Breast girths

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Erehwemos

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This may sound a really, really silly question, but do they actually serve a purpose? I know the idea of a breastplate is to stop the saddle slipping backwards, but does a breast girth (the elastic ones that fit around the front of the horse's neck and attach to the Ds of the saddle) actually do the same thing? Or is it just a fashion item?

I only ask because although I always used to have a breast plate, I no longer ride Ellie in a martingale so have literally just been using saddle and bridle - nothing else. I love the look of a breastgirth, but I dont want to go a) spending needless money and b) using tack that I dont need - if, indeed, no purpose is served. I dont tend to have problems with saddle slipping - we went on a 14 mile ride on Sunday and the saddle hadnt moved by the end of it!

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IMO a breastgirth is much more effective at stopping the saddle slipping back than a breastplate- a breastplate is better at stopping side to side movement.

On my horse, if I dont use a breastgirth then the saddle ends up somewhere near her pelvis without fail.
 
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IMO a breastgirth is much more effective at stopping the saddle slipping back than a breastplate- a breastplate is better at stopping side to side movement.

On my horse, if I dont use a breastgirth then the saddle ends up somewhere near her pelvis without fail.

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Thanks for the reply, Bossanova!
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So would you say that you prefer the ones that literally just go around the neck, or the type that have a strap over the withers?
 
I prefer just the single loop ones that just go round the neck. I use one on every horse I ride both at home and at shows. The ones I use at home now are JHL/Mark Todd ones, very hard wearing, been going for nearly 6 years on atleast 5 horses a day. My comp ones are the very lush Antares ones, more expensive but look very smart.

I prefer the loopy ones as a breatplate can cause problems between the pec muscles if the saddle slips.
 
Thank you! I think I will probably stick to my guns and get one then - better to be safe than sorry I think! I dont know that I would ever want to go back to a conventional hunting breastplate again - Elz is much less sore between her front legs now I've stopped using it!

I bought a Jumpers HL breast girth last year in the sale, but it was too small
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Unfortunately they dont seem to make anything with brass fittings anymore, so I'm gonna have to look elsewhere!
 
I have a brand new full size John Whitaker Breast Girth looking for a new home... Fairly sure the fittings are brass as well
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I have a brand new full size John Whitaker Breast Girth looking for a new home... Fairly sure the fittings are brass as well
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Oh wow! That sounds nice! Could you poss.find a link to the one you have on the internet, so I can see? I would be very interested, would have to get you to measure it for me though as I have tried a JHL cob = too small, and a Kincade full= too big
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Deffo interested though
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i have one of each. the ones that attaches to the girth is great - but on one of my horses it restricts the shoulder movement a bit so he wears the neck only one.
 
I use the one that goes around the withers and fastens to my girth as I have a breasteplate on too. They both work well, and I rarely hack out without one on.
 
Thank you!
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Looks nice!

I have just put a bid in on an Ebay one, so will let you know if I win it - dont want you measuring/taking pics for no reason! Auction ends in an hour though
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