English Girths vs. Western Cinch

I will be ordering a new trooper saddle from Haggis Saddlery soon and have the option of adding western or English rigging. I am looking for good and bad things you have to say about either. What would you get? And what material do you prefer for your cinch/girth?

Thanks!

I know nothing about cinches.

However, I prefer wool/fleece lined nylon girths with elastic on both ends.

Easy to clean, easy to care, very comfortable to my very girthy horse.

Well, what do you plan on showing, if anything? That will determine what's the best choice right there...and I'm with mildot on the English girth material, that's my fave as well!

I prefer western girths, seem to be easier to come by and easier to adjust. My austrailian saddles basically use an english style girth, Not a big fan. I keep meaning to get around to converting them.
For material I like basic felt, Like the weaver smart cinch.

What does your saddle look like BTW? Is it an English or Western saddle?

I just googled the description you mentioned and they look kind of like a Western or Austrailian saddle to me...most use Western cinches with those I believe.

Well, since I'm an English rider, I of course prefer English rigging and girths. I've never been able to figure out that loopy-tying crap the Western riders are required to do with their cinches. Why bother with all that mess when you can just buckle both sides of the saddle to the girth and you're ready to go?

I use mohair lined girths with elastic on both ends for JJ, and neoprene girths with elastic on both ends for Casper. JJ is a sensitive baby, and finds neoprene pinchy.

I am solely a trail rider, so comfort is my main goal here. This is what a Haggis made trooper looks like;



I have a wool pad and LOVE it. My only thought is that a wool girth would be a magnet for debris on the trail. I do like the elastic idea though!


I do like that when you tighten a western cinch that you don’t have to go to the next hole, you can do whatever length you want. When you wrap it do you have a problem with bulk under you leg?

Where did you buy your mohair lined girth with elastic? That sounds very interesting!

Sorry, I meant merino, not mohair. D'oh!

Professionals Choice has merino girths with elastic on both ends. They also have shearling girths. I prefer the two-elastic girths to those that only have elastic on one side.

I ride solely western, so ofcourse- I'm biased. I like being able to adjust my saddle quickly and easily without needing another hole cut for those oddly-shaped horses ;)

I've never had a problem with the bulk of the latigo though, if that's what you mean. Done right, it is straight, stong, and fairly thin. It's also positioned right in front of your legs, so you really don't ever touch it if you're riding correctly.