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Opinions on Western Cinches

7K views 40 replies 14 participants last post by  DebRVT 
#1 ·
Bought my beautiful new saddle today and my AirFlex cinch is now too long.
I am looking for opinions on other well loved cinches or even your cinch material preferences.

I really liked the idea and supposed comfort of the AirFlex but wasn't too excited about how the ends of the cinch widen (right near her elbows).

Thank you in advance for your time!!
 
#4 ·
The Weaver airflex cinches are noT a simple neoprene cinch, with those inherent problems
I won't use a straight neoprene cinch, but have used the Weaver airflow cinches both on an everyday use, and for long mountain miles. Never sored a horse, and my horses like them
Weaver AirFlex Cinch- Straight
They come in different designs and of course, length. You don't need to buy a wide roping design
 
#6 ·
The Weaver airflex cinches are noT a simple neoprene cinch, with those inherent problems
I won't use a straight neoprene cinch, but have used the Weaver airflow cinches both on an everyday use, and for long mountain miles. Never sored a horse, and my horses like them
Weaver

AirFlex Cinch- Straight

They come in different designs and of course, length. You don't need to buy a wide roping design
Smilie - do you find that these cinches (in the proper length for your horse) interfere with the movement of your horses elbows?
Maybe mine was just sitting too far forward on my old saddle
 
#5 ·
here is the info on the Airflow
"Weaver AirFlex Cinch- Straight
With a patented design, high tech materials and American craftsmanship, the new AirFlex® Cinch by Weaver Leather has the ultimate in cinch design. A combination of white cool flex foam and airflow channels offers a high level of breathability, comfort and performance. The white cool flex foam will not absorb heat like traditional neoprene, keeping the horse cool and comfortable. Plus, it can simply be hosed off for quick and easy cleaning after rides. The airflow channels are created using a special manufacturing process and help prevent air from being trapped, maximizing air circulation and comfort.
 
#11 · (Edited)
Looks to me like your cinch is actually on the shorter side, not too long at all. I use either 34 on most of my horses and a 36 when they are all fat and fluffy.

My favourite cinches are the felt Smart cinches by weaver, I've had issues with the buckles on mohair cinches pinching or rubbing. But I have a really hard time finding them in stores lately, and they are a pain to clean. I like the air flex I bought a little while ago.


This is my air flex in action, I like my cinches to sit a bit higher than where yours is.
Horse Bridle Halter Rein Animal sports
 
#12 ·
Looks to me like your cinch is actually on the shorter side, not too long at all. I use either 34 on most of my horses and a 36 when they are all fat and fluffy.

My favourite cinches are the felt Smart cinches by weaver, I've had issues with the buckles on mohair cinches pinching or rubbing. But I have a really hard time finding them in stores lately, and they are a pain to clean. I like the air flex I bought a little while ago.
Oh boy, so maybe my issue is where I have been placing my cinch buckles.
Just when you think you kinda know what's going on......more research to do.

Thank you for sending that picture!
I can see why your airflex buckles don't interfere like mine seem to
 
#13 ·
Hi Deb, All!

For a long time, I used a Weaver Leather mohair cinch on both of my guys. They are nice and soft when new, but they don't clean up very well, and after several washings, they seem to lose their softness, and tend to rub. I switched to the Airflex on George last Spring, and he liked it so well that I got one for my big horse Oily as well. With probably a couple hundred trail miles between them at this point, we can cheerfully report that they are good, and that the critters don't seem to get much sweatier underneath than with the mohair. They're easy to clean, too; just hose 'em off.

Both guys use Endurance saddles with "crossfire" rigging (which tends to keep the cinch out of their armpits), and the "Roper" style Airflex "Smart" cinch. Additionally, if you are installing the Airflex in the correct direction, there is an extension of the padding that lips over the nylon webbing to cushion and protect the animals from rubbing. What's not to like? Oh, yea, the price tag; they are sorta spendy.

Steve
 
#21 ·
Thanks for sharing your experiences. We don't do endurance trail riding or anything and I liked that the AirFlex were so easy to clean.
There is certainly protection from rubbinh at the ends of the cinch. I just thought I had it in the right spot and didn't like how the bulky part was directly behind her elbow.
I agree they are pricey but if they last....worth it
 
#15 ·
Hi Again All!

Some crossposting. Mmmmm, with the crossfire rigging, my cinch buckles are sitting about where the ones in QHriders foto are, maybe even a smidge higher. When I was using the mohair cinches, I also used fleece buckle pads (a bit of sheepskin with a leather lace to tie it to the cinch), that came from Cashel IIRC.

Steve
 
#18 ·
I really liked the idea and supposed comfort of the AirFlex but wasn't too excited about how the ends of the cinch widen (right near her elbows).
Personally, I don't like the Air Flex. At all. I just can't see how having all those "pressure points" bumps on a horse can be good at all. IMO.

I refuse to use neoprene, have seen MANY horses sored from improper use of these.
I've used neoprene cinches for almost 30 years. I put a lot of miles on my horses too. Have never had a problem.

Of course, just like anything, I realize there are some horses out there that DO have a problem with neoprene. But I haven't had one that has had a problem.


You think that cinch is too long? :confused:

I think it's way too SHORT.

Now I might ride with my cinches longer than most, but here's where I have my two horses at.

Red uses the Professionals Choice VenTech cinch. I really like it. Easy to keep clean too.




Although my Shotgun has never had a rub by a cinch (I've owned him since he was a baby), he does tend to be a little sensitive when cinching up. I tried quite a few different cinches and settled on the Professionals Choice Shearling cinch. I still cinch him up slow, but he is the happiest in this one out of all I've tried (and of course, vetted up and down with no issues). This one takes a bit more effort to keep clean, than neoprene, but that's okay.

 
#23 ·
Personally, I don't like the Air Flex. At all. I just can't see how having all those "pressure points" bumps on a horse can be good at all. IMO.

I've used neoprene cinches for almost 30 years. I put a lot of miles on my horses too. Have never had a problem.

You think that cinch is too long?


I think it's way too SHORT.

Now I might ride with my cinches longer than most, but here's where I have my two horses at.
To be honest, my first feelings about the AirFlex were the same as yours so I did some asking around to horse people I know and everyone seemed to love them.

I was told that my cinch was too long on my new saddle yesterday by my coach. Sadly I forgot to get a picture. But since I now have some examples to go by, I will re-think this when I have the new saddle on her again this week-end.
Thanks for sending those pictures!!
 
#19 ·
as a cinch maker, cleaning mohair or alpaca cinches are a snap! Hose them down, lay them flat and let them dry. If they get really nasty, drop them in a bucket of water with a capful of woolite, dreft, or other mild detergent, agitate, rinse it really well and lay flat to dry. Always surprises me how much people are afraid of water when it comes to cleaning tack!
 
#31 ·
We are talking two different types of cinches here,between a straight neoprene, which I also will not use, , and the Weaver Air Flow.
I bought two neoprene cinches along time ago, and re sold them about as quick as I bought them!
I still have a mohair cinch on my western show saddle, but have the AirfFlows now on my Balance ride saddle, which I use all the time, and also on Carmen's trail saddle
I changed, because I truly found the Weaver Air flow to be superior, and I have ridden many many trail miles over the years, using mohair cinches
 
#33 ·
Things change when you just have your saddle snug and if you're roping for a couple hours at a time after riding for a few more hours, like at a branding. We've sored horses with neoprene, mohair and other string cinches. We've stocked up on the weaver felt smart cinches over the years, because they are the only thing that seems to work for us.

My airflex has held it's own too, I really like it.

The thing with those straight neoprene ones is that you shouldn't be riding with them for more than an hour. They work great if I'm riding multiple horses for 20 minutes at a time and can hose it off between horses. I don't think they have much of a use beyond that.
 
#34 ·
Agree, concerning the straight neoprene, as I have already posted, and the OP was talking about an AIR flow weaver cinch, so all those going into neoprene cinches are not on topic, but just assuming they are one and the same with those straight neoprene cinches, so preaching to the choir-for me anyways!
 
#37 ·
Again, to judge correctly, you have to have actually used Mohair, a neoprene and a Weaver Air Flow, with the oP talking about the latter
I have used all three-the straight neoprene, only once or twice, to decide there are garbage
I have though ridden many miles and trained, using first the Mohair, and then later the Weaver Air Ride. The weaver AIr ride provides Air circulation and above and beyond Mohair cinches, JMO, and that comes for using both on long mountain rides
The protection at the cinch rings, the design, all add extra comfort, without compromising on air circulation.
Why are people going back to bringing up those terrible neoprene cinches, when they are not even the subject of this thread?
How can you judge something you have never used, nor seen the actual material and design?
 
#38 ·
Here is what the OP is talking about:

'The AirFlex Cinch offers the ultimate in cinch design! With the perfect combination of breathability, comfort and performance, the AirFlex Cinch is constructed from white cool flex foam that will not absorb heat like traditional black neoprene. This patented, state-of-the-art performance cinch features a unique airflow channel design that helps prevent heat from being trapped and maximizes air circulation. From cutting a cow to trail riding, riders of all types will appreciate this cinch's design. Plus, this cinch is easy to clean by simply hosing off after each ride. Padded flex edges move with your horse for extra cushioning and enhanced performance. Non-rust stainless steel hardware.
 
#39 ·
Some sensitive skinned horses don't do well with Mohair but the answe to that is buy a real sheepskin cover.

Add me to the "no fan of neoprene cinches" list. I trail ride and have always preferred 27 strand roper cinches. Fortunately cotton or nylon work well on my horses.

That all said, there are different rigging positions for cinches, maybe that's the issue?

Your Complete Guide to Saddle Rigging

I once got rid of a saddle because the center fire rigging didn't work on my horse.
 
#40 ·
I use a mohair and a neoprene. I don't cinch up really tight, generally have room for a few fingers at the bottom. What I do like about the neoprene is as others have said you just squirt it off and hang it up to dry.

I prefer a cinch to have material behind the buckles so those buckles aren't right up against the horse. Just personal preference.

I'm going to try a felt cinch, thanks for the reminder to pick one up.

I don't mean this to sound elitist or anything, but Mohair cinches are one of those things in my opinion that it doesn't hurt to research before buying. There are different blends. They might list it as Alpaca or whatever, but it could be as much as 60 or 70% rayon or some other synthetic fiber. Maybe that is technically okay, I just think it is dishonest to call something Alpaca when it is a "blend" at best. I guess in that regard you at least know what is up against your horse with a neoprene cinch.
 
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