Would breastplate make my boy stressy?

m3gan

m3gan

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Try again, no replies from previous post.

Just wondering if changing from a martingale to breast plate could have aggravated my ned? (We had a mini rear followed by a twisty tip of thing which very nearly made me fall out the side door yesterday).
 
Hiya, sorry to hear you didn't get a response before! I don't think rearing as a result of a breastplate is common but it could depend on a few things I suppose?! Notably....

What type of breastplate is it? Ie where are the points of contact? Could it be too tight?

Is it elasticated? Is there anywhere that could be pinching?

Why did you change to a breastplate? Could it be your saddle doesn't fit?
 
Sorry I am of no help but would like to see the answers to you post if anyone does post anything apart from me that is.
I had a similar thing with my horse. I used to ride him in a martingale and he went without for a shortwhile whilst I got a hunter breastplate. Hacked him out in the new breastplate and he was fine for a while and then started rearing and wouldnt go anywhere i asked only back and up. The only other thing I could pin it to was that he wasnt wearing his own saddle due to it being away being adjusted so borrowed another one which was quite a good fit but put thick saddle pad on just in case. Now im not sure if it was the saddle or the breastplate that made him freak as he has never done anything like that before.
 
Summerleft said:
Is it a hunter breast plate with the martingale attachment?
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Yes it is!

I only put it on him because although had the saddle checked 4 weeks ago was was a little concerned that his hair in one small area on his back beneath saddle pad was slightly brittle looking.

Incidentally he has done this going down on his hocks thing twice before, but that was a couple of months ago, and he didn't do the twisting thing after like yesterday, which felt a bit like a panic reaction. So anyway to be safe I am putting him back in the martingale tomorrow when I ride him, and see how we go!
 
I don't wish to insult you but is it fitted correctly?

A lot of people fit hunting breastplates just like a martingale, which puts all the pressure from the saddle slipping onto the horses lower neck and restricts the action of the shoulder. It may be worth adjusting the breastplate to ensure the horse isn't restricted at all?
 
MuckyMeech said:
I don't wish to insult you but is it fitted correctly?

A lot of people fit hunting breastplates just like a martingale, which puts all the pressure from the saddle slipping onto the horses lower neck and restricts the action of the shoulder. It may be worth adjusting the breastplate to ensure the horse isn't restricted at all?
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I think it might well be possible that it was restricting his movement ( numpty mum!) so will not use it again until I have it checked!
 
*disclaimer - this is only my numpty view of things*

could it be that breastplates, (because of the way they work compared to basic martingale) put slightly more pressure/pull (can't think of the word) onto the saddle? thereby increasing any issue with badly fitting saddles?

gah, tat makes no snese, i have had baileys in my hot choccy and am such a lightweight i'm actually tipsy...
 
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