Breast collar or no?

[Hoofbeats02]

[QUOTE=katyb;5825035]
I agree - conformation makes a huge difference. My horse has great withers for keeping a saddle stable (not so great for fitting a saddle though).[/QUOTE]

I totally agree. I don’t use a breast collar with my 12 year old gelding, and we go trail riding right in the mountains a few times/year (camping and riding). All of our rides are pretty hilly and have some steep climbs too. He has high withers though, and like yours it made it hard for me to find a great fitting saddle though I did eventually! It took me almost a year though and I went through 4 saddles LOL My 6 year old I do use a breast collar with though. He has a lot lower withers and he’s still pretty green so I like to know my saddle isn’t moving if he spooks or anything.

[Tevisbuckles]

Breast collar or not?

I always ride with one, feels safer, saddle cannot fall back or rotate, my favorite is the padded Zilco, very gentle on the horse, no rubbing and easy maintenance. A crupper is also safe to keep the saddle from moving forward.