Choosing a breastplate...help!

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Lego

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Hi everyone,

I'm looking at getting a new breastplate for my cob. He doesn't need it for stabilising the saddle as such - more that I would like to work up to faster work and fun rides etc, and always prefer doing that kind of thing in a breastplate/martingale just in case, especially to start with in case he's a prat and hoons/stagleaps something, as I suspect he might...

I have a lovely adjustable elasticated breastplate from my old cob that was customised but fits; but unfortunately I also could do with it as an emergency handhold on the new boy - and elastic just doesn't cut it!

Would you get a leather one that is adjustable? Or do the standard size ones usually fit well enough? He's a 15.1 MW Irish cob who takes a 6'6 rug. If it's any help, he's between sizes in bridles - just about crams into a cob, or a full size on the smallest hole.

(Have an old martingale for occasional use of he gets a bit excited fast hacking - which is a full with extra holes to shorten the girth attachment.)

Not looking to spend a fortune as it's for occasional use/to have to hand if I want it, rather than for hard & regular use if that makes sense?

Thanks! :)
 
I just have a neck strap with mine. Cheaper and less fuss to put on. Less to clean too. Eventing up to 100 with just this and a snaffle on what used to be a very naughty horse. I found that I felt better with a neckstrap, but he was better with a less is more approach to tack!
 
Any tidy martingale will do the job nicely, Been there with the elastic ones, not good! If the horse doesnt actually need or like the part that goes on the reins you can have a saddler make the main strap that goes to girth with a ring at the top then add a neck strap with 2 clips clip to the ring. You can add a martingale breast plate attatchment if & when you need it. The neck strap is in a better position for holding than the top strap of a hunting breast plate.
 
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All leather breastplates should be adjustable on the shoulders, body & wither straps but, if you don't need the breastplate, the best & cheapest option would be to just have a neckstrap! We have measurement charts on our online store which may help you see where you need to measure if you do decide to go down the breastplate route.
 
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