5 point vs. hunting breastplate

[HelenBack]

I’m thinking of buying a five point breastplate for going cross country. I have a couple of hunting breastplates and neither sits particularly well on my horse.

Has anybody who has used both found that the five point sits better, and do you find the five point better than the hunting breastplate in general for XC? Happy to spend the money but don’t want to do so if it doesn’t bring any significant benefits.

 

[Mildlander]

Will follow this as having similar dilemma

 

[BethanT]

I am super fussy, combined with an odd shaped horse.

I have gone for a breast-girth that attaches to the girth, and then an elastic breast-strap to attached to the D rings on the saddle.

If you look at a lot of the top eventers and what they wear they use similar set ups. Mainly attaching to the girth over the D rings. IME if you just use a hunting breastplate, and the saddle slips, it just pulls the front of the saddle down. I would rather it was anchored somewhere more stable.

 

[Shay]

I've used both - getting the fit right is more important than whether you have 3 points of attachment or 5. Or 2 if you opt for a racing breast girth. The Pessoa 5 point is lovely and flexible in fit. I've found it suits most horses because it is so adjustable. I'm not personally a fan of the breastplates with big fluffy pads at the joins - I like something more streamlined and workmanlike. (Plus less to get soaked with mud hunting.)

The only thing I would say is that an ill fitting 3 point will drag the saddle down onto the withers - and ill fitting 5 point just won't go on at all. So I suppose you get more warning that you need to adjust the fit.

 

[Mkw]

What do you use it for?
If it's just for attaching the martingale then either would do, it's just a matter of fitting it properly.
If it is for keeping the saddle in place, then I'd go for 5-point, a 3-point that attaches to the girth rather than the D-rings or a simple breast girth.
A 3-point (especially the Y-shaped ones) that attaches to the D-rings will put pressure on the top front of the saddle if the saddle slips (of course, it's the only place it attaches) and thereby push the front of the saddle down.
I ended up with a Passier Auriga - sort of a combination of the simple breast girth and a regular 5-point. Works for me.

 

[HelenBack]

Thanks for the feedback everybody. I’m going to have a look for a five point and will look at the suggestions above. I have wondered if we might end up with a breast girth and this is what I used with success with my old horse so I won’t be ruling that option out either.

Currently watching Badminton and seeing what all the professionals are using!