Western breast collars play dual role as safety gear and horse jewelry

The breast collar is not only the finishing touch for a well-turned-out horse, giving bling and pizzazz, but it is also a significant piece of safety gear.
 
It is an important horse tack item that refines the overall “show look” for horse and rider – it can color-match a rider’s outfit, add flash and jewelry to his chest, highlight the horse's muscle and conformation, or simply emphasize the snazzy show presentation of both horse and rider.

This is a beautiful example of "Horse Jewelry" - it is lovely on the horse -
and if the rider is dressed to compliment the horse tack and the horse,
they will make a stunning appearance in the show ring. This Breast Collar
adds much decorative bling to an already great-looking horse!

When horse and rider team up for fast action events or engage in strenuous, demanding teamwork, the breast collar becomes a critical piece of horse tack.

In this article, I’m writing mostly about the use of the breast collar in western sport and as the ultimate horse jewelry. As I’ve already mentioned, it is a critical piece of horse tack for many western riding disciplines. In fact, it is a must-have horse tack item for reining, roping, ranching, eventing and racing. But I should mention that breast “plates” (the english rider’s term for this piece of gear) are also used in english horseback riding and training. Whatever the riding style, be it english or western, the breast collar is a universally-used piece of horse equipment that prevents the saddle from slipping while appropriately centering it on the horse.

The breast collar fits comfortably across the chest of the horse, attaching to the saddle. I like to think of it as a gorgeous and necessary horse tack item (and jewelry embellishment if it’s flashy) in the show ring.  When the breast collar is properly adjusted, it prevents the saddle from sliding backward, and maintains the correct centered position on the horse’s back. If the breast collar is fitted well and correctly to the saddle, both horse and rider are comfortable and ready for a safe ride.

This pony is all decked out in red and the Little Cowpoke is riding tall! 

Here is the proper way to tack up the horse with a breast collar. Just a safety reminder – cross tie the horse or have a handler “head up” him up.

Assuming the horse is groomed and ready to tack up, place the saddle blanket on the horse’s back. Center the saddle over the blanket, adjust the saddle in proper position and tighten the cinch.
 
Then, with the breast collar forming a “Y” on the horse’s chest, buckle first one side and then the other to the D-rings on the saddle. Slide the long strap between the front legs of the horse and attach to the cinch using the small D-ring.

Now make final adjustments to the breast collar. Adjust the long “y” strap to allow about two inches of slack. Then focus on the side straps – fasten the buckles on either side to fit the horse slightly above the point of the shoulder. Do this on both sides of the horse making sure the breast collar fits symmetrically on the chest of the horse. Pull the leather straps away from the shoulders to test the fit – allow from 3 to 4 inches of “play” to permit freedom of leg movement and prevent chafing.

Of course, don’t forget to tighten the cinch after all this adjusting.

It’s time to mount up and hit the trails. To use the words of Roy Rogers, “Happy trails to you. Until we meet again.”

A pretty Cowgirl, a good-looking horse and horse tack from Ozark Leather
is a pretty combination. This particular horse tack is a concho style.
Now doesn't that look like jewelry?