Fitting a breast collar

[pasohappy]

Need some info on breast collar. on how snug, I know where you place it, so you don't constrict there leg shoulder movement, or their breathing, but just need to know how snug for the adjustment.
I can't find anything on breast collar fitting on the computor :compbash

[ErinC]

I put mine so that it is at the same angle of the shoulder, and not to snug.
because it will rub. I guess if you can fit your fist under it so that if your saddle DOES slip back, then it will come into play!

this I think is to low.
http://www.cowboyshowcase.com/images/gear/bc.jpg
this is a better angle but it looks tight
http://www.snowcanyonoutfitters.com/Gem_Breastcollar_R.jpg
found this.
A breast collar is helpful in stabilizing your saddle especially for mountain and trail riding. In fact, if you had a cinch break, you would be best to ride with a tight back cinch and a breast collar and you would have very little problems finishing your ride. A breast collar that is not adjusted properly is useless and can cause sores instead. The rule of thumb is that your breast collar should be tight enough so that you can stick your hand in the front of it and by pulling ahead, can get only about 2" of slack. If it is too loose, it cannot do its job and instead may end up dropping over the point of the shoulder and causing rubs, sores or a bursitis. It's not uncommon to see ill-adjusted breast collars on the trail. There are various shapes of breast collars available and some will work for one animal but not the other. Make sure that the breast collar you use on your horse or mule sets above the point of his shoulder but not so high that it cuts off his wind. Each critter will require personal attention to fitting, according to their build.

[pasohappy]

Thanks P3, that information quote is what I needed, looks like I had it right but need to snug it up a bit. Thanks again, I knew if I asked on there I would get a good reply. :D

[pasorider]

We always use the Australian style breast collar. I don't like the western ones, as they tend to rub and gald the horse. Once my husband had his adjusted for our gray mare, then rode our black mare who is bigger. He didn't take this in account and when we started up a hill, the mare stopped, whirled around and went back down, We couldn't make her go up it. Finally, after much prodding, we got her half way up the mountain and she did it again, this time whirling and off the trail and into a tree cutting my husbands hand wide open. When he got off her and I inspected her, the breast collar was to tight, and when going uphill, it was cutting off her air. She couldn't breath and that was why she was acting that way. After bandaging my husband up and adjusting the breast collar we rode on and she never refused a hill again. My husband ended up with several stitches and a lesson learned on readjusting tack when riding different horses.

[CarolU]

To me, it depends on if you are using a breast collar to be pretty, or wearing one to really use it. For using, the position in the first picture is correct. The collar should be over the shoulder bones, below the V at the neck tie-in. This is so the weight is actually over the shoulders themselves and not on the breast bone. Being lower then the V, you stand no chance of cutting off the horse's airway as they lean into the mountain to climb.

Something that wasn't said in that quote that should have is that if you have a breast collar on, you don't have to tighten your saddle quite so tight, and this also makes it easier for the horse to breath.

The position in the second picture is more what I'd call 'for show' since it is above the shoulder bones and any pressue would be on over the breast more then the shoulders. This doesn't help the horse in anyway.

For using, wider is better and if you are going to do a lot, then get real wool fleece or felt to line it with.

If you put yourself in your horse's place, would you rather have a nice wide and well padded strap on your 200 lb purse, or a thin narrow one?