How do I choose the right girth or cinch and how should it fit?

The girth or cinch is the strap that secures the saddle to the horse, and its correct fit is as important to the horse's comfort and performance as the saddle itself. A girth that is too tight restricts breathing and creates discomfort that shows up as cinchiness, resistance to being saddled, or back tension during work. One that is too loose allows the saddle to shift during riding, creating an unsafe situation and sores from the girth sliding against the skin. The girth should be positioned approximately four inches behind the horse's elbow to prevent the elbow from contacting the girth with each stride, which causes elbow sores and creates a mechanical restriction of the front leg's forward swing. Most saddles have a natural hang point that places the girth correctly when the billets are tightened to an appropriate length. Girth material affects both comfort and durability. Leather girths are traditional and durable but require the same care as other leather equipment. Anatomically shaped girths with contoured or cutback edges at the elbow are designed to reduce elbow contact by moving the forward edge of the girth away from the elbow's path of motion. Fleece-covered or neoprene girths are popular for horses with sensitive skin, but neoprene can cause sweating and skin irritation in horses that react to synthetic materials. A girth that is the correct length for the saddle and horse will tighten to a middle position on the billet straps — not to the top holes, which leaves no room for tightening if needed, and not to the bottom holes, which positions the buckle near the saddle flap where it can create pressure.