I just bought a Connemara and need to purchase a breastplate for her. Is there any advantage using the 5 point breastplate verses a traditional one? My traditional one seems to work well enough for her mutton withered, flat topped self but since I have to get one just for her, thought I would ask.
Anyone have an opinion?
I bought one last time I needed a new one for one of the hunters, and having used it a season, will now replace the other “traditional” breastplates with these. What I most like about them is that also hold the girth forward, not only the front of the saddle. They seem to distribute the pull (if any) over a larger area of the horse as well. I love them.
OOOOO! SLW !
SLW,
You got a connemarra mare?? I’m so happy for you! :D:D
I LOVED my connemarra! He was fabulous at whatever we wanted to do. I hope you will tell us more about her, and bring her to Va for one of our hunt weeks. Please babble at length about her! You can p.m. or email if you are swooning too much to post…:winkgrin:
I want a 5 point breastplate for the same reason that Otterhound gave. They don’t tip the saddle and put pressure on the tree points when you jump. I’m hoping that someone will post links to different makers to find one that looks more subtle and will fit into the hunt style. I tend to look,…um…more event/dressage… when I turn out already. Thank goodness, my hunt is just happy to see me out…
Thanks so much both of you. Looking at them made me think they would distribute the pressure better and help keep the saddle centered.
Whicker- I get all my hunting tack from Bartville Harness in PA. I have never been disappointed with any purchase. Just a few weeks ago I ordered a mid-range price halter from them and it is very nice. I’ll order the 5 point breastplate from them. 
SLW,
Can you give me more info on the Bartville Harness? I googled them and got the coth forum thread from '08!
There was mention of a catalog. Do they have one still? How much detail do you need to give them to make the 5 point? Measurements?
I want one like Jessica Phoenix’s. It looks more like a straight across the chest breastplate, and hits the shoulder differently. It was on the horse in the latest coth photo of her recent win.
Bartville Harness Shop
1243 Noble Road, Christiana, Pennsylvannia 17509
(717)529-6992 Ext.0
5 way Hunt Breastplate comes in Cob, Horse or Oversize in black or havana color, with elastic side straps or leather, with brass or stainless steel hardware, and runs in price from$120.00-128.00 depending on size and style.
Dover has 2 choices running in price from $199-$320
http://www.jefferspet.com/product.asp?pn=J0-H7&sid=froogle&EID=FRJ0-H7&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping_engine&utm_campaign=google&crcat=Direct&crsource=GBase&crkw=Pro+5+Point+Elastic+Breastplate+Martingale+w/Running+Attachment
Jeffers has one for around $80, but not sure of the color (australian nut) or the quality of the leather.
Bartville doesn’t have an internet site nor do they take credit cards. When I ordered the thong for my hunt whip, they quoted a price with shipping. I wrote the check, mailed it off, and a week or so later I had my package with thong and an envelope with $3.11 cash. They had over priced the shipping, so refunded the difference.
Oops, Wrong Rider!
The 5 point breastplate is on Allison Springer’s horse, Arthur, in the coth pics from her win a few weeks ago. It has green elastic running in a straight line back to the girth and another running up to the dees. It has padding in the V of the chest where the running martingale ring is. The whole thing is adjustable in many different spots. It is the best design I’ve seen yet.
I’m also curious about her girth, as it does similar things to the way I want to finesse mine. The quasi- dressage length gives less bulk under the leg. Great for better accuracy in balance and feel. I need the narrower feel, for my horses…
Bit of Britain sells the Nunn Finer breastplates. I don’t have one, but they looked nice enough when I looked them over at Equine Affaire. Here’s the link:
http://www.bitofbritain.com/Nunn_Finer_Hunting_5_Way_Breastplate_p/3439.htm
They also have one with elastic. A cob size is still a little big for my pony. I do have a Crosby breastplate, but it’s not really the sturdy sort one would use for hunting.
Congratulations on the Connemara, SLW. The owner of the barn where I ride breeds & raises them, and they’re wonderful. I’ve often eyeballed a nice bay mare she has, but one pony is enough for me. The Connemaras at my barn all have nice sturdy feet and legs (without looking heavy) and are brave to the fences. I’m sure you’ll enjoy her.
Whicker- Jawa gave you the correct contact info from Bartville. They do sell a 5 point breastplaste with elastic but it’s not as much elastic as the one in the Springer photo. Bartville will work with you to make what you want. I sent them a friends super neat wire cutter case and asked “can you make me one like this??” and 4 weeks later my replica arrived! My bridles are a mix of cob size and horse size parts- I gave them the measurements and they sent me bridles with the correct size pieces. Plus, Levi who usually does the phone duty, is so much fun to talk to! He is curious about the fox hunting clubs and loves to chat.
As for girths, I switched over to these last year: http://www.saddlesource.com/proddetail.asp?prod=GB Love the clik buckle, especially on cold mornings with winter gloves on during the last girth check before the field moves off. The tongue dives right into the hole in the billet strap. Plus, it fits my horses bodies perfectly.
Thanks Hinderella, I’m excited to start working with the mare. I flatted her today for a little bit and she did very well.
Whicker,
The girth in the link SLW provided: http://www.saddlesource.com/proddetail.asp?prod=GB
IS. AMAZING.
A friend of mine got me one as a gift, AND. I. LOVE. IT!!!
Does the girth come in a dressage version with the martingale ring? I have a thorowood dressage girth now, but it is so soft I can’t use a hunting breastplate or running martingale on a straight breastplate with it.
Both Rubi and Wren are small and short coupled with a forward girth groove. They don’t have much space behind the elbows, so I have to be very careful to use a girth that stays narrow for a greater distance behind the elbow.
There is a thread running over on the eventing forum about starting a line for small horse/ cob types who don’t fit normal sizing. Most of Wren’s gear has had to be custom, as she is built more like an endurance arab, but more substantial.
The bridle that you saw on Rubi out hunting was custom for Wren. Her face is short, with cheekbones close to the muzzle, which makes the space for a caveson that doesn’t interfer with the bit quite small. Her nostrils start high and they are arab sized. Muzzle is small and the brow takes oversized.
She has the Trak/arab endurance and drive, so she will be a 5 hour hunt horse. She probably will be one of those horses who thrives on hunting several times a week…
I expect that SLW’s new Connemarra will be like that, too. Mine could easily jump 4’ and go all day. SLW will have a gate horse who does the gates for her and probably the latches as well…
I looked at the website for that girth and it does come in a dressage model. Does the girth hold it’s shape well enough that I could use a sleeve with martingale ring over it?
It maintains it’s shape extremely well. I have the regular girth and at the center, under the belly, it is thickened somewhat with extra padding. It thins, both in depth and width as it goes by the elbows.
The Letita girth, or however it is spelled, holds it shape just fine. It has a little gel cushioning at the widest point where it rest under the horse. Probably feels kinda comfy to the horse.
My Quarter horse mare is a 5 hour hunt horse. It took her from roading last August until March of this season to figure it out and become all business. I haven’t even tapped her into her reserve fuel but sure look forward to the day we do.
I just picked up the papers on the Connemara so I’m off to the world wide web to learn a few things Connemara. The breeder pre-fix is Tre Awain. Does that ring any bells???
Tre Awain is a keeper
SLW,
You have got a well bred mare for eventing and hunting! I haven’t followed them for a number of years, but they were quite consistantly doing well. They were one of the early importers and breeders, so there is lots of information and they are easy to talk to.
Maybe now you have a reason to come to the national connemarra show to meet everyone. It use to be held in June in Northern Va, near me…
Tre Awain
Tre Awain is a Connemara farm here in Missouri. I know the breeders. They have a Foot Pack. Three Creek Bassets.
I had sent you a PM earlier this afternoon when I found the Basset pack online. 
I wondered if you knew the breeders via the basset pack. The horse farm doesn’t have a website.
Back to the breastplate, can someone post or link to a picture of a 5-point from bartville? I’m interested, but can’t visualize the details/elastic/fleece. Is there even fleece?
I use an Jeffries 5 point for hunting and XC.
They do keep the saddle from slipping. I have hunted for 4/5 hours with intermittent rain and nothing at all rubbed, even when the sheepskin got wet.
They retail over your side of the pond for $300ish.
http://www.tds-saddlers.com/ProductDetails.asp?PCLinkID=13706
Fabulous quality as expected from Jeffries.
I also tried the two Passier styles and they come up really small.
Paddy
Candle,
Bartville doesn’t have a web site. They are Amish. If you call, they will mail you a catalog.
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