Breast Collars

Hi everyone,

I have just started riding western and I was curious to know if breast collars are used to keep the saddle from sliding back? How do you know if the breast collar properly fits your horse?

Congrats! And, yes, the breast collar is used to help keep the saddle in place. If it is snug. It can't be real loose, or super tight, as that would restrict movement of the chest.

Some people ride with them all the time, others only for strenuous or 'uneven' ride like in a mountain trail or something. Hope that helps! =]

I always ride with a breastcollar, always have. Yes granted they "help" keep your saddle in place, but honestly you don't need them. If your saddle is slipping you need to check the fit of your saddle, and also your pad.

When I don't ride with a breastcollar my saddle doesn't slip. I always trail ride in one though.

Yea if I don't ride with one the saddle slips back..my horse has almost no withers and very broad shoulders...i have tried all different types of saddles and they all seem to slide back

Thanks for the advice!

This thread may help you: We talked about rear cinches, now breast collars

I use one because I ride trails with lots of hills. But simple arena work does not require one.

I always put one on just because my horse looks good in the one I have um I would recommend a three-point hook for you because you said you just started western I ride in a tripper breast collar which is really just for roping and cutting though I use it for barrels and team penning. Three points are just alot easier to fit to a horse even though a tripper would look easy they do get their name for 1 reason they tend to trip your horse alittle if they arent used to it. Can be a major problem but most of the time alittle trip isnt that bad but trippers arent for beginners.

This is a three-point hook

these are some of my trippers that I have in my tack room

Ahhh, I see what you are calling a tripper now. Have never heard that term before. I use the pulling style mostly now as I really like how they fit.

A lot of Western riders are going to the pulling type because of the way they hold the saddle in place without hampering the horse's shoulders.

What kind is this? Someone gave this to me.