighten the cinch once on the horse? I am kind of worried about impaling myself on the horn… please tell me this doesn’t happen too often…

In other news, I managed to get off the horse (set down) on the first try yesterday. Still feel so weird!

[Against_All_Odds1]

@Preposterous Ponies!;8070270

It came with a cinch and a nylon latigo - I find the nylon short and tricky to use. Is leather better? How long is a good length? Do I need to get something pricey or will the cheap kind be okay?

How short is short? it should do up like the photo in this link http://www.chicksaddlery.com/page/CDS/PROD/1050/SNC660
You can tighten this type from the saddle by just pulling your latigo up and into the next hole. Also, I liked nylon because I could just hose it off…but I’m a lazy cleaner lol

As for your cinch I liked this one: http://greenhawk.com/wdItemDesc.asp?strilhID=Web&strmdNumber=RIW3939&stricSKU=RIW3939
Again because I could just hose it and it was inexpensive.

Have fun in the western world!

[Preposterous_Ponies]

I tie, not buckle! Maybe that’s why I am having issues - I’m using a latigo made for buckling (it does have holes). I cant’ wrap my head around the buckle, it just seems unsafe to me, though I know I am being crazy.

Mind you, my other mare’s English girth just came apart over a 3’3 fence the other day, and I inspect my girths often. So there’s a way for everything to fail.

[Against_All_Odds1]

You’d have better luck with the buckle as you can tighten easier while mounted and (accidentally) improperly tying the knot can cause a major accident. Think of it as you buckle an english girth so now you buckle a western cinch. Maybe try it to see if the saddle sits better too? You might have the saddle a touch too far forward if you find the cinch sitting too close to her elbow.

Yes tack malfunctions are the worst and always seem to happen at the most unfortunate times!

Are you riding western recreationally on your jumper mare?

[Preposterous_Ponies]

I am too crippled to do much these days, so Lilly is now my “western” horse. We toodle around the farm once or twice a week. She is still leased out for lessons though. Calla has a superb rider who will be doing trillium and A jumpers with her.

I got a lesson on know tying from a western pro, so I should be good in that respect. Apparently shaped cinches do exist, so I’ll pick one up.

[beau159]

I never use the buckle to do a western cinch. There never seems to be a hole is the exact spot I want to tighten my cinch. I always tie.

I’ve never had one come undone in 25+ years of riding.

I prefer nylon on my latigo because it slides easier than leather when you are cinching up on a hot or cold day.

@Preposterous Ponies!;8070270

It came with a cinch and a nylon latigo - I find the nylon short and tricky to use. Is leather better? How long is a good length? Do I need to get something pricey or will the cheap kind be okay?

You can always buy a new latigo if you don’t like the one you have.

Can you post a picture? Not sure how short is too short. Is your cinch the right size?

[QUOTE=Preposterous Ponies!;8070270]
I also find the cinch sits pretty close to my mare’s armpits. It’s fine once I pull her legs forward after doing up the cinch, but it could be better. Any ideas? Do they make western anatomical cinches (that don’t break the bank). [/QUOTE]

Are you sure the saddle fits your horse?

If your cinch is brushing your mare’s armpits, then post likely you have your saddle placed too far forward, which will also impinge on her shoulder movement.

Or if the saddle wants to sit there and moves there even if you placed it elsewhere, then of course you have an ill-fitting saddle.

Can you post a picture?

@Preposterous Ponies!;8070270

Any other tricks of the trade I should know about? And it is possible to tighten the cinch once on the horse? I am kind of worried about impaling myself on the horn… please tell me this doesn’t happen too often…

I always get off to tighten the saddle … Western or English.

As far as getting caught on the saddle horn, there was a thread about this not too long ago.
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?453307-How-to-avoid-hanging-self-by-belt-when-dismounting&highlight=saddle+horn+hung

[Aspen1]

If the cinch is too close to your horse’s elbows, are you setting the saddle too far forward on your horse? The front of the bars should be behind her shoulder blades. Pictures would help.

[SuckerForHorses]

I use nylon and employ the holes provided. That being said, I much prefer leather if your choice is to tie. Nylon too easily slips loose in my experience and is hard to get a good grip on it to tighten initially also.

I have a Clinton Anderson girth that provides excellent armpit relief. I got it as a gift and love it!