Are breastgirths necessary?

[Hollyhorse]

In most of the photos I've seen of eventers (including top eventers like Pippa Funnell) they are using a breastgirth. They often also have a breastplate with martingale attachment over the top. Surely the breastplate with martingale does the same thing as a breastgirth - do they need both? Is this really necessary? I don't approve of kitting my event horse up unless I feel it's all necessary. Anyway my horse has a breastplate with martingale attachment and I plan to take him eventing this summer and take him up to Novice - when I see this common trend of eventers using breastgirths it makes me think that maybe it's an important piece of kit and I should use one too? Any views?

 

[482739]

maybe its like an incase thing or that its safer to have a attached one incase they fall off and to stop the neck bit of a 'normal' martingale going overe the horses head. Im not sure though

 

[air78]

If your saddle does move when galloping/ jumping, then a breast girth is needed to keep the saddle firmly in place. They are less restrictive than a hunter breast plate, which would have to be fitted very snugly to actually stop the saddle slipping.
If you are using a hunter breast plate as a martingale, it should then be fitted as a martingale i.e. looser, to give the horse enough freedom in the neck to jump.
Using the two together is a bit 'belt and braces'

but at least you have a back up should the other break.
Personaly, I would always use a breast girth for fast work, even though my saddle does not slip, just in case............ I do think alot of people are following fashion though, but more on the martingale front.

 

[Irishcobs]

I'm not sure what you mean, a elastic breastplate thing that attaches to the saddle only with a hunting breastplate over the top?

Ours all wear a breast plate with a martingale over the top. They all wear it, whether doing intro or 4*. Like this

 

[buckybee]

Suppose it just depends what you want really , you don't have to have one just becasue everyone else does! They are only really a saftey thing though and I don't imagine they restrict the horse too much, so people probably just wear them to be on the safe side.

 

[LEC]

I think hunting breastplates are useless and really do not do much where as racing breastplates are much more stable, elasticated for a bit of give and properly keep your saddle in place. I always ride in a breastplate.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Wouldn't jump without one, its a safety issue. Have seen a nasty accident where a saddle slipped back half way round a X-country course.

 

[KatB]

I dont use a martingale, but do use a hunting breastplate and will use a breastgirth too for eventing. My saddle is prone to move because of my horses shape(yes it is pro fitted), and if it is going to go anywhere it will be backwards, so prefer to be safe than sorry!

 

[igglepiggle]

I just use a breastplate/martingale as I've never noticed the saddle slip. I don't really need the martingale but I figure they would both help a bit if I needed it. Obviously, if I had a ton of cash I'd get a nice Devoucoux Kolibri but I don't!
Interesting thread though...maybe someone should do a poll to see how many use a hunting breastplate and how many a breastgirth, how many both etc.

 

[Hollyhorse]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not sure what you mean, a elastic breastplate thing that attaches to the saddle only with a hunting breastplate over the top?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah that's what I mean - the elastic strap that goes from girth to girth, sometimes with a neckstrap bit too. Then with a hunting breastplate with martingale attachment over the top. I have the hunting breastplate with martingale attachment at the moment because he sometimes really throws his head up, plus the breastplate provides a mini neckstrap should I need it

From everything everyone has said about hunting breastplates not actually holding the saddle in position and stopping it slip and when galloping etc this can be an issue, I think it would be wise for me to get a breastgirth as well - as many of you have said - just in case. Better to be safe than sorry! Many thanks for all your replies - a real eye opener.