What is the purpose of a breast collar?

A breast collar is designed to prevent the saddle from slipping back on a horse. This piece of tack goes around the horse shoulders and chest area. It will stabilize the saddle allowing the rider to not have to tighten the cinch as tight. The parts of a breast collar include the breast plate, rig straps or tugs and the tie down strap or center strap. On a saddle there will be dee rings or slots on either side located on the front of the skirt that the breast collar will attach to. The tie down or center strap will go between the horses front legs and attach to the dee ring on the front cinch. Make sure when putting the breast collar on that the breast plate hits the center of the horses chest so it is balance on each side. There are adjustments on each side of the rig straps of the breast collar and this will allow it to be tightened or loosened to fit the horse properly. If the breast collar is not in the center of the horses chest it can cause it to rub which is uncomfortable for the horse and may cause a sore. You want the breast collar to be above the point of your horses shoulder so it does not constrict movement. You should be able to slide your hand under the collar. Also, make sure the tie down strap or center strap is not too tight between the horse’s front legs, you should be able to fit your hand between the strap and the horse. There are several different types of breast collars made out of different material. Leather is going to be the most popular material but they are also made of mohair, nylon, neoprene and fleece. Breast collars are one size since they can be adjusted on either side of the rig straps. If the breast collar is too large a wither strap is a great piece of tack to have. It will lift the breast collar up back up to the correct position allowing it to function properly. Breast collars can range in width from one to four inches and it depends on what you are doing with your horse to determine the type of breast collar that best fits you.