Girth (tack) Girth (tack) A girth, sometimes called a cinch (Western riding), is a piece of equipment used to keep the saddle in place on a horse or other animal. It passes under the barrel of the equine, usually attached to the saddle on both sides by two or three leather straps called billets. Girths are used on Australian and English saddles, while western saddles and many pack saddles have a cinch, which is fastened to the saddle by a single wide leather strap on each side, called a latigo. Although a girth is often enough to keep a well-fitting saddle in
Girth (tack) they are attached to a single piece of webbing to the saddle's tree. Since the first billet is attached to a separate piece of webbing, riders can safely combine its use with either of the other two billets. There are other girthing systems available such as the Adjustable Y system or a similar girthing system. These also provide an adjustment option and have a front girth strap which is connected to the saddle tree point, and a rear girth strap giving it a Y shape and stability. Girth (tack) A girth, sometimes called a cinch (Western riding), is a piece