Breastplates for Horses: Maximum Hold and Shoulder Freedom

The Breastplate: Secure Hold for Your Saddle

A breastplate is an indispensable part of modern equestrian sports, especially in show jumping and eventing. Its primary function is to prevent the saddle from sliding backwards during strong movements (such as jumping over an obstacle or galloping uphill). It thus offers the rider an enormous increase in safety and protects the sensitive horse's back from an ill-fitting saddle.

Design and Attachment

Classic breastplates consist of a strap construction that runs across the horse's chest. They are attached at three to five points: to the girth (between the front legs) and to the D-rings of the saddle or the girth straps. Many models are additionally equipped with a running martingale attachment. Depending on your needs, this can easily be clipped on or off with a carabiner and helps to better control the horse's head carriage if they tend to throw their head up.

Comfort through Elasticity and Padding

To ensure that the horse's movement is not restricted, high-quality breastplates feature robust elastic inserts in the shoulder area. These stretch with every canter stride and over the jump, allowing the horse to enjoy maximum freedom of the shoulder. To prevent chafing on the sensitive chest, the contact areas are often softly padded with leather, neoprene, or genuine sheepskin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a breastplate and a martingale?
A standard running martingale only consists of a neck strap and the fork; its sole purpose is to keep the horse's head down, but it has no holding effect on the saddle. A breastplate, on the other hand, secures the saddle and usually has the martingale function only as an optional addition.

How tight should a breastplate be fitted?
It must never restrict breathing or shoulder movement. As a rule of thumb: You should be able to comfortably fit an upright fist between the chest piece of the breastplate and the horse's chest.

Can I use a breastplate in dressage?
It is often allowed in the warm-up arena, but generally not in a pure dressage test (unless explicitly stated otherwise in the rulebook). However, for daily training or hacking out, it is also an excellent tool for dressage riders whose saddles tend to slip.