girth size question : western, vs english cc/dressage

[Lieslot]

If a horse normally takes a 36 inch dressage girth, or a 56 inch close contact/AP girth, what would you say would be a good size western.

I noticed most cinches only go up to 36, unless you get a draft cinch.
I'm a right assuming a 36 cinch will be too small?? :confused:

Thank you!

[goodhors]

You probably will want to measure the horse, before purchasing a western cinch. Sizing will depend on what the horse measures under the belly, from just above the elbow on his barrel to the same place on the other side of him.

You want the cinch rings above elbow to prevent his hitting the metal, rubbing with the top of rings in that soft area, loose skin.

With the latigo straps that tie girth on, you have tremendous adjustment on both sides of saddle. Some Western saddles come further down the horse sides, so distance from saddle ring to cinch ring is small, other saddles have more distance. You don't want the two rings meeting, should be some latigo length between the rings, or girth would be too big for the horse.

Keep your cinch clean and dry for each outing, to prevent soring the horse when riding. I change girths daily, when days are very hot, horse sweats a lot during his work.