Breastplates: Favorites, pros/cons, and where to buy

[woodhillsmanhattan]

Hello friends,

I am in search of a breastplate for my jumper. And yes, the saddle fits :winkgrin:! I know some people love and some hate the 5-point breastplates. I was hoping to hear everyone’s thoughts on them vs. those that just attach to rings on saddle. I borrowed a Devoucoux ( not 5-point) one this past weekend and it worked well but $390 is a bit much for me! It was the one that attached to the D-rings of the saddle, leather, with elastic parts just above the shoulder near the saddle attachment. I will need a running martingale attachment. Links to different ones will be helpful! Thank you

[hb625]

I have this one: http://www.smartpakequine.com/mobile/product/9843
Definitely runs a little big, (I had to punch quite a few holes on the straps attaching to the saddle and the the girth strap) but my horse is a touch on the smaller side. The running attachment doesn’t run as big, I only punched one hole on that, and that was to be expected since my horse is just a little small. Overall I would recommend it.

[pattnic]

My favorite breastplate ever was a Miller’s Collegiate that I bought second- or third- or fourth-hand. It finally broke beyond repair, so I had Bartville Harness make me a new one like it. It’s not quite the same as the original, but it’s very close.

It’s not as pretty as a Devoucoux, but it’s a very nice piece of very workman-like tack. Completely flat leather, no elastic, and adjustable nearly everywhere, except for the part that goes over the withers. It has roller buckles and lots of keepers to keep things tidy.

This is not mine, but the overall style is pretty similar - loose ends kept to a minimum! :yes:

[pattnic]

My favorite breastplate ever was a Miller’s Collegiate (hunting style) that I bought second- or third- or fourth-hand. It finally broke beyond repair, so I had Bartville Harness (who makes Nunn Finer tack) make me a new one like it. It’s not quite the same as the original, but it’s very close.

It’s not as pretty as a Devoucoux, but it’s a very nice piece of very workman-like tack. Completely flat leather, no elastic, and adjustable nearly everywhere, except for the part that goes over the withers. It has roller buckles and lots of keepers to keep things tidy. I plan on having an adjustable running attachment also made.

Best part: it only set me back about $100 or so. (Maybe more like $120).

This is not mine, but the overall style is pretty similar - loose ends kept to a minimum! :yes:

I’ll try to remember to get some pictures of mine.

[ParadoxFarm]

I love my Nunn Finer breastplate. I use this on my jumper: http://www.nunnfiner.com/Nunn-Finer-Hunting-Breastplate-with-Elastic-p/83.htm

It also has attachments if needed.

[cswoodlandfairy]

I have the Ovation 5 point breastplate and love it!
http://www.smartpakequine.com/ov-5-point-padded-breastplate-7738p.aspx

Of course after I purchased this one my friend told me about the HDR one that she has. It looked fantastic for being a couple years old! I would have gotten it if I hadn’t already gotten the one above. Would have saved me a lot of money! I really like that the chest piece does not have fleece on it

http://www.jefferspet.com/product.asp?pn=J0-H7&crcat=product+ads+Equine~Equine+-+Uniquely+English&crsource=adwords&crkw=&gclid=CODD5Y3sjrgCFQSZ4AodUE8A7A

[Button]

[QUOTE=ParadoxFarm;7058712]
I love my Nunn Finer breastplate. I use this on my jumper: http://www.nunnfiner.com/Nunn-Finer-Hunting-Breastplate-with-Elastic-p/83.htm

It also has attachments if needed.[/QUOTE]

x2. And they hold up nicely to a lot of abuse as well.

[soloudinhere]

I really like my Antares breastplate, but I think it is in the $250 range, so while not $390, not a deal either.

I also have a really beautiful 5 point that I ordered especially for my horse-- navy elastic, havana leather, brass fittings, that I love, but I event so not sure if it would be as “fly” in the showjumping arena.

[Tour_Guide]

I also love my Antares breastplate. I bought it directly from their vendor tent at a horse show and they knocked 10% off without me even asking. I also looked at Devoucoux breastplates at the same show and found the price a little hard to swallow.

Looks like Smartpak carries the Antares: http://www.smartpakequine.com/mobile/product/4726

[soloudinhere]

I see a fair number of the Antares come up used, too. It shouldn’t be difficult to find one.

[candysgirl]

I have one of the HDR ones for foxhunting. I have the matching flat bridle as well. It’s decently made stuff that I expect to hold up well. This is the second year I’ve had it and it still looks new. Granted I only hunt in it or show in it, so its not seeing daily use, but it could (I use my biothane endurance bridle and breastplate for every day since its a bajillion times easier to clean than leather).

[billiebob]

I’ve had the HDR 5-point for two or three years now. It gets used four or five times a week and it’s held up beautifully. I would prefer one without fleece for easy cleaning, and it didn’t get darker when I oiled it…those are my only two complaints. It’s very good quality, especially for the price.

I don’t really have a preference for breastplate style. I used a plain leather hunting one before I got a 5-point, and there is NO slippage with the 5-point, even over awkward jumps and galloping up steep hills. There was a little slippage with the hunting breastplate (pretty minimal, though).

[bluebuckets]

I use an elastic breast girth on my mare because she reacts fairly violently to feeling constricted, but we still needed something to keep the saddle stabilized. Old-school and I can’t attach a running, to it, but I like it. It is Nun Finer and I think the quality is great.

[Zenyatta]

I like the nunn finer elastic breastplate also.

[KingoftheRoad]

I’ve had my Antares blue elastic breastplate for about five years now, and I love it, EXCEPT - I can’t figure out how to clean the elastic! It always looks grimy - I’ve tried blasting it with a hose, I’ve tried scrubbing it with dishwasher detergent (Dawn) in my sink, I’ve even tried toothpaste that someone recommended.

If anyone knows how to get the elastic clean, I’d say it’s a great purchase - I use it with a running martingale attachment and always get compliments on it. My only other minor quibble is that some of the silver hardware is starting to pit/rust, which I can’t figure out how to fix either…

[pattnic]

[QUOTE=KingoftheRoad;7062357]
I’ve had my Antares blue elastic breastplate for about five years now, and I love it, EXCEPT - I can’t figure out how to clean the elastic![/QUOTE]

This is the primary reason why I am anti-elastic! :lol:

@KingoftheRoad;7062357

My only other minor quibble is that some of the silver hardware is starting to pit/rust, which I can’t figure out how to fix either…

Really, if you’re spending that much on a piece of tack, the hardware should not be pitting/rusting after only five years! I have tack that is much older (both similar and lesser quality) and the hardware is all perfect. I would be more upset about this than the impossible-to-clean elastic.

[olivertwist96]

I have a flat Edgewood one that I bought second hand on eBay for 75 bucks. I love it. The leather is soooo soft and supple yet still strong and holds up well to heavy use. My trainer has an Antares one (the one with the blue elastic others have mentioned) and it is very nice but I don’t like the elastic because it is hard to get clean. I have loved every piece of Edgewood tack I’ve ever owned so I would go with Edgewood. Lasts forever, retains value well, and you can find them used frequently!

[Horseymama]

[QUOTE=woodhillsmanhattan;7058195]
Hello friends,

I borrowed a Devoucoux ( not 5-point) one this past weekend and it worked well but $390 is a bit much for me! [/QUOTE]

It is a bit expensive but I have one and for a smallish type horse it fits amazing! I have used it on many horses between 15.3 and 16.2. I’ve never found anything that fits like that! I have had it for years, too, so it wears well. The running martingale that comes with it is elastic, which I also like. For me, it’s been worth the price.

[soloudinhere]

[QUOTE=KingoftheRoad;7062357]
I’ve had my Antares blue elastic breastplate for about five years now, and I love it, EXCEPT - I can’t figure out how to clean the elastic! It always looks grimy - I’ve tried blasting it with a hose, I’ve tried scrubbing it with dishwasher detergent (Dawn) in my sink, I’ve even tried toothpaste that someone recommended.

If anyone knows how to get the elastic clean, I’d say it’s a great purchase - I use it with a running martingale attachment and always get compliments on it. My only other minor quibble is that some of the silver hardware is starting to pit/rust, which I can’t figure out how to fix either…[/QUOTE]

OxiClean.

wet the elastic, take the powder and make a paste, apply, kind of rub it in with your fingers, let sit, and rinse. Works on mine.

[jsjumper]

[QUOTE=soloudinhere;7059228]
I see a fair number of the Antares come up used, too. It shouldn’t be difficult to find one.[/QUOTE]

Really?! I’ve been looking for one for months!