Breastplate

[MoonlitArcher]

Just looking for some advice on the best breastplate or breast girths out there at the moment. Ive had my saddle checked a few weeks ago and some minor adjustments were made as it had become too wide where my horse had lost some weight. It now fits very well but I’m still finding it slips back a little so saddle fitter did advise that a breastplate might help.

I am not someone who likes lots of tack, my horse doesn’t need a martingale although I do ride with a neck strap as I like to have that security.

Have also read before about breastplates restricting shoulder movement, is this true? If so is there a design that is least restrictive?

The breastplates that I remember were a choice between a hunting breastplate or an elasticated one, but a quick search on google has thrown up all sorts of shapes and designs (some look like they need an instruction manual to put on!) so I just want to get some different opinions on the best and the worst of them.

Also, does anyone else have a problem with sliding saddles despite being a good fit?

Thanks

 

[ihatework]

Fairfax! Your eyes will water at the price but they fit so well and are a good choice for a minimalist tack person.

Also worth playing around with girthing

 

[Sir barnaby]

I have a Kincade elastic breast plate as I’ve always found them useful out hunting as you can grab them at the top when going over ditches, because the horses sweats a lot under the saddle when hunting the saddles tend to slip slightly no matter how good the fit is. As long as fitted right I find the elastic soon stretches if horse has to reach when jumping anything So doesn’t impede movement

 

[Scotsbadboy]

I have a lovely Premier Equine 3 point (the straps attach to the billets not the lazy way, D-rings ) but terribly sad news is for the love of god i cannot get it to fit the new horse, he is just too wide

 

[Goldenstar]

I won’t ever use anything on a my horse except a Fairfax now .
The first I put it on a horse and jumped it it’s well yes that better the horses are much happier .

 

[Cob Life]

I had a really nice mark Todd one that attached to the girth straps not D rings that I loved. I could Add a martingale to it as well.

 

[iknowmyvalue]

I’ve got an evo equine one for hunting (the only time we need a breastplate/martingale) which is a 3 point, leather with elastic inserts. I’d get a fairfax or ecorider style one if I could justify the price tag!

 

[MoonlitArcher]

@ihatework

What sort of girth might you recommend? The saddler did mention my horse has a forward girth groove, not too sure what this means but I have read in the past about girths affecting saddle fit I just never really looked into it. Thanks everyone for your replies

 

[Cragrat]

I won’t ever use anything on a my horse except a Fairfax now .
The first I put it on a horse and jumped it it’s well yes that better the horses are much happier .

Is a Fairfax breastplate really so different to a traditional racing breastplate? The attachments seem the same, but the Fairfax has a curve in the yoke? I've never seen a Fairfax in the flesh, so I'm really curious!

 

[lilly1]

Following with interest. I'm currently looking for a better breastplate. I've come across the PS of sweden high five breastplate online which looks interesting.

 

[saddlesore]

Fairfax or Kate negus 3 point. I’ve splurged on one of each and they’re great, worth the money ?

 

[MoonlitArcher]

Fairfax looks lovely but well out of my price range, any cheaper versions with similar desig?

 

[Littlewills]

The Rambo Micklem looks like a reasonable budget version