The nylon tie strap on my saddle just won’t stay tight. I thought at first it was the horse blowing up his belly then realized the tie was not as tight as when I tied it.
Anyone else have this happen?
Yes and I’m not a fan of nylon latigos for that reason. I like leather ones the best, especially when the underside is rough – it grabs the other “loops” better. Nylon is okay for the off billet, but I prefer leather for the portion you tie.
ETA: IMO, nylon is definitely the worst when you need to adjust tighter – you get the knot loosened to tighten the loops and it all comes loose.
Latigo! Couldn’t think of that word this morning. Not enough coffee I guess.
My husband’s saddle has a nylon latigo and it stays tight. No idea why mine slips loose.
I do plan to get a leather latigo. I was just curios if others had the problem. Several people I ride with have told me they have never heard of that being a problem, but I didn’t think I was the only one.
See my post in the Endurance thread. 
I’ve had the issue with the nylon ones, so I can say for sure you’re not the only one.
Yes, I saw it. Thanks for your input.
Use the buckle on your cinch, problem solved.
I did think of that and have done that but don’t really like to. I much prefer to tie.
[QUOTE=dacasodivine;6642780]
I did think of that and have done that but don’t really like to. I much prefer to tie.[/QUOTE]
Why? Just curious. I haven’t tied in years, there’s so much less bulk under your leg using the buckle.
[QUOTE=jvanrens;6642893]
Why? Just curious. I haven’t tied in years, there’s so much less bulk under your leg using the buckle.[/QUOTE]
It seems that after a bit, you might stretch out the holes too much or need to put too many additional ones in that you risk the structural integrity of the latigo itself.
The buckle is a little bit more exposed on a Western saddle than it is with the billets on an English saddle. I’d be afraid something would get caught on your strap and loosen it from the buckle.
If your cinch has a little pouch, you can always tuck the tail in there instead of the latigo keeper on your saddle. The other way I’ve done it is to pull the tail straight back from the knot to the slit in the skirt for the back cinch (assuming you don’t ride with a back cinch) and tuck it in there. That works well for when you have another latigo instead of an offside billet.
Tying just seems more secure to me. No worries that it could come off the buckle.
[QUOTE=jvanrens;6642893]
Why? Just curious. I haven’t tied in years, there’s so much less bulk under your leg using the buckle.[/QUOTE]
I have seen the tongue of the buckle rip through the latigo and cause the girth to become very loose very fast with both a leather latigo and a nylon one. The off billet is usually 4 layers of leather/nylon thick, but I don’t trust using the buckle on the near side. I prefer to tie a knot too.
Some of the nylon latigos are soft enough to bite down and grip. The black ones are almost always very hard and stiff and won’t melt into the fabric like the softer, heavier quality brown ones. the black ones tend to feel like cheap seatbelts.
I have a couple of old brown nylon latigos (we use the holes, I don’t tie them off) that just have a better feel/hand than the cheap hard black latigos.
The one on my husband’s saddle is brown but is thicker where mine is thin, about like a seat belt. I did get a new leather latigo but didn’t have time to put it on before this morning’s ride so did buckle it. It did stay done up but I’m still changing to leather. I will give some consideration to buckling it though.
I both tie and buckle, if the hole falls in the right place when cinching up. I would NEVER consider not tying my latigo, after seeing several wrecks by those who only buckled them tight. Horse had the girth loosen and saddle turned, tossing the rider off really hard. Various endings for the horse, with some being grabbed fast by a near person, others ranaway with saddle under the belly till it fell off. All were ugly endings, which could have been prevented by tying the latigo.
Not sure about other folks, but I always check the girth tightness after the first 15-20 minutes of riding. I have ALWAYS needed to take it up at least a hole. Then check girth again about once an hour on long rides. Lets me stretch my legs, gives horse a rest on his back. My horses do seem to get skinnier as the ride goes on, girth does need tightening a bit on some of those checks, even with regular drinks.
I have been using the nylon latigos, brown. I am not noticing them coming undone, but some are more slippery than others. None are hard like seatbelts. I like them because I can wash them clean in the machine. I hate cleaning leather, so nylon is a time saver for me. When they get fuzzy with wear, I do get a new latigo on the saddle.
Meh, my preference is nylon buckled on the off side, and leather tied on the near side. I’ve never had an issue with a buckled latigo being an issue, and I’ve ridden a lotta miles. Meh, we all have to do what suits us.
I have also had this issue with nylon. Much rather perfer leather ones, never had a problem with this in leather.
definitely switch to a leather one the leather sticks together better and create friction between it so it doesn’t slip but nylon just slides against other nylon like 2 ice cubes its just to slippery!
i prefer tying to buckle too, but depends on the saddle and the girth. leather defintiely works better, just takes a long time to break in.
