The Misunderstood Flank Cinch
June 13, 2007 by Saddle Sense
Filed under Saddle Parts
The flank cinch (aka back or rear cinch) is a saddle part that many folks pay little attention to and often couldn’t tell you why they use.
It’s a common misconception that flank cinches will prevent a saddle from moving forward on a horse, especially during downhill riding. Wrong. You’ll need a crupper or breeching to prevent forward movement.
The purpose of the flank cinch is to hold the back end of the saddle down on the horse’s back, especially during strenuous activity such as roping and fast stops. Flank cinches were originally added to western saddles to stabilize the saddle when tying cattle to the horn. Without the flank cinch, the saddle will tend to tip up in the back when such pressure is applied to the front of the saddle.
Do you need to ride with a flank cinch? While they’re not absolutely necessary for the casual rider, they do provide some nice additional stability to your saddle. However, it is very important that you adjust the flank cinch properly.
The most common mistake is leaving a flank cinch too loose. To work properly it must be tight enough to engage if the saddle begins to tip up. If it’s too loose, it won’t prevent tipping and could cause a wreck if your horse gets a foot hung up in it. Tighten your flank cinch up snug against your horse’s belly so there isn’t a gap.
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