Breastplates- a trend?

ClassicG&T

ClassicG&T

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Okay, i know that breastplates do help when doing XC or showjumping sometimes, but im finding they are becoming a bit of a trend...

Was at a dressage comp today, and at least half the people there has 5point breastplates on.
A friend competed Novice BE last weekend (coming 6th) and she doesnt have/need a breastplate and competes all phases in a snaffle! But she got some comments about not using a breastplate...

I can understand if a saddle slides back, but in some cases are they used as a fashion thing?
 
wewillshowthem said:
Okay, i know that breastplates do help when doing XC or showjumping sometimes, but im finding they are becoming a bit of a trend...
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They don't do any harm, and as well as helping prevent saddles slipping they can provide a useful neckstrap.

They have always been popular IME, although more hunting style/3 points than 5 points :)
 
I use a hunting breastplate when hunting and recently xc schooling. I feel it gives you abit more security and as I have a running martingale on for these actvities I felt I may as well of got a hunting breastplate for what I use it for...
Never have it on for schooling or hacking... Not needed.

I can not fathom why you would need a 5 point breastplate for dressage, correct me if i'm wrong...

So yes breastplates are a trend atm in some instances, you see people wondering thier horse up the lane in the most intricate breastplate out there and I do wonder why... I see no need for one for what I do with my boy atm, who knows when we move on up. But they do seem more fasionable...
 
Wow use dressage peeps are getting a bashing tonight! I use a five point breastplate/martingale 1) because i need a running martingale at the moment and 2) dee's saddle slips. Simples.
 
My 18hh gelding has a very long wither and a neckstrap actually sits too far forward for me to grab.

He has a breastplate on as the top part sits far enough back on his wither that it is much easier to grab or stick a little finger under.

Also at BD you aren't allowed neckstraps at Novice or above.
Someone may correct me but i think you are allowed breastplates so it is one way around the neckstrap rule :)
 
black_horse said:
Wow use dressage peeps are getting a bashing tonight! I use a five point breastplate/martingale 1) because i need a running martingale at the moment and 2) dee's saddle slips. Simples.
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I can understand if the saddle slips, but some of the people a saw today and see a lot around the circuit have never used one before and saddles have always been fine and horses were behaving perfectly as usual.

Im not having a go just saying they are becoming verrry popular
 
Same reason as black horse!

I have a huge withered horse so my 5 point is essential for dressage or any discipline!

Obviously for dressage I unattach the running martingale bit on the reins to the breast plate b but that's what they are designed for!

Would not ride without!
 
The pony has very little in the way of withers and is prone to stopping, spinning or just going sideways with no notice. I'm not happy to cut him in half with his girth so tight that he cant breathe so a breastplate gives a little more security and a grab strap if needed. I dont put the martingale attatchment on though because we dont need it.
 
Having had an accident that almost got me killed (horse got stuck on a gate out hacking and saddle slipped) it would have still been bad as took half a gate up the road but the saddle slipping resulted in the horse compeltly panicking. So I always use a breastplate now, IMO better safe then sorry. But I do also like the look of them, I generally go for a racing or 3point.
 
Buds_mum said:
I can not fathom why you would need a 5 point breastplate for dressage, correct me if i'm wrong...
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Why does it matter though? :confused: It's a safety belt, it's only there for when things go wrong! Dressage horses are more than capable of showing off their athletic prowess in the warm up :D

I think 5 points also appear to fit certain horses better and have more scope for adjustment which may explain why more people are using them in preference to other breastplates :)
 
IMHO, I agree with OP. I'm all for breast girths and hunting breast plates, BUT the 5 point IS a trend. I also happen to 'dislike' them. What is wrong with a hunting breast plate? The 5 point thingy is a realitively new ''must have item', that ''we'' spend far too much money on. I also happen to think they look tight and restricting and personally will never be getting one!

I'm also pretty sure, 'back in the day' dressage combinations didn't need any form of breast plate. Does that mean that the horses have changed so drastically now that it is deemed necessary? perhaps they have got too wide? or perhaps it is a fault with the 'more modern saddles'? Or for those needing a neck strap, maybe we have more 'high spirited horses' now than ever before which could be feed or management related? Who knows for sure, but it sure is a change of the times if you ask me.
 
Buds_mum said:
I can not fathom why you would need a 5 point breastplate for dressage, correct me if i'm wrong...
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A trot like this

561405_10150619136180978_670970977_9052952_901568788_n.jpg


526446_10150619136380978_670970977_9052955_188617684_n.jpg


here you can see how big her shoulder is and how well she uses it

536942_10150619136980978_670970977_9052961_1716716633_n.jpg


and just to show a before picture, note how the numnah still slips, but the saddle doesnt

530306_10150619289565978_670970977_9054034_1838273879_n.jpg
 
black_horse said:
Wow use dressage peeps are getting a bashing tonight! I use a five point breastplate/martingale 1) because i need a running martingale at the moment and 2) dee's saddle slips. Simples.
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OH well yeah I totally get that. I was more commenting to be corrected as I have horrifying ignorance when it comes to 'proper' dressage and what it requires, I'm sure it involves far more than you see at local level rc events. Edit! Omg those pictures!! She is immense! Ok I stand corrected!! :D

And Rhino yeah I suppose for something with alot of shoulder etc a 5 point does have more scope for adjustments. :)
 
Fools Motto said:
IMHO, I agree with OP. I'm all for breast girths and hunting breast plates, BUT the 5 point IS a trend. I also happen to 'dislike' them.
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In your opinion. I had a normal hunting breast plate, a) it didnt fit dee and b) didnt stop the saddle slipping.

What is wrong with a hunting breast plate? The 5 point thingy is a realitively new ''must have item', that ''we'' spend far too much money on. I also happen to think they look tight and restricting and personally will never be getting one!
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See my pictures, does dee look restricted to you?

I'm also pretty sure, 'back in the day' dressage combinations didn't need any form of breast plate. Does that mean that the horses have changed so drastically now that it is deemed necessary? perhaps they have got too wide? or perhaps it is a fault with the 'more modern saddles'? Or for those needing a neck strap, maybe we have more 'high spirited horses' now than ever before which could be feed or management related? Who knows for sure, but it sure is a change of the times if you ask me.
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We are also breeding dressage horses which are bigger and have flasher paces then the previous more classical horses. My saddle is a special saddle tailored to my disability. It fits dee relaly well, but she is changing shape and soon ill probably have to change saddles. Delicia is high spirited, she is fed Pure Easy out of the pure hrose feeds range. She is on fibre, ad lib hay, and grass. That is it! Clearly you do not know much about some modern warmblood breeds.
 
Buds_mum said:
And Rhino yeah I suppose for something with alot of shoulder etc a 5 point does have more scope for adjustments. :)
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Oh I don't wear one at all, do have a hunting breastplate somewhere but tend to wear as little tack as possible, even xc ;)

tamht.jpg


I just understand why other people do :D
 
Nope I only se a breastplate at a comp. All my home-work is done without.

Its only there at comps (excluding dressage) as secrity and an emergency handle lol, I normally pop a martingale on for comps so i by hunter breastplates with the detachable martingale front.
 
Just to add another photo of a 5 point not restricting movment
SANY1081.jpg

the 5 point is much less restrictive than a traditional leather hunter breastplate but proveides me with a much more secure grab strap than my elastic 3 point.
 
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