Do I need a breastplate/girth?

[BethVictoria]

Hiii,
I full loan a 15.3hh ISH who I am hoping to event next year and do a few hunter trails on in the mean time. I have never had a problem with her saddle slipping so far. Even when I forget to tighten the girth properly (my bad).

She is very typically Thoroughbred in build with a high wither so is not the sort of horse prone to her saddle slipping, although I have noticed most of the professionals wear breastgirths/plates during the cross country and showjumping phases and even sometimes the dressage.

I don't want to waste money on an expensive 5 point breastplate that she doesn't need, but is it worth spending the money on a different type (if so what) for extra security?
Thank youu
This is Annie a couple of years ago (I was not loaning her at this point but the only main difference is the shape of her neck and she has lost some weight)

 

[Darremi]

I would always recommend using a breastplate for cross country because it means you do not have to do up the girth mega tight in order to keep the saddle stable and in the right place. You never know when you might get a funny jump over a drop and the saddle moves unexpectedly! Having said that I prefer the old fashioned style elasticated breastgirth to a five point because I worry the latter might be too restrictive.

This is the one I use, and I put a sheepskin cover over as my horse is a free sweater. There are many different styles of breastgirth/plate and everyone has their own preferences!

http://www.walkontroton.com/elastic-breastgirth-p-9407.html

 

[Queenbee]

Just to hi jack this thread, I just bought a breast plate for Ben... I only really need it for martingale purposes but I hate the way the basic martingale runs up the neck and I decided to go for a 5 pointer. I first got a full size but every part of it was way too big, honestly I reckon he could have got his legs stuck in the bit that goes through his legs! So I opted for a cob size but it's really quite a snug fit around his neck. My question is, how snug should it be? It almost seems to me it should be a more snug fit because it's supposed to stop the saddle slipping back but I don't want to have him in to tight a neck attachment?

 

[dafthoss]

I use mine as a stable grab handle if its needed, admittedly I hardly grab it but its there if I need it. I love my 5 point if I need some thing to grab as its really secure but if you need to give a tap down the shoulder it can be less effective as you just hit the breastplate where as my elasticated one leaves his shoulders completly free for reminders but isnt very stable to grab.

 

[Jnhuk]

I use a hunting breastplate with martingale attachment. The five point ones don't come anywhere near big enough for my two.

 

[BethVictoria]

Thank you so much for all the helpful advice

 

[Darremi]

Queenbee - A lady from Devoucoux, who patented the original 5 point breastplate design, informed me that it is designed to be worn fairly tight and that us Brits are notorious for being paranoid about having the breastplate too tight and therefore have it way too loose. Of course I ignored her and wore it loose because I am paranoid! Your choice I guess, but I always worry that a tight breastplate inhibits jumping ability.