The cinch dilemma varies with each horse and with rider preference.
Unfortunately, there is no one cinch that is the answer. You have to sort
through them for each horse. Some folks are lucky and find the right
combination immediately. Others, have quite a collection, while a few settle
for less-than-desired but better-than-the-worst.
I imagine that a horse's build has a lot to do with the saddle slipping
sideways. I've really never experienced that problem myself. I have noted
that a person must mount properly to avoid pulling the saddle over. I
believe this was discussed previously on the list.
Place the left hand on the horses neck (I frequently grab a handful of mane
because my horses are both tall), right hand on the back or seat of the
saddle, and left foot in the stirrup. Bounce a time or two on the right foot
and swing up. (Ocassionally, I'll have to "shift" the saddle to the right
after mounting sloppily when I'm getting tired.)
I ride with a fairly loose cinch. One of my horses will not tolerate a tight
or even snug cinch. He galls easily. I have yet to have the saddle slip
(oops, shouldn't have said anything!).
(I did, however, take a head dive off of this horse last weekend when he fell
during a ride. The saddle stayed in place --- I didn't!!)
Personally, I've found Teddy Lancaster's cinches with the elastic on both
ends to be the best. I hate the "fuzzies" but can live with cleaning the
cinch a lot better than sitting on the side lines because my horse is galled.
Teddy does have a woolfelt cinch that I have yet to try. It looked very
promising.
These cinches have a lot of "give" and my horses love them. However, I don't
know if this would prevent slippage.
Dr Joyce Harmon avocates woolfelt because it conforms to the horse --
probably whether it be cinch or saddle pad (my thought). I've very
successfully used a woolfelt insert along with the equalizer insert on a
horse with a sore back -- I couldn't believe the difference and the fact
that the horse's back improved even though I was riding. So, there obviously
must be merit to Dr. Harmon's suggestion.
I would think the woolfelt wouldn't slip as much as the wool blends. I have
tried the woolfelt pads in earlier years, but discounted it because of the
lack of flexibility of the large pad. I do have one in stock, if Bonnie
would like to give it a try.
Genie Stewart-Spears
Horse Works
Distributor for the Endurance Sports Saddle
(502) 443-1505 Mon-Fri 9-5 Central Time