I need a breast collar for my horse. I was looking at the Wintecs and also Down Under has adjustable ones. Then there’s neoprene too. Any advice or recommendations? Don’t want anything too fancy, but want to steer clear of anything that is not recommended! Thanks 
I have the Zilco padded endurance breast collar. Apparently they come in 2 sizes, but I didn’t know that. I have a larger one that fits my big stocky QH. I really love it. Great price, heavy brass hardware, infinitely adjustable. Aside from the size issue. But that’s ok because I’ll just use it on my one horse and get a smaller one for the Arab and pony.
I don’t love neoprene it’s too hot and retains heat by nature. Also, it tends to squeak in the roll of a breast collar, with each step. squeak squeak squeak.
I like any type that’s wide enough to spread the load and has a strap over the withers to help hold it in position. Tucker makes one I like, but you can certainly find them cheaper.
Thanks - I feel the same about neoprene.
My guy has pretty deep dips behind his withers, hence one of the reasons my saddle keeps slipping back. I wonder if one kind would work better than the other due to the dips??
Personally, I would suggest a Beta biothane, non-lined breastplate. The ones that are lines are not quite as adjustable because you can’t add more holes in the lined sections of the shoulders. Anyway,I like the endurance models that have a snap on the piece that passes over the withers, makes it easy to take on and off. I also would suggest a biothan cinch/girth loop if you don’t have a D ring on your girth.
About those dips behind the withers. It’s quite easy to customize foam inserts to “fill” those dips. This is why I like the Skito pads. You can order a pad with thick foam inserts then use an electric carving knife to customize your saddle fit. I rescued a mare who had big shoulders and a dipped back. The difference between her shoulder area and the area behind them was really significant. So I got thick foam, tapered the front edge of the inserts thinner (over the big shoulders) then tapered that into the thick foam to fill the dip and tapered it thinner again to allow for the rise under the cantle to her high butt. It allowed this horse to finally have a good saddle fit and no more back pain. This was all under a Bob Marshall treeless saddle that needed to sit slightly up over the shoulders.
Bonnie Snodgrass
I typically hate neoprene also, but I do like the Zilco material. Neoprene is not what it actually is. I don’t really know “what” it is. Sort of a plasticky padding with holes in it for breathability. And it does NOT squeak. I don’t know what product you were using, but I’ve ridden in this one about 6 times so far and have never heard any noise from it. One was a long ride in which the horse got really sweated up and even when wet I heard no noise from it. I like it because it’s larger and spreads the load a little more. I have a thin nylon breastcollar that really digs in when the horse goes up a hill because there’s just not enough material to spread the pressure.
A2,
Do you wanna trade? I just got my Zilco breastcollar, and I think they sent me a dinky Arab one. I have a broader-chested Morab. I guess it works okay, but I was hoping for a few more holes on the straps, if you know what I mean! I can only hope he does not any bigger, or I will have to get a new one.
I think it is a neoprene/PVC combination. Just straight Neoprene will break down from continued exposure to sweat, while the combo does not. It covers such a small surface area that I do not worry about the trapping of heat.
Anything with a top strap over the withers, to keep the collar from restricting the shoulder is good. I like mine with clips, instead of buckles. Just makes it all easier. A friend of mine does not mind leather, while I want something that will wash and go.
A2 I think you’re talking to me but I wasn’t responding to you. I don’t know a thing about zilco, zilch nadda nothing. I was just answering the OP’s question which specifically referenced neoprene which I don’t like and it does squeak.
Dips behind the withers need to be filled- either with a pad that accommodates that (skito, prof choice with the kidney shaped thicker areas right where you need 'em, etc)and/or a better fitting saddle…don’t ask the BC to keep the saddle from sliding into those gaps…pad the hollows carefully and ask the BC to just help everything stay in place over crazy terrain and sweaty critters
What brand of breastcollar were you using that was squeaky? I’m shopping for another and am not totally sure I’ll go with another Zilco only because of the sizing issue. Apparently the smaller ones are harder to get. So if I can’t find a smaller one, I’ll have to go with another brand.
I don’t know, unfortunately. It was a western-type BC, very much just plain neoprene, and squeaky on sweaty shouldered horses. I don’t think you’ll bump into it hunting for a more endurance-oriented brand.
I have to use a breast collar for my TWH, he is pretty narrow through the barrel so nothing stays in place! I really like my Zilco endurance collar, it even adjusts down to Bailey’s size (15 hand narrow, compact horse, lol.). They are available in lots of colours too, though I just got basic black to match my tack. I normally am a 100% leather tack person, but really like the synthetic material they use, it doesn’t look cheap or ugly at all.
here’s a ?? to build off w/
I have a ?? The breast collar I did have rubbed my mare raw on her chest. It didn’t matter if it was tight or loose! How can I prevent that…i’ve hesitated getting one for my new guy.
You can buy merino wool tubes to cover the breastcollar with. If you buy two sets of them, you can switch them out when they get wet during a ride.
The Zilco endurance collar is anti-rub. My horse will get rubs if at all possible (girth, saddle pad, fly mask, halter… anything is a possible abrasive) and the Zilco has not caused any rubs yet in the months I’ve been using it. Also like Auventera suggested, woll or fleece covers can be bought for a breast collar to prevent rubs. its cheaper than a new collar if you don’t have the money for a collar.
The Zilco ones are lovely–I wish I’d gotten a black one with chrome hardware when they were making them, though. The padding is PVC, and isn’t grippy (and I mean that in a bad way) like neoprene.
I have a leather one from Nunn Finer that I use for everything now, though. I initially used a ton of beeswax on it so I can just give it a quick wipe (as though it were biothane) now. Easy care, looks great, works wonderfully for the horse–I like how leather breaks in to actually follow the contours of the horse like the synthetics never can. I do use a Zilco girthloop, though.
Ahh, city, thats why I love it, if Bailey even hears neoprene his hair starts falling out! lol.
