Question:
A question about tack. I saw a saddle set up with the back cinch tight and a little further back. Do you know anything about this set up? Is it just a specific saddle or what?

Answer:
There are those who think that if the rear girth is set closer to the flanks where the torso becomes narrower, it will hold the saddle back more efficiently than either breeching or cruppers. Having your saddle fit correctly and stay in place is critical when trail riding and during many other equine activities. However, I would be remiss if I did not mention that the way the saddle is rigged has a definite effect on your equine's anatomy. Personally, I use cotton string girths in front and secure them four inches behind the forearm to clear the sensitive skin where most equines are galled. I use a crupper to keep both English and Western saddles in place over the center of balance, on those animals whose withers are not able to keep the saddle back because it allows for free range of motion both in front and in the rear. The back girth on a double-rigged Western, Australian or Side Saddle is to keep the rear part of the saddle from rising up while the equine is in motion over uneven terrain. It should only be adjusted snugly enough to keep it where it sits when the equine is at a standstill. That is why old saddle double-rigging included a strap between the two girths to keep them in place. 

The front girth should lie underneath, at the posterior (back) end of the sternum where the bones are very thick and supportive. The back girth should lie straight down from the saddle where it should be snugly fit, but not too tight to simply hold the back of the saddle down. In this position, it is still supported by somewhat thick undercarriage rib-like bones that support the torso. When the equine is in motion, this back-girth rigging is perpendicular to the ground, and will stabilize the saddle in place without "moving" the bones and does not interfere with the internal organs. When the back girth is not attached and is tightened nearer the flanks to prevent the saddle from moving forward while the equine is in motion downhill, it applies undue pressure to the thinnest undercarriage bones that support the torso. The tightened back girth will torque the rib cage backwards (spreading the rib cage as per the Laws of Physics), increasing the pressure on these fragile undercarriage bones and puts them at risk for fracture. It also compresses the genitalia and intestinal tract when the equine is in motion, interfering with their normal function and can cause symptoms of ulcers, colic or worse.

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