Best cinch for trail riding in 2022 (Reviews & Buying Guide)

Riding outdoors like on trails, forest roads, or any place where there is no motorized traffic. Usually, riding horses on different long or short trails is known as trail riding. So, for this type of adventurous ride, you just can’t sit on a horse and go for it, and that’s why you will need a cinch.

Once, I went on such a trail riding and was telling that story to my colleagues. They were really enjoying and planning their trip, so one of them asked me which is the best cinch for trail riding?

I suggested some, as all my friends, including me, took different cinches according to our likes and dislikes. So, to know more about the cinch, let’s see all the varieties.

Top 7 cinches for trail riding

If you are more into daring tasks and thinking of going on trail riding, you do not have a cinch. Don’t worry at all, because I’ll be showing you some of the best cinches to make your trip exciting.

So, have a look below and go through all the great cinches for the riding trip.

1. Weaver Leather Neoprene Smart Cinch with Roll Snug Cinch Buckle
2. Classic Equine Alpaca Mohair Straight Cinch
3. Professional Equine 5” Wide Horse Western Riding Girth Cinch
4. Weaver Leather felt-lined Smart Cinch with Roll Snug Cinch buckle
5. Classic Equine Alpaca Mohair Roper Cinch
6. Weaver Leather Mohair Blend 27 Strand Smart Cinch
7. Weaver Leather Alpaca Straight Cinch

The Reviews

1. Weaver Leather Neoprene Smart Cinch with Roll Snug Cinch buckle

Key Features

This neoprene backer is shock-absorbing that stands up against the elements and proceeds along with the horse. It is patented, and the roll snug cinch buckle is made of stainless steel, which gives you more leverage after tightening its girth. This cinch weighs 1.6 pounds, its dimension is 27.5 x 5 x 1 inch, and the width is 5 inches.

The roller system of the cinch is narrow; as a result, it can play less and roll smoothly. The contoured channel will allow you a straight pull every time, and the buckle tongue is longer in shape, thicker with a hook tip that secures your latigo.

The performance of the cinch is mind-blowing because it’s very reliable and designed in a way that has helped lots of riders to use it again and again. If you are tensed about washing it, don’t be because you can easily separate the poly webbing top from the neoprene and clean it.

Pros:

1. The rollers make it easier to tighten the cinch, even on the moody horses.
2. It is very light and does not slip at all.
3. It has a smart double roller buckle.
4. This cinch is very comfortable and soft.
5. You can use it for a long time.
6. Cleaning it is an easy job.

Cons:

1. The neoprene is a bit tough.

2. Classic Equine Alpaca Mohair Straight Cinch

Key Features

The color pattern of this cinch is very classic and holds a western vintage design and style. The material of the cinch is Alpaca and Mohair which is a pure blend of these two fibers for the rider to get comfort. Comes with a straight cinch with 31 strands and has 26-36 available sizes, so you can take anyone which suits you.

Stainless steel is used to build this cinch and to make the cinching up quite an easy task you will get a roller buckle. The color combination will give a sassy look when riding on the horse and passing through the trail. It is hard enough for a safe ride and will help you with effortless movement.

It will fit your horse perfectly and won’t fall off while riding. The fiber of the cinch is excellent as it doesn’t react on horses with sensitive skin. You can easily do the cleansing of the cinch after a good ride when it is dirty with mud.

Pros:

1. It is firm and sturdy.
2. The cinch is soft, comfortable, and easy to use.
3. It prevents chafing, holds well, and prevents heat.
4. You can use it for years because of its durability.
5. The price is reasonable.

Cons:

1. The color might be a little lighter than the picture in real.

3. Professional Equine 5” Wide Horse Western Riding Girth Cinch

Key Features

This is a black color cinch, which is 22 inches long and 5 inches wide. It weighs 1.54 pounds, and the package dimension is 11.22 x 5.35 x 3.31 inches. The neoprene bottom is well-ventilated, which allows heat and moisture to escape. It will fit perfectly to your horse, and you can also have a comfortable ride.

The steel buckles are stainless and very strong. It is the best cinch for trail riding, as you can go a long way using this one on your horseback. It will not feel irritation or uneasy while riding. You can use this cinch on both short and long trail riding with your friends.

So, if you are looking for one like this, then what are you waiting for? Just grab yours and enjoy trail riding using it. Cleaning it is also not a very tough job as you easily detach the parts and clean all the dirt away.

Pros:

1. The heavy-duty nylon girth gives durability for a long time.
2. The buckles and rings are rust and corrosion-free.
3. You can easily wash away the debris, sweat, and grime.
4. The ventilation keeps your horse cool.
5. It is very comfortable and sturdy.
6. The price is budget-friendly.

Cons:

1. Your sandals may slip while riding.

4. Weaver Leather felt-lined Smart Cinch with Roll Snug Cinch buckle

Key Features

The black weaver leather cinch looks impressive and will give a bright look while you are on trail riding. The poly webbing top has a nylon off billet holder on the top of it. There is also a half-inch black polyester felt backer, which gives extra comfort to the rider.

The cinch is patented, and the roll snug cinch buckle gives you more leverage after tightening the girth. It weighs 1.4 pounds, and the straight cinch is 5.25 inches. The dimension is 27.5 x 5 x 1 inch and manufactured by the well-known Weaver Leather.

It has two rollers buckles which give the riders reliable performance, and thus, they count the rides after rides using this cinch. It is easy to set up and comfy to ride on.

Pros:

1. The poly webbing is quite durable.
2. The body of the cinch buckle is made of stainless steel.
3. This cinch is very popular among trail riders.
4. It is very long-lasting and loved by all.
5. Highly-recommended cinch.
6. The setup mechanism is a given with it.

Cons:

1. The larger size ones may cost more than the smaller ones.

5. Classic Equine Alpaca Mohair Roper Cinch

Key Features

This cinch has such a soothing color combination that will give you such an elegant look. The brown and whitish stripes will definitely match your horse-riding trip. It has a vintage design with a unique pattern and western style.

The fiber of this cinch is 100 percent pure and has a blend of Mohair and Alpaca ones, which are very durable. These materials make a strong cinch for trail riding, and thus, it also makes the movement of the rider comfy. The cinching up task becomes easy for the excellent feature of the roller buckle.

If you worry about it becoming unusable for the dirt and mud, then don’t be because you can wash it simply by disconnecting all the parts.

Pros:

1. The fiber is natural and robust.
2. It is made of stainless steel hardware.
3. The cinch is soft and comfortable for the rider.
4. High-quality material and the rollers on end make it stunning.
5. The price is affordable.

Cons:

1. Maybe it does not tighten up the horse well.

6. Weaver Leather Mohair Blend 27 Strand Smart Cinch

Key Features

This is a patented cinch made of high-quality fiber and a roll-snug buckle of stainless steel for more grip when tightening the girth. It weighs 8.96 ounces, and the dimension is 9.88 x 5 x 0.12 inches. It is sturdy, so you can make your trail riding worth it using the cinch.

This cinch has a 27 strand mohair blend, and you can easily remove the billet holders. The brown with whitish cream color gives a stunning appearance. You can even ride your horse during the storm if you are having this cinch on. It will be your best bud on an adventurous trip and save you.

The cinch is very easy to adjust on your horse. Once you use this one, you will be a fan of this buckle and become a regular customer for sure. So, if you haven’t bought one, go and get yours.

Pros:

1. It provides reliable performance.
2. You will not see any stretching on the cinch, even using it for years.
3. The material is rigid and snuggly.
4. The buckles are rust-free.
5. The roller system is narrow and rolls smoothly.

Cons:

1. The buckle is a little wider than usual.

7. Weaver Leather Alpaca Straight Cinch

Key Features

This cinch is made of alpaca fiber which repels water. Built with stainless steel that engraves an intricate floral design and gives it an attractive look.

The extra stuffed leather tallows of the cinch helps to prevent galling. It also has black accents and a sunset harness that absorbs sweat and moisture, which may cause traditional skirting leather to become gall horses and stiff.

I can assure you that you will have great trail riding after setting the cinch on your horse. You can easily ride for hours and not feel any discomfort on your trip. If you have been stopping yourself from trail riding all these days just for not having a cinch, then the wait is over. Grab your one and plan the trail riding with your friends.

Pros:

1. It is solid and sturdy.
2. The cinch is soft and comfy for the horse.
3. The unique color combination is great for a rider.
4. The buckle is stainless-steel and corrosion-free.
5. It is made of high-quality material and assures longevity.

Cons:

1. The price might be a bit high.

Buying Guides about The Best Trail Riding Cinch:

If you have never bought a cinch and are now confused about which might be the good one for you, then don’t worry because I’ll be presenting you with all the small details. After going through all the information below, you can easily choose one cinch for your trail riding.

So, let’s dig in and see which one fulfills your demand.

Material:

Checking the material before buying a cinch is very important. There is a wide range of options out there in the shops, but you have to choose the one which will be comfortable for you. Let me tell you about all the materials below:

• Neoprene- This material is very comfy, and it prevents buildup of debris or dirt and also stops the fungus spread. It also conforms to the horse, maintains a good amount of strength, and is breathable.
• Alpaca- This one is luxurious, soft, made of an angora goat, and durable. It naturally absorbs moisture, maintains the cinch shape, and allows breathability.
• Merino wool- This fiber is perfect for sensitive horses. It wicks the sweat away and also distributes much pressure for comfort. It’s an easy task to clean this stain-resistant material.
• AirFlex- It is a remarkable white flex that doesn’t absorb heat like other materials but keeps the horse cooler for a long time. This also provides flexibility and breathability by maximizing the air circulation of molded airflow channels. It is lightweight, dries quickly, and has extra cushioning for ultimate comfort.

Size:

You have to buy a cinch considering the size of the horseback. If you get bigger or too smaller than the horse, it will not fit properly. A 12-14 hand horse will need a cinch with 22 inches, 14-15 hands will need 24 or 26 inches, and for a 16-18 hand will need 32-34 inches.

If you tie a tighter cinch on your horse, it will make him uncomfortable and press the areas that carry blood to the heart or lungs. So, it is terrible for the health of the horse. Again, if it’s larger, it won’t fit perfectly, and thus you may slip while riding. That’s why it is essential to get a proper size of cinch that matches your horseback.

Style:

It totally depends on your riding method and personal preference. Some of the cinch based on the riding style is:

• Straight- It is the most basic or standard style of riding which the majority of people use. This is used in the most disciplined way of riding, and it’s affordable.
• Double-layered- It adds extra support to the cinch material and is mainly made tapered or roper style.
• Roper- It widens in the middle of the cinch, allowing more area to secure the saddle. It is used for high-performance riding and provides much security for the horse along with the saddle from rolling.
• Contoured- It is helpful for the broad range motions like trail challenges or western dressage.

Durability:

It is necessary to get durable enough stuff so that you can easily use it for years. If you get a cinch whose material is not comfortable or doesn’t fit your horse correctly, then it will just be a waste of money. So, you should get one that you can use for a long time without facing any trouble.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What connects the back cinch with the front one?

Answer: Leather cinch ‘hobble’ usually connects the back cinch to the front one to fit around the horse perfectly.

2. What is off billet?

Answer: It is the leather strap connected with the front D-ring on the right side of the Western saddle of the horse.

3. Billet straps are used for what purpose?

Answer: It is a leather piece on both sides of the saddles, and it’s used for holding the cinch on the horse.

4. What are the reasons for the saddle to slip sideways?

Answer: It can slip for many reasons, like an imperfect saddle fit, a bad horse, a loose girth, or the uneven irons can also let the saddle slip sideways. The best trail riding horse can ease your work.

5. How tight should be the back cinch?

Answer: If you can insert at least two fingers between the rear cinch and the horseback when the rider is not mounted, but the fingers will be tight in there.

6. What are the parts of a saddle?

Answer: The saddle parts are stirrups and leather, croup strap, grab strap, breastplate, or martingale and girth.

Conclusion:

After going through the whole review, you must have got the best cinch for trail riding for yourself. It will make your horse ride more comfortable and smoother. If you set up a cinch on your horse while going on a trail ride, you will feel safe, and so the animal will remain calm during the whole journey.

Be it a long journey or a short one, be it in sunny weather or winter, you will get a cinch of every type of fiber that will be suitable for you and the horse as well. You won’t even have a fear of slipping while riding if you have a cinch on your animal.

So, if you haven’t got one, hurry up and choose the best cinch for you which will fulfill all your trail riding demands.

I hope the above discussion helped you to select the cinch for your ride.