re crupper and breast collar

["Seamstob" <seamstob@telusplanet.net>]

I see breast collars fitted wrong all the time.

First they should be compy  not tight. The ring ( I am talking biothane hunter style) should be low enough that it does not interfere. Put your finger on your throat where your neck meets your chest. You can feel the breast bone.Push your finger in the indent it is not pleasant. Breast collars that are to loose with the ring set high pull back into that area of the neck.They choke them.

The cinch strap should not be tight but not more then a couple inches of slack. When the saddle slides back the cinch stays in place or is pulled forward. The ring slides up taking up the slack. That is why placement is important.

The upper straps should sit in the crease of the neck and shoulder. The wither strap keeps them in place.They should be placed so that they don't interfere with movement and don't rub. The breastcollars western style that lay across the shoulders are bad for rubbing.

The crupper and I use one lots should be fitted for comfort. It does not need to be tight. A horse rounds its back and changes shape while it moves. If both breastcollar and crupper are tight the horse can't move freely. You don't want your crupper hanging to far down but if made properly they don't rub and are used to stop the saddle from coming forward. I have a couple inches slack in mine. I ride loose cinch so they help keep my saddle in place. I figure I have 2 to 3 inches of slippage each direction. I really can't think of a time my saddle has slipped back to the point of my breastcollar being tight on the horse. Forward over the ears,did that this weekend forgot my crupper at home

Paddi Sprecher
Canadian Trail House
manufacturer and retailer of fine biothane tack
www.biothanetack.com
Devon  Alberta
Canada