Breastplates - padded or not?

[GreyDes]

I’m planning to get a Taylored Tack breastplate, and am debating between the padded Kickapoo and the unpadded Mohawk.

Both can be seen at - http://www.tayloredtack.com/BREAST_COLLARS.htm

My current breastplate is a plain black beta biothane one from Running Bear. I’ve had it for 10+ years and haven’t managed to kill it. I’m getting a new one just because I want something pretty

I’d love to hear your thoughts on padded v unpadded. The breastplate is for a 14hh Arab. He will occaisonally get light rubs from his current breastplate, right where the center chest ring is. It’s covered in neoprene, and I probably should replace that with sheepskin to see if that will take care of it. He’s never rubbed on his shoulders.

He does get rubs easily from his blankets, etc., which is why I’m considering getting the padded one if the padding really helps.

Thanks for your input!

[BigHorseLittleHorse]

My Arab gets rubs if you look at him cross-eyed, but his padded Taylored Tack breastcollar does NOT rub, even after 50 miles Absolutely worth the extra $$$, IMO.

[_BrionesRider]

Get padded. Better in the long run, well worth the investment.

[GreyDes]

Thanks to you both! Kickapoo it is

[chicamuxen1]

Just one thing to consider when making your breastplate decision. I do have a lovely Taylored Tack breastplate, it fits my horse who is big and wide and has long sloped shoulders. I learned in the past with another padded breastplate that you have less room for adding adjustment holes on the shoulder pieces. You can’t put holes thru the padding and/or decorative top layer. This means you can only take up the shoulder adjustments just so far. Since you have a short horse this may be an issue for you.

Another idea I wanted to pass on that may help prevent rubbing on the chest is this. If you let the shoulder adjustments out longer and really shorten the piece that connects from the chest ring to the girth/cinch this will lower the ring on the chest. Then when the horse lowers his head to eat and drink he has more freedom of movement and less chance of rubbing. The breast plate still works correctly and the horse is more comfortable. You may find you have to add some holes on that girth connection strap(use a small tip soldering iron) and cut off a few excess inches of biothane strap. After I figured this out I haven’t had to pad that chest ring again.

Bonnie

[BigHorseLittleHorse]

[QUOTE=chicamuxen1;7058086]
Just one thing to consider when making your breastplate decision. I do have a lovely Taylored Tack breastplate, it fits my horse who is big and wide and has long sloped shoulders. I learned in the past with another padded breastplate that you have less room for adding adjustment holes on the shoulder pieces. You can’t put holes thru the padding and/or decorative top layer. This means you can only take up the shoulder adjustments just so far. Since you have a short horse this may be an issue for you.[/QUOTE]

Good point, Bonnie. OP, if you email Amanda at Taylored Tack, she can probably help you with the measurements and make something smaller if you need it.

[GreyDes]

Thanks for mentioning that! Yes, I’ll email Amanda with measurements.

[Mukluk]

I would think that any horse would prefer padded. I have a Zilco biothane breastplate that is padded. It’s three years old. Throw it in the washing machine comes out looking new. Have never had a rub.