Can someone please explain the difference in the types of breastplates and why you would use one over another?
You mean from a five-point, a polo, or an average (three-point)?
I have ridden in all three, and I now have switched all of my horses to a polo breastplate that I always jump in and sometimes depending on horse, flat in. After reading about this research here, http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/…h-finds-644546
And the popularity at Rolex, I bought in. In the first use my coach and I noticed my horse using herself better, so for mine it’s been an easy switch. I purchased the thicker Bobby’s polo-breastplate at a local tack store. Before-hand she was in a heavily fleeced five-point.
I’ve always been hesitant to purchase breastplates with heavy elastic from reading George Morris’s column in PH where he always brought them up as a hazzard.
I have never heard that heavy elastic on a breastplate could be a hazard. I am having a tough time figuring out why that would be dangerous. Do you know why he thinks that?
The only thing I can come up with is that if the horse gets tangled in something the elastic keeps stretching and either snaps back against the horse causing panic or the elastic stretching somehow never allows the leather to break to free the horse. Or am I missing something?
There have been cases of horses being choked and killed by elastic breastplates - the breastplates being too tight and constricting them, I guess. I was told this by both George and another BNT. I love the look of elastic breastplates though, and how little they interfere when appropriately fitted.
It’s one of those things, everything presents a risk. Even the clip on the bottom of your girth could get you killed.
I don’t like the 5-point because it’s too much strap and leather, and too much to remove in an emergency - the less things to get caught on, the better… it’s also a lot of leather to clean. My reasoning for not using them: too busy, too clunky, too much of a PITA to take off.
I do like having a grab-strap though, and use an old stirrup leather for that. Easy to use, doesn’t look great, but gets the job done.
I think in some cases, you really do need a breastplate… especially on longer courses with bigger efforts or long hunts… the saddle totally will shift, even a will-fitting one… so for that, I’d prefer a hunt breastplate.
Polo - good, workman breastplate that keeps the saddle from too much shifting, with grab handle for rider (sometimes). Connects to billet
Elastic - used for XC primarily, just to keep saddle from slipping back… connects to billets, or d-rings usually.
Hunt - usually 3 point, connecting to girth & d-rings (or billets) - prevents slipping and provides stability, with an overcross strap on the wither. Used for hunting and XC.
5 Point - Used for XC primarily; maximum stability and prevents slipping. Connects to girth, billets & d-rings.
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Thank you Beowolf! That is exactly the type of response I was looking for! It appears that the old tried and true polo breastplate that I used way back in the day may still be the way to go!
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