Why breastplate and seperate running martingale?

[Duramax]

Has anyone else noticed the trend towards upper level folks using both a breastplate and a seperate running martingale? Why not just use a running attatchment that clips to the center ring on the breastplate? In the most recent USEA magazine I saw pics of Philip Dutton, Becky Holder and Karen O'Connor doing this. To me it just seems like excess clutter around the horses neck and around his legs. Am I missing something? :confused:

[bornfreenowexpensive]

for me it is often because the attachments to the breastplate do not fit my horses. They are rarely long enough and give a different feel that I don't like when they come into use. I also don't always use Y breastplate....I actually prefer the polo stye but even if I do use a Y breasplate, I don't use the attachment but put on a separate martingale.

Another reason is that the separate martingale gives you a better jump strap then a Y breastplate....or a polo breastplate.

[War Admiral]

2 different functions: breastplate keeps saddle from slipping, running martingale to help control horse. I never liked the combo things & most certainly can't imagine them on XC!

[c_expresso]

Hate the combo... for the running to fit properly the breastplate is too loose!

[Thomas_1]

Some folks just don't know the fashion rule..... less is more ;)

http://www.wvstables.com/14.jpg

[beeblebrox]

I used to be a two kind of girl also, Breastplate plus martingale (if needed)

The CWD people now make a breastplate that works like the old polo ones with less restriction and a running attachment that works so now I am all about one piece of equipment

http://www.cwdsellier.com/?currentPage=Collection&family=CM

It goes to the girth on the short girth saddles or mono flaps and I have to say I would have never uses a combo before this, it works for many of my horses

Now many of the makers have attachments that are adjustable and not just one size as someone mentioned that in order for the running to work right the breastplate was too loose. NOT so with some makers as you can make the running attachment much longer or much shorter.

Lastly I like how the breastplate above is attached to my girth on my mono flap and NOT the top of my saddle which one some horses can pull on the front of the saddle, not to mention the bulk up there.

[piaffeprincess98]

Agreed with bornfree. My guy has a razorblade for withers and while we're waiting for his new saddle to arrive, I've been using the elastic/leather breastplate that goes across the chest, and a leather piece that goes over the shoulders and attaches. He also likes to head flip, so I need the running martingale right now (sometimes a standing at home in the ring).

[BarbB]

It just depends on what you need. My last horse had big hulking shoulders and a hunting breastplate with an attachment worked well for him.
The horse I am working with now is narrower thru the shoulders and chest. If she needs a breastplate is will probably have to be a polo style and if she needs a martingale it will be an additional piece of equipment.

[snoopy]

for me it is often because the attachments to the breastplate do not fit my horses. They are rarely long enough and give a different feel that I don't like when they come into use. I also don't always use Y breastplate....I actually prefer the polo stye but even if I do use a Y breasplate, I don't use the attachment but put on a separate martingale.

Another reason is that the separate martingale gives you a better jump strap then a Y breastplate....or a polo breastplate.


:yes:

[PnkPanthr]

i dont like Ys for XC... ive seen D's break off and leave the breastplate dangling...SCARY. I use breastcollars..so I just have the separate martingale and i also believe it is much more mild with the attachment:)

[eqsiu]

i dont like Ys for XC... ive seen D's break off and leave the breastplate dangling...SCARY. I use breastcollars..so I just have the separate martingale and i also believe it is much more mild with the attachment:)

That's why you get the loops that go on the stirrup bars. :yes:

[rivenoak]

Why not just run the working part of the martingale thru the loop on the front of the breastplate? That's what the loop is for, after all.

This may be at the heart of the OP's question.

However, I'll buy the argument that the martingale offers a better grab strap around the neck.

[FLeckenAwesome]

so i have a question... as i just bought an attachment....

could you add a clip to it... like you know... how you add the little clip to the ends of the breastplate that attach to the Dee's so you don't have to undo the leather buckles every time... could you attach your running to a clip, and then attach that to your ring in the breastplate? that would give you a bit more length if you were just short a bit? Or is that too likely to break? though i imagine if it's safe enough for the breastplate????

do i make any sense?

[Bobthehorse]

The CWD people now make a breastplate that works like the old polo ones with less restriction and a running attachment that works so now I am all about one piece of equipment

http://www.cwdsellier.com/?currentPage=Collection&family=CM

It goes to the girth on the short girth saddles or mono flaps and I have to say I would have never uses a combo before this, it works for many of my horses

Now many of the makers have attachments that are adjustable and not just one size as someone mentioned that in order for the running to work right the breastplate was too loose. NOT so with some makers as you can make the running attachment much longer or much shorter.

Lastly I like how the breastplate above is attached to my girth on my mono flap and NOT the top of my saddle which one some horses can pull on the front of the saddle, not to mention the bulk up there.

The loops attach to ANY girth, on any saddle. Not just the monoflaps.

[Tuckertoo]

so i have a question... as i just bought an attachment....

could you add a clip to it... like you know... how you add the little clip to the ends of the breastplate that attach to the Dee's so you don't have to undo the leather buckles every time... could you attach your running to a clip, and then attach that to your ring in the breastplate? that would give you a bit more length if you were just short a bit? Or is that too likely to break? though i imagine if it's safe enough for the breastplate????

do i make any sense?

Yeah, I think I know what you mean. I've seen it done before.:yes:

[CookiePony]

flecken- yes. :cool:

The last time we had a running martingale attachment thread, Jazzy Lady pointed me to a very adjustable one from Baker's in Canada. Here is is:
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m172/CookiePony/DSC02296.jpg

[FLeckenAwesome]

yep! that clip on the end is exactly what i meant :) sweet... i haven't actually tried mine on fleck yet, so i have no idea if it will fit or not, but i figured i could add the clip and go from there. i could probably punch one hole to help too, but not any more than that....
well see ;)

[BlackCougar]

My gear of choice is catered completely to my horse's needs. A polo style breastplate with bib rings. I don't know how he does it, but he usually manages to get regular rings under my fingers, and I find the bib to work better. The breastplate I use is completely leather, with elastic inserts at the strap and a keeper type strap at the front for rings to fit into. Works like a charm for my little guy, but I just suppose it's what your horse needs. Fashion or no fashion, I like my horses to be comfortable.

[FLeckenAwesome]

so... not that anyone cares, but... after all my worries about it not fitting right and being too short and can i add the clip.... the stupid thing is TOO LONG!!! i had to tie it in a knot to get it to fit! how odd... fleck's a big guy too?! oh well.

then i found another shorter one for sale cheap at the feed store, so... now i don't have to use the knotted one ;)

like i said.... just thought it was funny that i had the opposite problem ;P

[Mudroom]

so i have a question... as i just bought an attachment....

could you add a clip to it... like you know... how you add the little clip to the ends of the breastplate that attach to the Dee's so you don't have to undo the leather buckles every time... could you attach your running to a clip, and then attach that to your ring in the breastplate? that would give you a bit more length if you were just short a bit? Or is that too likely to break? though i imagine if it's safe enough for the breastplate????

do i make any sense?

Yes, I have done that for years. It also makes it quick and easy to lead the horse after you hop off, just unclip the running from the BP. Then I clip it to the bit so it is out of the way and it is easy to lead him by the reins.