Help me go shopping: breastplate edition! Recommendations highly appreciated

[skipollo]

I’m coming out of my “eventing retirement” after spending the last five-ish years in jumperland. In trying all of our old gear on just to make sure it’s in good shape/fits, it turns out our breastplate is way too small. I currently have a five-point HDR, so it’s not the nicest but it’s in good condition, it’s just WAY too small. It felt like I was putting a choker on my poor horse last night, and after a 30-minute walking hack, he had a rub where his neck ties into his chest (aka where the chest piece is currently sitting because it’s so small). SO long story short, we need a new one.

Brands I’m already considering:
Nunn Finer
LeMieux

The Flexible Fit ones look really nice, but they seem to come up so high at the base of the neck where it ties into the chest, so I’m not really sold on those.

Budget is healthy but I’m not willing to spend $400+ on a breastplate. Running martingale attachments are not needed but if the perfect breastplate comes with them, I don’t mind. I’m not really dedicated to any particular type, but I’m leaning towards a three-point that attaches either to the D rings or the girth, no preference. I don’t want a polo style or one that’s almost all elastic.

I guess I was foolish to think the breastplate that fit him as a baby would fit him now…

Any recommendations are much appreciated, thanks!

[BayBondGirl]

Ooo I just saw that Lumiere Equestrian has a lovely breastplate on sale; I would 100% scoop it up if I knew for sure what size my baby draftX would end as!

‘Vida' 3-Point Bridge Breastplate

I love that this one has elastics for flexibility and stabilizes at multiple points. I haven’t handled one in person, but a friend owns a bridle and a halter from them and says the quality is amazing, especially at that price point.

[BraveSC]

I’ve been through my fair share of breastplates and will send along my findings!
First I ordered a Flexible Fit one ($240) and it came loose in a huge box, no tags, wrapped in blue and red tissue paper. The leather was cracked and the quality was not worth the price…didnt even try it on my guy. Then I had a Tory 5 point as well but was a pain to clean and bulky. Currently, I have Correct Connect free motion breastplate which I REALLY like and use it often.
The one I keep going back to all the time is my Nunn Finer hunting 3 way one. So well made, great leather and great fit!

[skipollo]

Good to know about the Flexible Fit one. For that price that sounds really disappointing.

That’s the NF one I have bookmarked. I have to measure my current one tonight to see if I need Horse or Oversize ‍:dizzy: he wasn’t nearly this big when I bought him, but I just kept feeding him and he kept on growing how do you find the sizing for it, like does it run small/big or is it true to size? My horse is a 16.2 medium-light boned OTTB, 81” blanket. To ME he’s very average size-wise in every way, but apparently I’m wrong

[BraveSC]

I have a 15.3 but stout redhead and found the horse size to be very generous! I ended up having the strap over the withers shortened a bit.

[SadieRidingHorses]

It’s expensive, but I have the Fairfax breastplate and I love it.

[FromTheGalaxy]

I’ve been eyeing the Correct Connect breastplates as well as their grab straps. I really like the design of the grab strap that sits up off the neck, as I have a hard time remembering to reach for my regular neck strap. Nice to hear that someone has tried the breastplate and likes it!

[BraveSC]

I haven’t tried any of the Correct Connect ones with the grab straps but this one on the Free Motion is easy to grab when needed. I was pleasantly surprised by the leather quality too of it! I wanted the Fairfax one like @SadieRidingHorses suggested but struggled with the price.

[Live_Wire]

Curious what size you bought and how you feel it fits? I’ve been eyeing up this one, but my horse is very thin chested with a massive shoulder.

[enjoytheride]

I’ve heard good things about the Correct Connect.

I’ve had this breastplate from Tory forever. I like it because you don’t have to unhook the lead rope or loop the reins through it because there’s a snap. I later got a custom breastplate from Bliss and added extra of their opening rings to mimic the same thing.

https://www.bigdweb.com/product/code/561.do?gclid=CjwKCAiAuOieBhAIEiwAgjCvcvqm-vCxFzzZCzKlOV5KuTaGEJV8B9GdHnSW9NVxI7aQIHY9YCaLPBoCw4EQAvD_BwE

WeenieEventer

[skipollo]

Well all I DID IT! I narrowed it down from everyone’s suggestions and my own research, and I ended up ordering this one:

Nunn Finer Hunting Breastplate with Elastic | Nunn Finer

It’s really adjustable per the measurement chart, and measurements are taken at the middle holes so I have a lot of options for making things shorter/longer. Fingers crossed it fits! If he ends up needing an oversize I will just scream because if HE’s an oversize…what are the giant WBs wearing?!?

Thanks for all of your input, it was very helpful and I feel more confident in my purchase.

[BraveSC]

Excellent choice!

[Amy3996]

I have the Flexible Fit and love it. I’ve purchased 2 in the last 18 months (changed tack colors). Ordered the first one, bought the second at their booth at Land Rover. The leather quality has been great on both and they’ve held up well.

[fanfayre]

Ooh, I may just have to order the Vida- because, well my mare’s name is Vida! The irony is it wouldn’t be used on <= Vida (the photo) but instead on my new-old guy Caleb.

[Fiesta01]

Wow! He developed into quite the handsome boy.

[skipollo]

It’s here and I’m in love

Horse size is fine for him, definitely have it on the looser holes and if he was any bigger in any way, he would for sure need the O/S. I just need to order some D ring savers and we’re all set

[FrittSkritt]

I think the NF elastic ones run small - I inherited a horse sized one and put it on my 16.2 (narrow) TB, only to find it had to be on the last hole. If I bought another one for him, I’d definitely go for the OS.

[endlessclimb]

You’ve already bought yours, but feel like i need to give a warning:

DO NOT buy the Stubben bridge breastplate. The buckles rusted/turned green on me. For that price, those buckles should have been stainless. It’s pretty otherwise though.

The correct connect breastplate will not allow for martingale attachments due to design, just a heads up for people (no strap to the girth).

I have the correct connect neck strap and it is LOVELY. Nice leather, nice design.

I want someone to come up with a bridge breastplate that will allow for a raised grab strap over the neck. I hate too much equipment, and that would simplify things.

[beowulf]

A slight hijack — are there any knock off versions of Correct Connect or Fairfax out on the market yet? I usually ride in polo breastplates versus a traditional three point, but they’re not really anatomical. The studies put forth by Fairfax interest me since I do jump with these breastplates - but I’m having a hard time shelling out $200 yet.

[Rackonteur]

Thank you for posting the WeenieEventer link. I clicked on it. I read “Moving Forward” from September 2019. It was very sad. It was also very comforting. I thought, There IS a horseperson out there who might understand how I feel. My experience of the past 18 months has not been the same, but the feelings it left are similar. Thank you for posting it.