Cinchy horse.

So, I have a wonderful jumper. He's an off the track thoroughbred but he hasn't always been this way. Some days he's fine, and some days he's not. It's not his back, i've tried different girths and soft girth covers. It's almost like he's more scared of it than it actually hurting. But I don't know why he would be... I'm at a loss as to what to do, i've tried lunging him and having him stretch out before putting the girth on, i've tried slowly doing it I've tried tacking him up different places. But he's still cinchy. He's fine as long as im on him, I can tighten his girth perfectly fine when im on him but god forbid im on the ground... I don't know what to do! Its not only getting dangerous for me, and him but others around us.
Help?

Have a good chiropractor out. He could have a rib or two out of place. I have a mare that is super cinchy, gets MAD. I had a couple of treatments done on her and she's much better now. Still not pleased, but at least she doesn't try and bite anymore .

My OTTB mare gets cinchy when her ulcers flare up, try running your hand on his belly and see if he reacts at all, when I do that to my mare I get what I call the death look, and if I don't stop touching her stomach she will start lifting her leg and eventually kick at my hand(although I don't let it get that far). When her ulcers are under control I can rub her belly all day and she doesn't care at all

Rachel that's a genius idea! The thought never even crossed my mind!

luvs2ride1979 i've already had the chiropractor out, he's fine. Nice suggestion though!

If he is treat motivated and you can handle giving treats while not letting him get pushy, give him a treat when he touches the cinch with his nose, before saddling, give him a treat when you start to tighten it.... keep doing so but only intermittently give treats.. if no on the treats, praise out loud for the same things.... let him know somehow that a cinch is a good thing.... also make sure you are cinching in the right place and not tooo tight.