My new OTTB is a bit scrawny and seems like he will need a breastplate until he fills out some. My dressage saddle fits ok with my Thinline pad, but it slips back a bit, can I show dressage with a breastplate? I will just start doing local small schooling shows in the fall, but just wondering anyway?
Yes you can do dressage with your breastplate The Pony's build necessitates one for all phases at the moment! And actually (in my opinion) makes her shoulder look a little nicer!
Breastplates are definitely allowed! Nunn Finer has a REALLY nice one: http://www.bitofbritain.com/Nunn_Fin...ate_p/0060.htm. I have this one in brown, and will probably get a black one too for my new dressage saddle. They are pretty sharp looking.
Horse, thou art truly a creature without equal, for thou fliest without wings and conquerest without sword.
Rarely will you see one in dressage because the dressage saddle sits back away from the shoulders so the saddle would have to be very ill fitted to slip back USUALLY.
If you are sure the saddle is fitting her and it's not causing her problems.... and make sure you are not keeping the saddle too forward because from a forward seat saddle to a dressage - the saddle sits back a little...
If all that is clear - go ahead and use it!~ I am just airing on caution that the saddle does fit her and also that is why you rarely see them when someone uses a dressage saddle.....
I like the Nunn Finer breastplates, especially for jumping. If you want something a little finer for dressage, or just want something more refined, Bobby's makes a nice one too. Just make sure whatever you get has adjustable shoulder straps. So many less-expensive ones (even some nice ones!) aren't adjustable on the shoulder, and it really limits how they fit.
Failure is always an option*
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*As long as you figure out what you f'ed up and fix it! -Me
Rarely will you see one in dressage because the dressage saddle sits back away from the shoulders so the saddle would have to be very ill fitted to slip back USUALLY.
If you are sure the saddle is fitting her and it's not causing her problems.... and make sure you are not keeping the saddle too forward because from a forward seat saddle to a dressage - the saddle sits back a little...
If all that is clear - go ahead and use it!~ I am just airing on caution that the saddle does fit her and also that is why you rarely see them when someone uses a dressage saddle.....
good point- thank you for your input. The saddle fits "ok" accordiing to a couple of trainers/coaches that should be in the know, but you're right, saddle fit is very important. It's just that he's such a skinny mini right now that it seems like the saddle slips back a bit and looks uncomfortable. Sable doesn't seem to be in any discomfort. I'm trying to fatten him up, the grass is coming in so that should help. I don't want to have the saddle professionally fitted until he's gained a little weight and gotten more fit himself.
Breastplates
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The Pony's build necessitates one for all phases at the moment! And actually (in my opinion) makes her shoulder look a little nicer!
Now owned by The $700 Pony 
Originally Posted by Joannie Jumper
