Artisan Goods

Artisan Goods



MOHAIR GIRTHS & CINCHES


Made with love and commitment to your horse's comfort.

I have been using mohair girths and cinches for years, and I love them. So do my horses. I have a variety of girths and cinches, and they have all proven themselves over and over again through the miles of tough trail conditions and weather extremes to which they have been subjected. They are durable, strong, and easy to care for, but what I love most about them are how well they work for my horses. Soft, with just enough “give” to keep my horse comfortable and friction-free, I have not had to worry about rubs or girth galls.


I started making mohair cinches several years ago for my own needs and those of family members, and now that I am retired from teaching, I have the time to make custom mohair girths and cinches for others. I love working with mohair and making a product that can be put to good use right away and which will last for years. There are also many wonderful colors and design options to consider; in addition to its functional purpose, there is a fun, creative component to making a mohair cinch. 


All of my girths and cinches are made by hand on wooden looms from 100% mohair with stainless steel or brass buckles and D-rings. Prices start at $145.00 for a 17 strand (single layer) tied standard cinch or 14-strand (single layer) English girth, and $175 for a 27 strand (double layer) woven girth or cinch. 

Facts About Mohair

Mohair is sheared twice a year from the Angora goat, and this soft, lustrous fibre is also incredibly strong and durable. It is a much softer fiber than wool and noticeably stronger, with the added benefits that it does not felt and is unlikely to get matted or crushed.


Wonderfully lightweight, mohair “breathes” and does an excellent job of wicking away moisture. It stays cool in summer and warm in winter. Worldwide, it is known as the “diamond fiber” and is rated as one of the world’s most durable fibers. Long before synthetic materials arrived on the scene, mohair was the preferred fiber for girths and cinches due to its many wonderful properties and the comfortable fit it provides the horse. 


Information from American Mohair Council and U-Braid It


Care Instructions

After a ride, use a soft body brush to knock off any surface mud or dirt. If too wet and muddy, just let it dry before knocking off the crud. There is no need to remove any horse hair that has started to weave itself into the fibers; your horse’s hair adds to the comfort and functionality of your girth. 


For a slightly deeper cleaning, dunk your cinch into a bucket of tepid water and swish it around to remove the sweat and dirt from your ride, and then lay it flat to dry in a shady spot. Do not put in the sun to dry. 


As sweat accumulates, it can stiffen the fibers, so regular rinsing keeps everything soft and flexible. It is a good idea to give your girth or cinch a thorough washing every now and then to keep it comfortable for your horse and to prevent any embedded grit and grime from damaging the mohair fibers. The above bucket method with tepid water works great; just take a bit more time to “work” the cinch between your fingers to help loosen any dirt and sweat that has made its way into the weave. Continue to change the water until it runs clear. Be sure to use the same temperature of water throughout. Do not switch between cold and hot, and do not wash in the washing machine. After hand washing, please do not twist or wring out your cinch since it can torque the weave; just stretch it out flat in the shade and let it drip dry. 

Sizing Suggestions

If satisfied with your current girth or cinch buckle placement, take a measurement of your current set-up while your horse is saddled to confirm the length you need. Measure from the top of one buckle to the top of the other. Do not rely on the number on the tag (if you can find it!).


Another method is to use a soft measuring tape or string to measure from the center of the underside to four inches above the point of the elbow. This point should be below the widest point of the barrel. Multiply this length by two to get your size. If using an English saddle with shorter billets, your girth will be longer, extending past the widest part of the barrel to a point under the rider's leg. If your current girth has elastic, you’ll have to estimate the amount of stretch and then go up one or two sizes.


Each girth and cinch is individually made by hand on a wooden loom to the size you specify. Sizes are in 2” increments from 18” up. Once removed from the loom, the fibers relax and that “give” is one of the wonderful properties of mohair. Your horse will thank you for it!


WOOL BUCKLE GUARDS

I love working with wool, and our wool buckle guards are no exception. They are made from 100% Merino wool woven on a synthetic backing. Merino wool is known for its moisture-wicking and cushioning comfort. With two layers sewn together, these buckle guards have close to 1" of loft. Two styles are available: round and rectangle. They are designed to be used with mohair girths and cinches since for cinches, the leather knot goes through the mohair weave to secure it to the cinch. For girths, the buckles feed through the fleece loops on either side of the leather knot and concho. If the girth or cinch you currently use isn't mohair, please reach out as we do have other designs that attach differently. These wool buckle guards are washable, but you'll need to remove the leather knot and concho if putting them in the washing machine. After washing, the wool fleece will begin to look more like Sherpa fleece, but it will retain its moisture-wicking and cushioning properties. 

Silver Jewelry

I am drawn to the many creative possibilities that surface when working with a flame, some metal, and a hammer. Other tools are also important to the silversmith, but I am intrigued by the simplicity of the exchange between heat and force, and how it shapes different metals. The interplay between precision and experimentation defines my creative process. I work primarily in sterling silver and Argentium silver (a higher grade of silver that is unlikely to tarnish and with somewhat different melting properties). I love the way hammered surfaces catch the light and convey the beauty of imperfection. I'm not opposed to a highly polished surface, but I am repeatedly drawn to more organic and textured surfaces, and I love to experiment with old, often discared hammers that transfer the marks from their scarred heads onto the silver. Until recently, everything I have made has been for family and friends, but now, as time allows, I make chain necklaces, pendants, earrings, cuffs, and bracelets that are available for purchase.

Leather Goods

The smell of leather is one of those defining sensory experiences that so clearly relates to my life with horses. Whether entering a tack room, a tack shop, or the room where I store my rolls of leather, the smell of leather is grounding and soothing. For me, it is always reminiscent of care: the care we give to the leather we use for our horses and our safety by cleaning and oiling, and the clear association between that care and our love for these remarkable animals. There are also memories embedded in the smell of leather, so every time I work with leather, I am reminded of particular people, horses, and locations that have had an impact on my life. The smell and feel impart a sense of security and comfort. Since I love making things that I use and that others might enjoy using as well, I was drawn to learning to work with leather. Though I don't have visions of making saddles or bridles (at least not yet!), I do love working with leather. Until recently, everything I made was hand-stitched, but now that I have an industrial sewing machine, I am able to make more leather goods more quickly. 
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