Grr - horse in between sizes...ideas for 5 point breast plate between cob & full

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suzi

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I am after a 5 point breast plate now we have finally sorted the saddle out.

I had both a full size and a cob size Mark Todd 5 point but the cob is too small and the full is too big.

Suggestions please!! I either need a large cob or a small full. Or does anyone do inbetween sizes??
 
Well I need to buy a new one as my full size one was brown and I now have black tack....so thought I might try find one 'in-between' sizes.

Otherwise I will do that...
 
Ask your saddler for a quote for a made to measure one. I ended up with a made to measure noseband as my horse was in between sizes and it cost the same as the noseband I originally wanted.
 
suzi said:
Well I need to buy a new one as my full size one was brown and I now have black tack....so thought I might try find one 'in-between' sizes.

Otherwise I will do that...
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If the saddle's sorted though why do you actually need a breast plate? Is it a necessity or just an accesory?

There just seem a heck of a lot of people who seem to be putting 5 point breastplates on their horses for no real reason whatsoever. I assume you must be eventing at a high level though or something?

If that's the case then you may just have to go to for a made to measure option.
 
ladyt25 said:
If the saddle's sorted though why do you actually need a breast plate? Is it a necessity or just an accesory?

There just seem a heck of a lot of people who seem to be putting 5 point breastplates on their horses for no real reason whatsoever. I assume you must be eventing at a high level though or something?

If that's the case then you may just have to go to for a made to measure option.
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Yeah, I take your point! I would say the running martingale attachment is sort of a need (though one we are gradually becoming less reliant on).

The breast plate element is more of a want (from my point of view) than a need (for his). We sorted the saddle as prev one was slipping (badly fitted by master saddler, he suggested the breastplate, long story!!)

I'm not sure why buy I feel better having it there and I'm sure it's physological on my part.....but at the moment I can't get away from it in my mind.

So in one respect it is an accessory.......

But when he really stands off a fence...the thought of it not being there.......probably me being silly!!
 
Breastplate = grab strap. I always jump with one on. I have a selection of styles depending who or why or what I'm doing!

I'd punch holes in the full size one. All of mine have holes punched in, and means I've got lots of adjustment to swap and change who wears what!
 
I won't go xc with out a breastplate - and saddle fits great but with a big moving horse and hilly terrain I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it ;)
I don't use a martingale though - horse doesn't need it and likes to play with it.

The jefferies 5 point is really nice :)
 
If you need it you need it, I do understand that. was just wondering as there seemed to be some craze over the ast few years for people buying 5 point breastplates when they do little more than hacking round the lanes!! If therefore, the reason for them having it was as a grab strap then i'd have suggested they just use a neck strap (think we used to use stirrup leathers back in the day)

I guess what I'm getting at is the need for these accessories - it's the same with martingales - I am not convinced 90% of people who have them actually need them! I was guilty myself years ago of having to have a martingale, a grakle/mexican noseband etc etc but actually i realise now I don't need any of this on my horse - he does have a relatively strong bit in but that's what he does, he's strong, that's it.
 
The difference with a stirrup leather (I have nothing against them, my OH always has a stirrup leather, I have a breastplate) is that it can disappear up the neck or is just out of reach at the time of need. A breastplate is attached to the saddle so can't ever be out of reach.

A 5 point also adds some lateral stability to the saddle, which when jumping big, or twisty courses can be a great help - Saddles can fit perfectly, but ponies have a habit of not growing much wither!
 
ladyt25 said:
If you need it you need it, I do understand that. was just wondering as there seemed to be some craze over the ast few years for people buying 5 point breastplates when they do little more than hacking round the lanes!! If therefore, the reason for them having it was as a grab strap then i'd have suggested they just use a neck strap (think we used to use stirrup leathers back in the day)

I guess what I'm getting at is the need for these accessories - it's the same with martingales - I am not convinced 90% of people who have them actually need them! I was guilty myself years ago of having to have a martingale, a grakle/mexican noseband etc etc but actually i realise now I don't need any of this on my horse - he does have a relatively strong bit in but that's what he does, he's strong, that's it.
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I agree. I'm working on certain things, one thing at a time.

I have used a neck strap but find it a bit too far forward on his big shoulders, the 5 point wither strap sits in quite a nice place.

He can be very strong, but I have taken him out of the strong bit he was in (with grackle noseband etc etc) and as he is sensitive in the mouth we seem to find it working much better in a lozenge snaffle with the martingale (the rest of the breast plate is purely for me!).

I do look a bit silly as he had very sensitive ears so I sometimes use a 'fly veil / hat thing' which does make us look like a walking fashion catelogue!! I want to wear a sign saying 'everything is here for a reason!!'.
 
Hi,if it's any help I once bought an Amerigo 5-point breastplate which was too small for my 16.2 DWB,who is a Full size in everything else. When I returned it,saddlery commented they are made more for measurements of smaller,finer Italian horses? Might be worth a try?
 
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