Breast Plates

[Dizzy]

I've never used one before, could someone advise on how to fit one so that I get the correct fit.

Lesley

[Outrider]

It depends on how your saddle is rigged. Does it have a small ring on each side of the front of the saddle? If so, this is where the straps attach. If not, you attach then to the cinch rings on either side. You want the middle of the breast plate to be in the middle of the chest and a little down from where the neck joins the chest, but again, this depends on the type of breast plate you are using too. The bottom strap then attaches to a small ring on the front of your girth. If your girth doesn't have this ring, you need to get one that does. The side straps should not be so tight it constricts movement, and not so loose as to totally flop around. The purpose is to keep the saddle from sliding back, especially when riding uphill. Take a look at some of the pictures in the Western Way section and I think you will get an idea. Happy Trails!

[Dizzy]

Thanks Outrider, do you have a approximate gauge as to how slack the straps should be, something like 'a hands width between each strap and the horse.

I've bought one and tried it on with the last saddle I tried, my friend and I had a bit of a conflab about the room that should be allowed and couldn't decide what would be just decorative and too slack and what would be border on restrictive.

We finally agreed that nothing is as simple as it looks:D

Lesley

PS Your new horse (sorry can't work out how spell Kernal properly) looks and sounds brilliant. What a difference he must feel to the horses you are used riding. I just can't imagine riding such a huge horse - you must feel as if you're sitting on top of the world.

[Dressage_Luvr]

hi,

if ** girth doesnt have the ring on itm you dont have to get a new one. the breast plate that i use has a loop at the end that goes over the normal girth, and it does exactly tha same thing, as long as u have it in the middle.,

[Dizzy]

Thanks for your reply Dressage_Luvr, but I think you've misunderstood my post, its not where to attach the breast plate I'm confused about, its the amount of freedom you give the straps. I want it to be able to its job, as I do ride over varied terrain, but I don't want it too tight.

Lesley

[Dressage_Luvr]

hi,

lol, i knew what u were wondering, but i was just saying that so u didnt go out and buy a new girth since outrider said u had to have a ring on it.

lol, no offence to anyone! lol, i had no clue what u were talkin about at first dizzy, andways, i better go before i confuse myself more!

[Outrider]

You want the middle of the breast strap to stay in the middle of the hest. Any higher and you have your straps too tight. Any lower and they are too loose. It really depends alot on the horse and how big the chest is. Also, I know what Dressage_Luvr is talking about, but it seems to me that the potential for rubbing is greater if you use that kind of a lower strap. Just my humble, cowboy opinion! Happy Trails!

[Dizzy]

I think I've now realised what Dressage_luvr means - instead of being attached by a snap clip, the girth is threaded through the loop, like a the strap of a martingale. My apologies Dressage_Luvr, it was me that was confused.

Thanks for the info Outrider, I have had to punch more holes in the breastplate to get it too fit, your first post made alot of sense when I was fittting it. Our confusion came about because we imagined it sat higher up the chest, which obviously would restrict the horse.

Lesley

[Dressage_Luvr]

lol, glad to see weve figured that out! lol, good luck

[Outrider]

You're welcome Dizzy. Send us some pics sometime. Happy Trails!