13 best equestrian breast collars

Equestrian breast collars, also known as breastplates, are essential pieces of tack used in horse riding. They are designed to secure the horse's saddle in place and provide additional control and stability during various equestrian activities. Here's what you should know about equestrian breast collars:

  1. Purpose: Breast collars are used to prevent the saddle from sliding backward on the horse's back, especially during activities that involve steep inclines or rapid movements, such as trail riding, eventing, and barrel racing. They help distribute the pressure and weight more evenly across the horse's chest.

  2. Components: A typical equestrian breast collar consists of several components:

    • Neck Strap: This strap goes around the horse's neck, just behind the withers (the highest point of the horse's back).
    • Shoulder Straps: These straps extend from the neck strap down to the saddle's girth or billets, passing over the horse's shoulders.
    • Attachment Points: Breast collars attach to the saddle at the D-rings or other suitable points. Some designs also include a martingale attachment for additional control.
  3. Types of Breast Collars:

    • English Breastplate: These are commonly used in English riding disciplines like dressage and eventing.They have a Y-shaped design and attach to the saddle's billets.
    • Western Breast Collar: Western-style breast collars are often wider and more substantial. They are prevalent in Western riding disciplines such as rodeo events and trail riding.
    • Pulling Collar: This type of breast collar is commonly used in draft horse and working horse activities, where horses are harnessed to pull loads. It helps distribute the weight evenly across the chest and shoulders.
  4. Adjustability: Breast collars are usually adjustable to fit horses of different sizes and shapes. Proper fitting is essential to ensure comfort and prevent chafing or rubbing.

  5. Materials: Breast collars can be made from various materials, including leather, nylon, neoprene, or a combination of these. The choice of material can affect durability, appearance, and ease of maintenance.

  6. Additional Features: Some breast collars may include features like elastic inserts for flexibility, fleece padding for comfort, or decorative embellishments for style.

  7. Safety: Properly fitted breast collars should not restrict the horse's movement or impede its breathing. They should be snug but not overly tight.

  8. Use in Training: Breast collars are also used in training to encourage horses to carry themselves correctly and maintain their balance. They can help prevent the saddle from slipping backward during training sessions.

  9. Maintenance: Like all equestrian tack, breast collars require regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure longevity. Leather breast collars may need conditioning to keep them supple and prevent cracking.

  10. Discipline-Specific Variations: Depending on the riding discipline and the specific needs of the horse and rider, there may be variations in breast collar designs. Some may include additional attachments for training aids or accessories.

Equestrian breast collars play a vital role in ensuring the stability and comfort of the saddle during riding activities. Riders should choose a breast collar that suits their riding style and discipline while ensuring proper fit and adjustment for the horse's comfort and safety.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best equestrian breast collars on the market
  

Amish USA Made Horse Tack Hermann Oak Leather Pulling Breast Collar 975H5021

Challenger Horsewear

Based on 5 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Pulling Breast Collar

  • 2" wide D ring
  • Tan Leather with Brass Hardware
  • Pulling Breast Collar
  • 2" wide D ring
  • Heavy reinforced stitching for durability

Cashel Nylon Fleece Lined Straight Breast Collar

Cashel

Based on 56 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Cashel Fleece Breastcollar This soft and comfortable Fleece Breastcollar is designed to be used with any western style saddle. The removable and washable fleece back is soft and comfortable to your horse. 3/4" adjustable nylon strap closures.

  • COLOR: BROWN

User questions & answers

Question: The strap closures are shot. Do you sell replacements
Answer: It would but you would likely have to change the girth out to pony size.
Question: will this fit a 15hh quarter horse
Answer: Not a good idea as it isn't a saddle. Bareback pads are for bareback riding. Learn good balance and get a leg and core strengthening at the same time.
Question: Hello, could you confirm me the size? I need for a horse of medium size
Answer: The pad itself is one size, the cinch is what you change out to make it fit your horse/pony.
Question: Would this fit a 16 hh tb
Answer: Yes it would fit a cob or medium pony

Tough 1 Royal King Frontier Breast Collar

Tough 1

Based on 24 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Designed for today's rider. Made of quality bridle leather. Doubled and stitched throughout for longer wear. Tapers from 1 1/2" to 1 1/4".

  • Designed for today's rider
  • Made of quality bridle leather
  • Doubled and stitched throughout for longer wear
  • Tapers from 1 1/2" to 1 1/4
  • Dark oil finish

Weaver Leather Working Tack Breast Collar

Weaver Leather

Based on 28 reviews Check latest price
  • Product Type: Sporting Goods
  • Country Of Origin: United States
  • Item Package Weight: 1.728 Kgs
  • Item Package Dimensions: 11.8 L X 18.7 W X 40.4 H (Cm)

User questions & answers

Question: I have a 17+ hand, very large Friesian whose breast collar is too small. Will this fit a large horse
Answer: No

Weaver Felt Lined Nylon Pony Breast Collar

WEAVER LEATHER

Based on 4 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Weaver Leather Nylon Pony Felt Lined Breast Collar Slim 1" wide webbing breast collar Lined with 1/2" thick, black 100% felt on the breast pieces and center strap Features a tie down dee and snap Nickel plated hardware (center ring is stainless steel) Fits 400 - 600 lbs.

  • 1 inch Webbing
  • 1/2" Black 100% Felt Lining
  • Nickel Plated Hardware
  • Made by Weaver Leather Mt. Hope, Ohio

User questions & answers

Question: What are the lengths of each of the several pieces of leather of which this breast collar is made
Answer: It did not fit our 14.2 Haflinger. Haflingers are more stocky like work horses so take that into consideration, but I kind of doubt it will work for you.

Product features

About Weaver Leather

Founded by Harry A. Weaver in 1973 as the Fryburg Shoe Shop, Weaver Leather grew from humble beginnings into a trusted manufacturer of a wide range of leather and nylon goods.

Today’s Weaver Leather is experiencing continual growth and caters to a variety of U.S. and international customers in the markets it serves including equine, livestock, pet, leather supply, and arborist,. While much has changed through the years, our steadfast commitment to our customers remains our top priority.

Many of our products are handcrafted in Mt. Hope, Ohio and feature the finest materials, skilled American workmanship and finishing touches for years of dependable performance.

Our Divisions

Circle Y Straight Floral Tool Breast Collar

Circle Y

Based on 10 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The Circle Y Straight Floral Tool Breast Collar is made from the finest leather and quality hardware. This basic 1" straight breast collar is floral tooled with stainless steel hardware.

  • GREAT ACCENT TO ANY SADDLE - Circle Y Straight Classic Floral Breast Collar for horses is a great accent to any saddle; the Collar features beautiful floral tooling
  • DURABLE BREAST COLLAR - Circle Y Straight Breast Collar features Double Ply and Stainless Steel Hardware for lasting durability and longer wear; Designed to survive through endless days of work and play, this breast collar works as hard as you do
  • MATCH WITH MOST SADDLES - Circle Y Straight Breast Collars with beautiful floral tooling are designed to be used with most saddles
  • SPECIFICATIONS - Circle Y Straight Classic Floral Breast Collar is 1 1/2 in wide and weights 2.0000; it comes in Horse Size and available in two colors - Regular Oil and Walnut; Model 4280-0004 is Regular Oil
  • HIGH-QUALITY HORSE TACK - Circle Y started handcrafting saddles in 1960, and today it continues to produce high-quality saddles and tack building on the heritage, traditions, and care the company was founded on

User questions & answers

Question: Is this colored black
Answer: I believe would fit great on a medium size horse.

Circle Y Basketweave Straight Breast Collar

Circle Y

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

1 1/2" breast collar - Straight- Basketweave. Size: Average Horse.

  • Date First Available :
  • Manufacturer :
  • ASIN :

Teskey's Basket Stamped Pulling Collar

Teskey's Saddle Shop

Based on 7 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Teskey's basket stamped pulling collar comes in light or heavy oil. With basket stamped tooling and a shell border this collar is perfect for everyday use. Equipped with stainless steel hardware.

  • Basket Stamped
  • Shell Border
  • Stainless Steel Hardware
  • Light or Heavy Oil

Teskey's Slick Out Pulling Collar

Teskey's Saddle Shop

Based on 5 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Teskey's slick out pulling collar is available in either light or heavy oil. Very simple but durable to last.

  • Slick Out
  • Stainless Steel Hardware
  • Light or Heavy Oil

User questions & answers

Question: Does this come with straps to attatch to saddle
Answer: I had to put extra holes in the end of straps to fit around my horse that is right at 15hh. I would not buy this product again because of its size, I ended up buying a leather one and it fit great. Just my 2 cents.

Circle Y Straight Breast Collar

Circle Y

Based on 8 reviews Check latest price

Product description

1 1/2" breast collar. Size: Average Horse. Hardware: S tainless steel spring snap

  • GREAT ACCENT TO YOUR SADDLE - Circle Y Straight Classic Smooth Breast Collar for horses is a great accent to any saddle; the breast collar features no tooling, it is smooth
  • DURABLE BREAST COLLAR - Circle Y Straight Breast Collar features Double Ply and Stainless Steel Hardware for lasting durability and longer wear; Designed to survive through endless days of work and play, this breast collar works as hard as you do
  • MATCH WITH ANY SADDLE - Circle Y Straight Classic Smooth Breast Collars are designed to be used with most saddles; This Straight Breast Collar features simple 3-piece design and no tooling to match any saddle
  • SPECIFICATIONS - Circle Y Straight Classic Smooth Breast Collar is 1 1/2 in wide and weights 2.0000; it comes in Horse Size and available in three colors - Regular Oil, Walnut and Black; Model 4281-0004 is Regular Oil
  • HIGH-QUALITY HORSE TACK - Circle Y started handcrafting saddles in 1960, and today it continues to produce high-quality saddles and tack building on the heritage, traditions, and care the company was founded on

Product features

WHY YOU SHOULD RIDE CIRCLE Y

Circle Y started hand crafting saddles in 1960 in the small Texas town of Yoakum. Still located there, Circle Y continues to produce high-quality saddles and tack with the heritage and traditions the company was founded on. Establishing this with stylish and innovative products, Circle Y products reflect the current trends in design that are ahead of the industry in technology.

Circle Y Straight Classic Smooth Breast Collar

This Straight Classic Smooth Breast Collar is a classic straight breast collar, with a simple 3-piece design and no tooling to match with any saddle.

Weaver Leather Austin Collection

Weaver Leather

Based on 17 reviews Check latest price
  • Rich Brown Premium English Bridle Leather
  • Etched Nickel Brass Spots
  • Jeremiah Watt Horse Shoe Brand Hardware
  • Made by Weaver Leather Mt. Hope, Ohio

User questions & answers

Question: Listed as roper reins, but split reins are pictured. What kind are they
Answer: I'm sorry, the manufacturer does not provide specific measurements. Slim 1" wide webbing breast collarLined with 1/2" thick, black 100% felt on the breast pieces and center strapFeatures a tie down dee and snapNickel plated hardware (center ring is stainless steel)Fits 400 - 600 lbs.
Question: Does the ear piece slide on the single or is it fixed?? I saw a review elsewhere that says it doesn’t
Answer: I found replacements online by doing a search. I had to get longer straps because my mare is broader chested. Can’t remember where I finally ended up getting them but a lot of places like Jeffers, Dover, Stateline tack, horses.com, have them.

Product features

Unbeatable Quality

Perfect for horse riders looking for a high-end showy look at an affordable price point.

Refined smoothed and darkened edges and precise stitching, alongside specialty floral engraved hardware with black accents lends added style and value.

Rich brown premium English bridle leather with etched nickel brass spots for a gleaming touch.

Tough 1 Royal King Working Breast Collar

Tough 1

Based on 86 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Designed for today's rider. Made of quality bridle leather. Doubled and stitched throughout for longer wear.

  • Doubled and stitched throughout for longer wear
  • 5/8" fine import leather
  • Stained edges
  • Dark oil finish

User questions & answers

Question: Can this work for a girth without a ring
Answer: They are available as roper reins or split reins depending on which you select. Unfortunately it appears that there is no photo of the roper reins on this listing, but they are available in either style.
Question: will it fit an Arab
Answer: It’s not supposed to slide, that’s the whole point.
Question: Will it fit a draft
Answer: Yes. It is a pulling collar, the straps go around the pommel.
Question: Does this breast collar have a snap hook that attaches to the cinch
Answer: The color is walnut. Circle Y discontinued the black option on this breast collar.

NEFTF LED Horse Breastplate Collar Bridle Halter High Visibility Tack for Night Horse Riding

NEFTF

Based on 40 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Highly Visible Safety Equestrian Protective Gear

  • With the advent of winter and MUCH shorter days, this product makes it safer to ride on the road at dusk or even after dark. Great for night riding. They are bright and nicely made.
  • Each breastplates collar is made up of 3 LED strips. The three points settings are nice and having each strap its own separate led is nice too.
  • Switch through the adjustment of long light,Flash,Slow flash,length adjustable
  • Switch through the adjustment of long light,Flash,Slow flash,length adjustable
  • Item come with free CR2032 batteries, it`s very easy to replace, when the batteries run out of, you can find it at any store (CR2032 batteries is much Safer than USB charging version)

User questions & answers

Question: Will this fit a Tennessee Walker
Answer: no, not even. My girls are smaller horses and it barely fits them.
Question: Is there one size fits all with breastplates
Answer: Yes. It has a 2 1/2" long, 5/8" eye, nickel plated swivel square eye snap.

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