Trouble getting saddle cinched tight

[TNT]

Does anyone have any good hints on getting my saddle cinched tight? Sometimes I'm lucky but most of the time it's a struggle! I cinch then walk my horse abit and then cinch tighter but as soon as I put my weight in the stirrup to mount it slides ( and I'm only 5'3" and about 125 lbs)It's getting very frustrating! The girl who helps me with riding doesn't seem to have this problem with the same saddle. Help!

[CrazyfurAnimals]

I'm not exactly sure what kind of cinch you have, but sometimes I'll have the same trouble. I'm not sure if this will help you any, but I'll tell you what I do. When I first saddle the horse up, I don't even worry about the cinch being tight. Then when I walk him into the arena or wherever I ride him, I bend my knees slightly and give a sharp tug as if I was jumping up. If you have a cinch where you have to put a knot in then keep the knot tied, and just keep tightening it. Sometimes for me it will take a while, but I think we'll both get the hang of it after a while. :)

[horselover]

Well, if you are talking about the most common type of western cinch, and you ar ehaving problems tightening, then you are using a latigo and tying it, right?

I'd be careful using Crazy4animals technique- it may work well, but you stand a chance of either making a horse cinchy, r doing it to an already cinchy horse and getting kicked or bitten. The best thing to do is tighten the girth slowly when you first tack up. Use gentle pressure and pull straight up. Don't try to completely tighten it until you are ready to get on. Then stand on a moutnting block- the height will give you added leverage. Pull straight up again, and theread the extra latigo through the knot as you go.

Mount from a mounting block, this reduces the tendency for your weight to pull the saddle down. Then, tighten the cinch from the saddle again.

This takes upper body strenght to do- try doing push-ups every night to build up your muscles :). Eventually, you will get it. And some horses are harder to cinch up than others.

[CrazyfurAnimals]

I didn't mean doing it sharply. I used the wrong word. But I do have to tug on it. Especially since I'm kind of short compared to the horse that I usually ride. The horses don't really mind. I'm no muscle-woman ( :D ) so I can't tug very hard.

I would suggest asking Outrider, because he's the big Western rider on this site. :)

Horselover's suggestion is a really good one too, and sorry for giving the wrong word. :o

~~Sarah~~

[horselover]

Crazy4Animals- don't worry about it- I use the wrong words all the time! :) I know what you mean, now, I just wanted to make sure that TNT didn't go yanking aorund on cinches- it can be kinda painful for both horse and rider!

If your short, do try standing on something- it really does halp get leverage. Even just a upside down bucket. I have a really short freind- she isn't even 5'- and she has the same problem. She is very strong, but she's short, so she stands on something.

[CrazyfurAnimals]

I"m glad you said something about me saying 'sharply' Horselover. :) I wouldn't want any people hurting their horses either. :) Next time, I"ll read over my message, before I send it. :)

Maybe I'll try your suggestion on my next lesson. :)

[TNT]

Thanks so very much for all your advice. Isn't this a wonderful site? I took Jasmine out yesterday and the cinching up went great! Sorry to say the ride didn't go well. To start with I'm 46 and just started riding again. We bought our daughter a pony last Spring and I took to riding her and decided that I needed something a little bigger for myself.Jasmine is a 5yr old Morgan/QuarterHorse. I got a good deal on her and I've never had to chase either one. Well anyway she got barn sour and refused to leave her little buddy so I hired a young girl who is great with horses to work it out of her. it went great and we went out together a couple of times and all was well. Yesterday I took her out just her and I. First mistake was that the neighbors had moved their horses to a nearby pasture and Jasmine refused to leave them. After a bit of fighting I got her to go the the field across the road and that's when the big trouble started. Spinning, bucking and running backwards. I stayed on but my legs were quivering like jello! Needless to say not the calming ride I had in mind! I do believe I'm over horsed. I just want an "old dobbin" one that just wants to go out for a pleasant ride! One young girl that's into the O' Mok-See scene suggested that her grandfather has a real nice 7 yr old gelding that maybe we could trade off for the winter and I could see if we like each other and she can work with Jasmine. What to you guys think? Help! LOL!

[floppy]

you know, i have always wondered how one tightens up the clinch on the western saddle whilst mounted..i havent worked it out yet and its much easier for my to mount, ride for 5mins and then dismount and tightne it up. Worked ok for me, my saddle doesnt slip....but my friends saddle always slips.

[Outrider]

Horeslover has the right of it. I pull out a little to reduce friction before I pull up, and I pull up gently. Most horses suck wind when you cinch up. You just have to take your time and do it gradually. I usually cinch up as tight as I can and then walk Bob to the arena. By the time I get there, he has let his air go and I cinch up again. Usually, I don't need to another time. Best of luck. Happy Trails!

PS Horselover, when are you going to work on that article for the Western Way?:)

[KarinUS]

I am sorry to butt in, but I haven't been here in a while ;)

How did it turn out with the Percheron?

[Outrider]

Hi Karin!

The Percheron didn't turn out. Seems the owners neglected to tell me until the last minute that he had a recurring water on the knee. I had a vet call to make arrangements for a vet check asking them to ride the horse so he can see how he moves under saddle and they wouldn't ride him for fear of getting thrown! Guess $800 wasn't as much of a bargain after all. I passed on him.

Jill, I meant an INexpensive draft!lol

TNT, the trade for the winter sounds like a good idea. You want to get in writing everyone's responsibility in care for each other's horse, just to be on the safe side. I applaud you for seeing yourself overhorsed and wanting to get something else. Sounds like a good plan.

Happy Trails!

[floppy]

tnt, i also think that it sound as good idea!:)