Best breasplate/breastgirth and girth combo to prevent saddle slipping back

[RachelFerd]

My youngster has no real girth groove - he's very athletically shaped and despite being on a luxurious intake of hard feed and ad lib hay, he is quite determined to retain a svelte healthy figure... he's in nice condition, but as a result has no defined girth groove, is built uphill with a high withe rtoo and everything wants to slide back at all times - particularly with fast work and jumping.

I've always used elastic (racing style) breastgirths, but I've just noticed that his has started to rub a little around the shoulder when it has pulled too snugly, so I'd like to find him something more ergonomic that we can use through the winter and into the event season.

I haven't had a horse with a saddle slippage issue in a while now so I'm not up to speed with the latest opinions on which combinations of girths and breastplates are best - and super comfortable.

Current girth is a prolite fairfax type one. Willing to change that too...

What should be on my shopping list?

 

[Northern Hare]

You've probably already tried one, but what about an Acavallo gel non-slip pad under the saddle, or a Limpet saddle pad?

 

[RachelFerd]

You've probably already tried one, but what about an Acavallo gel non-slip pad under the saddle, or a Limpet saddle pad?

Not keen on the non slip pads as have had issues with racehorses getting funny skin problems & pressure marks from them...

 

[ihatework]

I suppose it’s a balance between keeping the saddle in place by a breastplate that will by the nature of the situation be pulled tightish (thus increasing chest pressure, potential to rub, potential impact on shoulder movement) versus methods of keeping saddle in place with the breastplate just there as a back up.

Now the former you probably want a 5 point and use of sheep if needed.

My preference would, despite your reservations from the racehorses, trial anti-slip pads and combine with a fairfax breastplate (fairfax won’t be belt & braces enough in this situation on its own. You could trial pad plus your elastic breastgirth before splashing out)

Girthing I always default to Pro Choice Ventech

 

[LEC]

Or you go old fashioned and get a chamois if you don’t want gel anti slip.

 

[RachelFerd]

Or you go old fashioned and get a chamois if you don’t want gel anti slip.

Perhaps this should be my cheapest first port of call...

 

[LEC]

Perhaps this should be my cheapest first port of call...

I always start cheap or borrowing! Saying that I have a friend whose horse has very sensitive skin (this year his hair just fell off after an allergic reaction to something) and done very well in a thin gel anti slip pad against his skin for several years. Get dunked in a bucket after xc and hung out to dry so easy to manage.

 

[sbloom]

The best combo is rearward girth straps (eg 2 and 4, balance strap, of four) and a big fat girth like the Le Tixerant. Breastplates affect jumping technique, Fairfax have developed one that is supposed to avoid this, but one may not be necessary if you fix the funamentals.

 

[Goldenstar]

I don’t use non Slip pads anymore because of risk to muscles fascias.
I been in this situation when H was young he looked like a Pterodactyl all bones and no muscles I used a five point ( I really really hate them )with sheep bits for the first two seasons hunting .
If you really need to try something under sadly I would use a chamois leather .
H now does not need anything but we use a hunting Brest plate for hunting just in case .
We did have to get through a long day to sort the saddle even with the five point .

I owned one very uphill horse and a 5mm shim under the back of the saddle made a huge difference not ideal but might be worth a try .

 

[AFB]

My first port of call girth wise would be a Professionals Choice - no help on breastplates though, not something I have much experience with at all.