Can you recommend me a breast-plate?

[enjimmy1]

I'm looking for a breast-plate for eventing on my 15hh mare.
Which type of breast-plate would you recommend? Which one do you use and why?
I don't want anything tooooo pricey but definitely something that will do it's job! I have been told 5-point breast plates are the best - is this true?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[NaeNae87]

Depends what you want it for, your horses body type and personal preferences. Is it there to prevent your saddle slipping back? Is it there just in case? Is your horse fine with a narrow chest? Chunky and wide?

I have an elastic Y fit breast plate. I use it on green horses or when my horse decides to evade by throwing his head up (I then use the martingale attachments). I have never really needed a 5 point on my horses and I find them tricky to fit, One of my horses is super narrow - pony size stuff is too small, horse size is too big and have yet to find a good quality one I like in a cob sized. My other horse is stocky but his chest and shoulder are strange which makes saddle fitting and breast plates a nightmare.

Most of the time I use a polo style breastplate as I find they fit my horses better without restricting movement and offer enough security and stability for both show jumping and xc.

That is just my personal preference though. What works for you and your horse may be different.

 

[glamourpuss]

I dislike the 5 point breastplates with a passion. To me they seem incredibly restrictive. IMO to have them tight enough to actually work you have a main pressure point sat right on the shoulder. I like my horses to have complete freedom through their shoulders.
I just use an elastic v-check hunting breastplate. The Mark Todd one is nice although I'm currently using an ancient Shires one. I prefer this type as IMO it runs over the top of the shoulder & can move upwards with the shoulder when it swings up.

My caveat here is this is based purely on my own opinion & observations.

 

[enjimmy1]

Depends what you want it for, your horses body type and personal preferences. Is it there to prevent your saddle slipping back? Is it there just in case? Is your horse fine with a narrow chest? Chunky and wide?
.

I would be using it mainly out of precaution but I did notice when I went xc schooling last weekend her saddle did slip back a small bit & my instructor recommended getting a breast plate for her. I would say she's more on the fine side but I wouldn't describe her as narrow (she's TB x Hanoverian), she can be quite hard to fit as even some cob-size stuff is too big.
Thank you very much for your help, think I'm off breast plate shopping tomorrow!

 

[enjimmy1]

I dislike the 5 point breastplates with a passion. To me they seem incredibly restrictive. IMO to have them tight enough to actually work you have a main pressure point sat right on the shoulder. I like my horses to have complete freedom through their shoulders.
I just use an elastic v-check hunting breastplate. The Mark Todd one is nice although I'm currently using an ancient Shires one. I prefer this type as IMO it runs over the top of the shoulder & can move upwards with the shoulder when it swings up.

My caveat here is this is based purely on my own opinion & observations.

That's interesting about the 5-point as I definitely don't want something that will restrict her movement as she has a pretty exuberant jump and really uses her neck and shoulders over a fence. After doing a bit more research the elastic v-check sounds the forward, so thank you very much for your advice.