Girth In English riding, the leather, cotton, or synthetic strap that buckles around the horse's belly and holds the saddle in place on the back. In Western riding, a cinch holds the saddle in place, is buckled at each end, and often is made of fleece or webbing.

Types of Girths

Different disciplines and different types of saddles call for different types of girths. A racing girth, for example, is usually made of elastic to allow the horse room for maximum ribcage expansion at a gallop. These are often used in conjunction with a racing surcingle, which crosses over the saddle for extra safety if the girth breaks. A dressage girth is shorter than the average girth, because the dressage saddle has more depth.

Leather girths have the advantage of durability, if well maintained. Cotton and synthetic girths cost less and are often cooler, absorbing less sweat.