Western tack questions

[jonem004]

I know very little about western tack. I will be starting my young horse under saddle this fall. I have a synthetic western saddle I’d like to use because it’s easy to handle and I don’t want to damage my english saddles. I’ve had it on him before and it fits him pretty well.

the trainer I’m working with recommended I get a back cinch and maybe a breast collar just to get the horse used to more stuff on his body. Sounds good to me.

So I’m looking for a black, affordable, safe back cinch and breast collar for a big, thick, 16hh 2yo. I’m ignorant of western brands for the most part. This tack will probably be used for 3 months and then we’ll be in other equipment.

What are the best places to find something like this? Any brand recommendations? Things I should stay away from? Anything I should know that I’m not asking?

[sahqueen]

If the saddle fits and down the road the horse will not be using tack where a back cinch or breastcollar is needed wouldn’t bother adding them now…especially if you are unsure of how they should be fitted properly…one more thing to cause a potential issue with no benefit to the training process.

[Bluey]

If you are not familiar with back cinches, be sure yours has a hobble strap between cinches, so your back cinch doesn’t slide back and acts as a bucking strap.

Pictures in this article so you can see what that is:

https://horseandrider.com/gear/western-cinches-key-facts-28836

[MissCoco]

Here is a dumb question, from someone who knows nothing at all about western tack.
For this purpose (when the breastcollar is being used to get the horse used to it, rather than to keep the saddle from sliding back), would it be fine to use an english style breastplate?
I don’t even know if the attachments would be compatible, and of course, it would depend on the style being used as well.

[Bluey]

@MissCoco

Here is a dumb question, from someone who knows nothing at all about western tack.
For this purpose (when the breastcollar is being used to get the horse used to it, rather than to keep the saddle from sliding back), would it be fine to use an english style breastplate?
I don’t even know if the attachments would be compatible, and of course, it would depend on the style being used as well.

Western breast collars attach lower than English style standard ones, other than the heavy pulling type that has straps going around the swells.
Guess that if you have long enough straps in an English breast collar, you could attach it as a pulling collar?

Most people with western saddles that train and compete, not just ride around in an arena, use breast collars to keep saddles from sliding back and from side to side and of course you want one roping.

[MissCoco]

@Bluey

Western breast collars attach lower than English style standard ones, other than the heavy pulling type that has straps going around the swells.
Guess that if you have long enough straps in an English breast collar, you could attach it as a pulling collar?

Most people with western saddles that train and compete, not just ride around in an arena, use breast collars to keep saddles from sliding back and from side to side and of course you want one roping.

Thanks for your answer!

[Aces_N_Eights]

Just to add to what has been said, if your tall colt is deep through the flanks make sure the back cinch set-up is long enough to accommodate with room to adjust.

”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹Some of the cheaper, economy setups can be short. I prefer long billets with plenty of holes so I have plenty of room to adjust especially riding a wide variety of horses.

[beau159]

@jonem004

I know very little about western tack. I will be starting my young horse under saddle this fall. I have a synthetic western saddle I’d like to use because it’s easy to handle and I don’t want to damage my english saddles. I’ve had it on him before and it fits him pretty well.

the trainer I’m working with recommended I get a back cinch and maybe a breast collar just to get the horse used to more stuff on his body. Sounds good to me.

So I’m looking for a black, affordable, safe back cinch and breast collar for a big, thick, 16hh 2yo. I’m ignorant of western brands for the most part. This tack will probably be used for 3 months and then we’ll be in other equipment.

What are the best places to find something like this? Any brand recommendations? Things I should stay away from? Anything I should know that I’m not asking?

Honestly, for what you are wanting to do with it, something very cheap will do the trick. How about $10 from horse . com like this one? Just check the length to make sure it will be long enough for your tall boy. If you want it strictly for the use of “sacking out” the horse to get used to it for a couple months, that will do the trick. Same for the breastcollar. Find a cheap nylon breastcollar and that will serve the purpose.

Leather back cinches can quickly get over $100, especially for nice ones. If you want to shell out the money for something you’ll barely use, be my guest. (but you’ll be hard pressed to find a black leather one, although they are out there)

[Big_Thoughts]

The purpose of the back cinch is to keep the saddle on its place and avoid going up and back. Get the correct measurement before you buy anything. You need to confirm if your saddle comes with off billets or you need to buy off billets too.
Back cinch is not necessary , some dont use at all .
Breast collar help keep your saddle centered and secure on your horses back as it powers through the maneuvers. Breast collars are important pieces of equipment that help stabilize your saddle
I found few different variety of cinch and breast collar www.saddleonlineshop.com