Flank cinch how-to

Silvercreekcrossings · 03-19-2008, 07:04 AM

Ok, so I have not used a flank cinch before but have decided to start doing so after my saddle slid up on my mares shoulders & I got somersaulted ever so neatly over her head. I bought one online, it has a buckle that is supposed to go to the front cinch but the length of the strap is only about an inch! This can't be right, can it?...what do I attach to the buckle to reach the cinch?

And here's another one for you......how tight should it be? I see people all the time with their back cinches hanging loose and what good is that? I'm guessing it should be snug but not tight. My mare is prego (probably why the saddle fit has changed in the first place) so I'm trying to be sensitive to her feelings.

Horse poor · 03-19-2008, 07:10 AM

The buckle is to attach a hobble strap like a 1/2in leather piece to that then goes to the front cinch. Kind of like a leather chin strap size. I snug mine just to the belly since I don't rope. Hanging loose is a hazard the horse could get a leg in.

Slim Pikkens · 03-19-2008, 07:10 AM

If your saddle went up on your horse's shoulders then you probably have a saddle fit problem.

beth55051 · 03-19-2008, 07:43 AM

Sounds to me also that your saddle might be either too wide, too narrow or you have a mutton withered horse that's hard to fit.

Here's a picture that might help. It was taken at the end of an all day trail ride so the saddle is a tad bit forward of where it should be. The thin leather strap you see hanging under her belly is the connector strap. In a pinch a piece of twine works just fine as well.

The first couple of times you use the flank cinch I would lunge her a bit first so she can get used to it before you hop on.

equine.trailrider · 03-21-2008, 07:36 AM

When I had my QH, I used a flank cinch on him. Here he is after cantering 22 miles...

As you can see, I have his flank cinch about 1-2 inches from his belly. The cinch is used to keep the saddle from flying forward and up off the horse's back in a sudden stop or going down hill. It is not intended to keep the saddle from moving forward. That would be a saddle fit problem. The horse in the picture has ultra high withers.

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03-19-2008, 07:04 AM
Silvercreekcrossings Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 345	Flank cinch how-to Ok, so I have not used a flank cinch before but have decided to start doing so after my saddle slid up on my mares shoulders & I got somersaulted ever so neatly over her head. I bought one online, it has a buckle that is supposed to go to the front cinch but the length of the strap is only about an inch! This can't be right, can it?...what do I attach to the buckle to reach the cinch? And here's another one for you......how tight should it be? I see people all the time with their back cinches hanging loose and what good is that? I'm guessing it should be snug but not tight. My mare is prego (probably why the saddle fit has changed in the first place) so I'm trying to be sensitive to her feelings. __________________ Silver Creek Crossings Standing Scotch on the Rocks, FHANA Friesian Specializing in Friesian/Arab Cross

03-19-2008, 07:10 AM
Horse poor Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 3,670	The buckle is to attach a hobble strap like a 1/2in leather piece to that then goes to the front cinch. Kind of like a leather chin strap size. I snug mine just to the belly since I don't rope. Hanging loose is a hazard the horse could get a leg in.

03-19-2008, 07:10 AM
Slim Pikkens Bombproof Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,691	If your saddle went up on your horse's shoulders then you probably have a saddle fit problem.

03-19-2008, 07:43 AM
beth55051 Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Central Minnesota Posts: 8,391	Sounds to me also that your saddle might be either too wide, too narrow or you have a mutton withered horse that's hard to fit. Here's a picture that might help. It was taken at the end of an all day trail ride so the saddle is a tad bit forward of where it should be. The thin leather strap you see hanging under her belly is the connector strap. In a pinch a piece of twine works just fine as well. The first couple of times you use the flank cinch I would lunge her a bit first so she can get used to it before you hop on. __________________ Make that 6 years! *If at the end of the day, all you have left is your integrity and honor. Then hold your head up, because that's more than most have.*

03-21-2008, 07:36 AM
equine.trailrider Long Yearling Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,000	When I had my QH, I used a flank cinch on him. Here he is after cantering 22 miles... As you can see, I have his flank cinch about 1-2 inches from his belly. The cinch is used to keep the saddle from flying forward and up off the horse's back in a sudden stop or going down hill. It is not intended to keep the saddle from moving forward. That would be a saddle fit problem. The horse in the picture has ultra high withers. __________________ -I'll Take A Cold One. Make It A Draft! visit me at http://www.freewebs.com/sunshineacres Visit my horse forum at: http://michiganhorsechat.proboards.com/index.cgi