Breastplate martingale neck strap combo

[Phean]

Now that neck straps need to be attached to saddle what are people using for a breastplate martingale neck strap combo? My needs are a breastplate (some elastic would be great) and a running martingale, but all the ones Im seeing are with a very short bridge over the withers. What I want is more of a neck strap or just a running martingale loop that’s farther up the neck and more easily used as a grab strap on cross country. Im leaning towards a jumper breastplate like the nun finer one (hopefully) pasted here and run a martingale through the loop. I also saw Waldhausen Secutrust Breastplate, but its not correct in the placement of the strap. this,

I see that Clever Leather does a nice attached neck strap, but its $$$.

Anyone have other suggestions? Ive looked back over the site and dont see a lot of relevant info.

[Xanthoria]

Just add a neck strap to your favorite breastplate. Bartville makes a leather neck strap for $16 and you could ask them to add a loop to attach to the breastplate. Or just get the Nunn Finer version: https://www.nunnfiner.com/Neck-Strap-with-Attachments-p/90a47.htm

[Xanthoria]

Or this?

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Correct_Connect_3-in-1_Training_Breastplate/descpage-CCTI.html?from=gpmax&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwudexBhDKARIsAI-GWYUfW5SOojYaJPg8Tg7W3oP3-cCWZ-4ZLZVbHq_8WAUTGKd5nXNAxEAaAh-GEALw_wcB

[Lusoluv]

I thought you only needed a neck strap attachment at the FEI levels? I’ve been showing and rode at the AECs last year without the neck strap attached to saddle/breastplate without incident.

[beowulf]

I took old laced leather reins that weren’t really up to par, cut them to size, punched a hole through the new end and buckled it back into itself. To attach it, I took a spare flash noseband, found some extra keepers, looped one side through the neck strap and then buckle it through either my breastplate if wearing one, or to the d ring of the saddle. You can buy clip attachments at your local hardware store to make it extra easy to attach/detach.

Personally I think it’s a silly rule.

You can also just use an old leather stirrup leather. I’ve done that too but I like the thinner strap.

[Highflyer1]

I took an old round ring off a halter and buckled it onto my neck strap. I use an old breastplate strap from a 3 point breastplate (the strap that went from the breastplate to saddle dee) with a snap added and snap that onto the ring of my breastplate.

[Phean]

Thanks for all your suggestions. This gives me great ideas. Im also going to use O ring snap clips.

[Phean]

Thanks- good to know that.

[evtrmom]

@Pheller I use the clever leather one and attach it to my saddle for everyday and to my breastplate with running attachment when I jump.
My breastplate is from Bartville.
I’ve been happy with the neck strap, I like the thickness and quality of the leather. I also have the leather ones from Bartville. Happy to send a pic if you want to see it in action

[Xanthoria]

@Phean

Thanks for all your suggestions. This gives me great ideas. Im also going to use O ring snap clips .

I put some of those (solid brass version) on my martingale ends so I could snap my running on and off easily. And they broke on the first use! Make sure the ones you buy are very strong.

[Xanthoria]

@Lusoluv

I thought you only needed a neck strap attachment at the FEI levels? I’ve been showing and rode at the AECs last year without the neck strap attached to saddle/breastplate without incident.

Yeah but if you’ve ever had a horse try to graze, or buck a lot, or heaven forbid run loose, you’d see that strap run up their neck and loose near their feet when they put their head down right away. A keeper strap is cheap insurance.

[Willesdon]

Given that I have learned over the decades that even the best of horses can develop instant suicidal tendencies at the sight of a blade of grass, I worry about clips on tack being used in xc.

[Libby2563]

I use a leather racing yoke from Big Dee. It attaches between the front legs like a breastplate but isn’t anchored to the D-rings or girth, which I prefer for shoulder freedom. The running martingale attaches to the ring on the chest. I adjust the neck portion with enough play that I can use it as a neck strap if needed. I don’t use it often now but I found it really useful when I was learning to gallop big cross-country jumps and needed a handhold to train myself not to pull back in the last few strides.

[fordtraktor]

Is there a breastplate aspect to it? It looks like basically a running martingale?

I agree that I don’t like restricting devices at all. I also don’t ever use a neck strap…but my horse rubbed his mane out where I would normally grab so considering adding something!

[Libby2563]

@fordtraktor

Is there a breastplate aspect to it? It looks like basically a running martingale?

No breastplate aspect, so I guess it basically is the same as a running martingale with the martingale straps fully detachable. Sometimes I just use the yoke and only add the martingale straps for cross-country. It’s much thicker leather than most martingales I’ve seen though, more like a Nunn Finer breastplate.

[Jealoushe]

I used an old PS of Sweden cheek piece, works perfect with a clip to easily attach to my D ring extenders and then I buckle the end to the end holes on the neck strap.

[Jealoushe]

It’s mandatory in Canada too for National levels.

[Phean]

Thanks for the photo. I like this set up. I was wanting to have less stuff on the horse, but seems like it functions better as its own strap.

[AshnMT]

You can brad the neck strap into the mane to help with this

[Xanthoria]

Definitely! But a strap is so quick and easy compared to that - and they’re not expensive