Saddle cinch issues

Question
I have several horses-I have a paint about 9 yrs old that I rescued-wonderful mare and good about everything except the saddle cinch-when I reach underneath her for the latago strap she just goes ballistic-when I do get the strap and attempt to snug it a little-same result..--Any thoughts????

Answer
Hi Richard!

She's a little "cinchy" or "girthy" we call it.  This can be easily solved  :-)

Pick a treat that she loves and will only get during her training time with you.  Find a patient helper too.  Go through your usual motions of tacking up with the helper in front of the mare holding the treats.  Allow the mare to focus on he treats, no need to hide them.  You WANT her attention diverted.

Slowly but steadily work up to the point where she gets unhappy and maybe 5 seconds BEFORE you feel she will react negatively, stuff the treats in her....lots of treats.

The trick is to divert her, associate something positive with something that was negative and to then carry on, business as usual.  Don't use any extra words or gestures. Be slow but steady and purposeful in all your moves, so she isn't surprised or angered by suddenness. Don't make a big deal out of anything.  Drawing attention to her behavior is the last thing you want to do.  So, now you need to repeat this as often as necessary.  Consistency is vital.  

I am going to pause here to point out that you are a man.....ever notice? LOL!!  99% of the questions I get are from women....who are not as strong as you are, I am sure.  So, you must be careful that you are not "over-tightening" the cinch.  You may not even realise you are doing it.  It does not have to be crazy tight.  Just enough to hold the saddle in place while you mount and then after a minute or so in the saddle and she relaxes, you can re-tighten.  This is easier in an English saddle but, possible in a Western.

Back to your mare.  The trick is to first, divert her attention, second, show her the cinch will not be too uncomfortably tight and third to wean her off the treats.  In the beginning, she should get lots of treats every time.  Then, just a few treats every time.  When she shows improvement, treats only every other time and replace with verbal praise in between.  Eventually, no treats will be needed...but, she will think if she behaves, treats will be coming anytime now.  This is called Intermittent Reinforcement.  Feel free to occasionally produce a treat at cinching time to reinforce the waiting on her part.

Now, this will take as long as she makes it take.  Force will not work in this situation, you must simpley be more clever than her.  There will be good days and bad days....but, consistent training will work.

Another suggestion is the Clicker Method.  This works on horses as well as on dogs and you can Google this or buy a book/tape on it.

Be firm, be patient and be consistent.

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange