Breastplates affect jump trajectory

[Equibrit]

@Blugal

It wasn’t a blind study - riders knew when a breastplate was worn and when it wasn’t.

I’m pretty sure that many different breastplates were used, as were different horses and riders. I think you could safely say that measurements differed with each small change, as would photographs. These people do extensive studies and it would be very hard to make any sort of comment on their quality unless you have read them.

[Dr_Doolittle]

Relating to the topic at hand but not “scientific”; I attended a WFP clinic a few years ago, and he made a point of measuring the breastplates, pronouncing most of them “too tight”, and saying that this impeded the horse’s use of its shoulders over fences.

He loosened several.

Based on his considerable expertise, I’m thinking that he may have a point – and that the study proves it.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

WFP didn’t adjust my breastplate. I use a bridge one. I find they fit better, I can use a running if needed and not have too many straps. I always use one for several reasons. But I prefer a bridge one because it doesn’t restrict the shoulders or alter saddle fit.

https://marystack.com/five-star-tack-bridge-breastplate/

[Jealoushe]

I use a bridge too, but I also wear mine fairly loose. I really want the Butet one like this;

https://sederholm.co.uk/butet-breastplate-including-martingale

But alas tis not in the budget.

[clivers]

I like the Amanda Ross one as well:
https://www.horsesports.co.nz/product/felxi-fit-amanda-ross-bridge-3-point-leather-breast-plate/

[ake987]

Does anyone know if there’s a US tack shop that sells the Fairfax Performance Breastplate? I used the list of shops on their Stockists section of the website and could not find it at any mentioned there.

[TXnGA]

MM Tack shop in Raleigh, NC said they could get the Fairfax breastplate as they carry many of their items. The Fairfax breastplate listed in the study retails for $350+. I also contacted the company regarding their study and they will not release their study as they are trying to get it published in a peer review, or something similar and would release it after it was published.

[skydy]

@retreadeventer

I cringe when I see greenies out XC schooling without a breastplate, or breaststrap, or neck strap of some sort, because i’ts CROSS COUNTRY, you go up and down the hills and your horse jumps up and down banks, across ditches, over obstacles and drops, etc. Saddles that fit in a nice flat arena are suddenly sliding back or sideways when your horse moves on cross country. A rider needs to have a saddle stay on the horse’s back in the center of their balance whereever the heck that is and its different for every horse and sometimes different from start to finish depending upon the horse. At Fair Hill, we have to hack down and up a short trail to get to XC field. I cannot tell you how many times I have been on that trail with people who should know better, i.e., professionals and not riding the horse Novice either, with no breastplate or collar of any kind and as they descend the trail the saddle is on the wither and as they climb the hill on the other side of the crick, the saddle slips back and there they are, top of the hill, as they get into the field, having to get off and hold a goofy horse looking at all the activity in the field, adjusting the saddle and pads which have slipped back to the flanks…I saw this study and thought it was great initially, but I think they were jumping big jumps and if you took a look at the big name riders they were using it was all about high levels. I don’t think the study means much to anyone jumping under 3’ . And I wish it would not stop people from using breastplates/collars at the lower levels because folks you NEED one.

Honestly, why are “greenies” schooling in ill fitting saddles without trainer input, unless their trainers are the “professionals” you are seeing that have their own saddles slipping onto the horses flanks after going up a hill? No one I would consider a professional in any discipline would be so negligent.

[SonnysMom]

@skydy

Honestly, why are “greenies” schooling in ill fitting saddles without trainer input, unless their trainers are the “professionals” you are seeing that have their own saddles slipping onto the horses flanks after going up a hill? No one I would consider a professional in any discipline would be so negligent.

Many professionals know shockingly little about correctly fitting a saddle. Many eventers are they independent type and either don’t work with a professional or only take occasional lessons and are not in a pro’s program. The pro therefore has limited input on things like saddle fit.

Many owners don’t want to spend money on a “good” saddle and saddle fitter when a horse is young. They figure they will get the “good” saddle once the horse stops growing. They don’t want to spend the money on a saddle they know the horse will grow out of. Instead they use a variety of saddle pads to “fix” the fit. They buy a saddle that is too wide so the horse will grow into it. In the meantime they put thick pads on to fill it out and the saddle shifts and slides.

I personally think this line of thinking is the total opposite of what we should be doing. I do not want to damage a young horse’s back while they are growing due to marginal or poor fit, I don’t want them to develop a bad “work ethic” because they associate a saddle with discomfort. I want the saddle to fit well so they have a place to lift their back and learn how to do that. I don’t want the saddle to interfere with their shoulder or bridge or put pressure on their withers. I want my saddle checked regularly so that as they grow we can make changes to the flocking so the saddle stays comfortable.
That first young horse saddle doesn’t need to be a new Black County, County, CWD etc… For my OTTB I am using Thornhlll Germania. It was less than $2,000 new and is wool flocked. It was fit by a professional saddle fitter and has been checked once since I first bought it. I don’t love the saddle but it fits my horse. I love my Patrick saddle for my other horse but it was $4,600. Once Carson is in regular work and is done growing then I will invest in a saddle that fits him and that I love. He grew a solid 2 inches in his 5 year old year. I expect he will gain a topline and muscle up this year as a 6 year in real work. For now he is working on crossrails and low verticals in the ring so no need for a breastplate. I will absolutely use a breastplate for trail riding and xc jumping.

[kcmel]

@kt-rose

Very interesting! My young TB jumped better and dropped a lot fewer rails this past year when his rider removed his breastplate for show jumping. Did not seem to affect him so much XC as his easy gallop led to an almost always excellent effort. But in the SJ ring it made the difference and resulted in a number of primary colored ribbons !

My breastplate is quite loose, but I have an elastic one somewhere that I may try. Or not put it on at all until after SJ. I need all the help I can get!

[mydogs]

@ake987

Does anyone know if there’s a US tack shop that sells the Fairfax Performance Breastplate? I used the list of shops on their Stockists section of the website and could not find it at any mentioned there.

Hastilow USA in PA also sells Fairfax products. If it isn’t on their website, I am pretty sure you can call or email and they will order it for you.

[PaintedHunter]

While we’re on the subject, anyone use this breastplate from Bobby’s or have any thoughts on it? I like Bobby’s tack in general but have never seen in person or used the breastplate. http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Bobbys_Tack_Fairhaven_Running_Martingale_Breastplate/descpage-BTBRA.html

[skydy]

@SonnysMom

Many professionals know shockingly little about correctly fitting a saddle. Many eventers are they independent type and either don’t work with a professional or only take occasional lessons and are not in a pro’s program. The pro therefore has limited input on things like saddle fit.

Many owners don’t want to spend money on a “good” saddle and saddle fitter when a horse is young. They figure they will get the “good” saddle once the horse stops growing. They don’t want to spend the money on a saddle they know the horse will grow out of. Instead they use a variety of saddle pads to “fix” the fit. They buy a saddle that is too wide so the horse will grow into it. In the meantime they put thick pads on to fill it out and the saddle shifts and slides.

I personally think this line of thinking is the total opposite of what we should be doing. I do not want to damage a young horse’s back while they are growing due to marginal or poor fit, I don’t want them to develop a bad “work ethic” because they associate a saddle with discomfort. I want the saddle to fit well so they have a place to lift their back and learn how to do that. I don’t want the saddle to interfere with their shoulder or bridge or put pressure on their withers. I want my saddle checked regularly so that as they grow we can make changes to the flocking so the saddle stays comfortable.
That first young horse saddle doesn’t need to be a new Black County, County, CWD etc… For my OTTB I am using Thornhlll Germania. It was less than $2,000 new and is wool flocked. It was fit by a professional saddle fitter and has been checked once since I first bought it. I don’t love the saddle but it fits my horse. I love my Patrick saddle for my other horse but it was $4,600. Once Carson is in regular work and is done growing then I will invest in a saddle that fits him and that I love. He grew a solid 2 inches in his 5 year old year. I expect he will gain a topline and muscle up this year as a 6 year in real work. For now he is working on crossrails and low verticals in the ring so no need for a breastplate. I will absolutely use a breastplate for trail riding and xc jumping.

I wouldn’t expect a trainer to be a professional saddle fitter but I would expect them to recognize an ill fitting saddle and to realize if a horse needs a breastplate. Perhaps that aspect of horsemanship is on its way out in some places.