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Gettin Jiggy Wit It
Posts: 2734
   
| Recently I have been obsessing about my tack and equipment like I do every winter when I give my horses a break. This year my shift seems to be on cinches, front and back for some reason lol. I guess its just a way to get myself through the wait until spring. I always have rode in a back cinch. My saddles fit very well on each of my horses (had them both custom done)... ANYWAYS My observation at the NFR this year is the amount of ladies not using back cinches. I noticed Nancy, Fallon and Sarah dont ride with one, just to name a few. So what are your thoughts and why DO you or why DON'T you choose to use one? 
Edited by WetSaddleBlankets 2015-12-08 5:06 PM
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 Underestimated Underdog
Posts: 3971
Location: Minnesota | I was actually just wondering the same thing. I personally use one but I'd also be interested to hear others opinions on this.
Great thread! |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| I have always used a back cinch. Meleeta Brown told me to use one on the saddle she makes. But I have always used my horses to work cattle and I used to rope, or try to. I was taught to always use a back cinch. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 516
| Added safety measure - same reason I use a breast collar. If I get in a bind, I don't need my saddle sliding off due to no breast collar or back cinch. |
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Expert
Posts: 2122
Location: The Great Northwest | You wouldn't need a back cinch on a saddle rigged 3/4 or center, but if it is 7/8 you may want one depending how the saddle feels with or with out. They are just in the way when queing my horse too. |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | I ride in both. The more snug the back cinch is, the less I have to cinch up the front cinch. It also takes pressure off the withers. I'll always ride with one--more of a roper than a racer.
Edited by hammer_time 2015-12-08 7:08 PM
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 Ms. Elvis
Posts: 9606
Location: Running barrels or watching nascar | My horse doesn't like it and I accidentally kick at it so I took it off one of my saddles. |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | I've noticed a TON of girls all year not using them. I really hate them because they get in the way of some of my leg aids but never actually take them off "just in case". I have, however, ditched my breast collar lately. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| Unless you're roping I don't see a need. Now I have one on every saddle and I fit them snug on every horse I ride, but mostly because it's habit. I've had a roping accident because I didn't fit my back cinch correctly. Some say you need it to keep the back of your saddle from flopping around but a properly fitted saddle will fix that, IMO. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | I won't ride without a back cinch, and it has to be tight |
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 Sorry I don't have any advice
Posts: 1975
Location: Sunnyland Florida |
I haven't used back cinches for many years. The sport saddles don't usually need them, and another reason many ditch them is due to the additonal weight. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560
Location: Where the buffalo roam | I have not used a back cinch for barrel racing in years. I have really short legs and everytime I have tried to use one because some supposed "expert" said you should, I end up just kicking the back cinch and it's like a little kid riding their Dad's rope horse and kicking the skirt - the horse ignores it. I'm not a hard kicker so I need any advantage I can get. I have never had an issue with it causing a sore back or any of the other things some people list. In the end it is purely personal choice. |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | FlyingJT - 2015-12-09 7:52 AM Unless you're roping I don't see a need. Now I have one on every saddle and I fit them snug on every horse I ride, but mostly because it's habit. I've had a roping accident because I didn't fit my back cinch correctly. Some say you need it to keep the back of your saddle from flopping around but a properly fitted saddle will fix that, IMO.
But I've seen several saddles "flopping" up in the back without a back cinch....do all of those fit poorly?
I use a back cinch for the stability plus I feel that a front and back cinch should even out the force or pressure on the horse. A saddle without a back cinch feels loosey goosey to me. |
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I AM being nice
Posts: 4396
Location: MD | Having grown up in south FL, I never had to deal with riding on any sort of real "terrain". Plus, I don't rope off of my barrel horses. For me, they're just a piece of equipment that I have never felt a need for. Now, I'm not adverse to them, just haven't been in a situation where I felt one wold benefit either. |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| I have used a back cinch when running since I was 12.
At the age of 12, I was in a saddle without a back cinch. My horse stopped hard at the gate, which caused the ill fitting saddle to flip up in the back. It threw me off, between that and momentum. I landed on a steel bar with my back, and still have bruising/blood deposits in my spine. I'm 34.
We have it on video (VHS, or I'd show it.) and as they are walking the horse out, you can see the saddle is in the flipped up position. I think the saddle was too wide around the withers, so it slid back and then popped up in the rear. |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | This discussion reminds me of Piggydogs last day with us. Wasn't it her last post that spoke of rear cinches and saddle flopping?
I will never run without one. Granted, I need to punch a few more holes in mine, as it still sits a bit loose. But I believe that a saddle can smack regardless of fit. |
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Expert
Posts: 1857
| LMS - 2015-12-09 8:43 AM
FlyingJT - 2015-12-09 7:52 AM Unless you're roping I don't see a need. Now I have one on every saddle and I fit them snug on every horse I ride, but mostly because it's habit. I've had a roping accident because I didn't fit my back cinch correctly. Some say you need it to keep the back of your saddle from flopping around but a properly fitted saddle will fix that, IMO.
But I've seen several saddles "flopping" up in the back without a back cinch....do all of those fit poorly?
I use a back cinch for the stability plus I feel that a front and back cinch should even out the force or pressure on the horse. A saddle without a back cinch feels loosey goosey to me.
I don't know 100%, maybe Meleeta Brown or a saddle maker will come on here and straighten us all out. My thought process is that if you have a saddle rocking forward or flipping up in the back, you have too wide a gullet and your saddle is sitting in a downward position, or your bars are angled wrong for your horses back(semi or full). |
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | Whether my saddle fits or don't fit it will always have a breast collar and a back cinch and a half breed billet . Been in to many wrecks with broke and or started horses that could have saved me some extra bruises, loose horses , cuts and walking home. Just cause they lost a few nuts at the NFR does't mean you should. Always go prepared not for meek or weak. |
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Gettin Jiggy Wit It
Posts: 2734
| Great discussion! |
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 Belle Of The Rodeo
Posts: 1337
Location: Pa | To each is own! I don't use them any more. It just got in my way. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1162
Location: White Mountains of AZ | For me, its kinda like having a spare tire for my truck. No, I've never actually needed to use it, but...it's there in just in case. I know if I didn't ride in one, that'd be the time I'd actually need it! And for extra weight... I don't think my horses mind all that much! |
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Miss Not Exciting
Posts: 3279
Location: Ft Worth TX | i DONT USE ONE ANY MORE, got in the way of using my legs! |
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Cat Collector
Posts: 1430
| Great thread...
I liked the spare tire comment! I have never thought about taking my back cinch off, I don't think "I" would feel safe without one, it would be like something is missing! |
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Back Cinches and the NFR girls