What is breastplate used for?
Noah Mitchell
Published Jan 24, 2026
A breastplate or chestplate is a device worn over the torso to protect it from injury, as an item of religious significance, or as an item of status. A breastplate is sometimes worn by mythological beings as a distinctive item of clothing.
What is a breastplate used for horse?
A breastplate (used interchangeably with breastcollar, breaststrap and breastgirth) is a piece of riding equipment used on horses. Its purpose is to keep the saddle or harness from sliding back.
How do I know if my horse needs a breastplate?
Most horses that use a breastplate do so because of their conformation, their job, or the need to help their rider stay put in the saddle. Large shoulders and narrow ribs can force a saddle to slip back no matter how tight the girth is. Your horse's job often dictates the need for a breastplate.
Do you need a breastplate for jumping?
Many event horses wear an eventing breastplate for work, particularly when they are jumping at home or in competitions. Riders may choose to use a breastplate for a number of reasons, including most obviously to ensure the saddle does not slip back, and there are many different sorts on the market.
What is a 3 point breastplate used for?
The 3 Point Breastplate - also known as the Hunting Breastplate - provides saddle stability, attached via the girth and D-rings; this is particularly useful in eventing or jumping.
44 related questions foundWhat is a breastplate in the Bible?
The second piece of the armor of God that Paul discusses in Ephesians 6 is the breastplate of righteousness. In the armor of a Roman soldier, the breastplate served as protection for some of the most important parts of the body. Underneath the breastplate is the heart, lungs and other organs necessary for life.
Why do horses wear breast collars?
What is the Purpose of a Breast Collar on a Horse? Also referred to as a "breastplate," a Western breast collar is a device specifically designed to keep your saddle from sliding back off of your horse. As a result, it helps keep you in place as your horse powers through tough maneuvers.
How do you put a breastplate on a horse?
The breastplate neckstrap should sit on the shoulder line, behind the neck. The base of the neckstrap should be positioned centrally at the lowest point of the neck and highest part of the chest. One hands width should fit between the top of the horse's neck and the breastplate neckstrap.
Can you use a breastplate in dressage?
6. Breastplates and cruppers. A breastplate and/or crupper may be used. Exception: a breastplate is prohibited in USEF High Performance Championships, USEF High Performance Qualifying and Selection Trials.
Will a breastplate stop my saddle slipping?
BREASTPLATE FOR SAFETY
The breastplace prevents saddle from slipping back on horse. But be sure it fits: snug enough not to catch a hoof when jumping and not too tight to cut into the horse's muscles.
What does a 5 point breastplate do?
A five-point breastplate will help the user in keeping the girth more forward, preventing it from the probability of slipping back. The 5 point design will naturally distribute the pressure over a larger area than a breastplate with just a couple of points of contact.
Why would a horse need a martingale?
A martingale is a piece of equestrian tack designed to control a horse's head carriage and act as an additional form of control besides, for example, the bit. It prevents a horse from throwing its head so high that the rider gets hit in the face by the horse's poll or upper neck.
What is a dressage breastplate?
A versatile breastplate that can be used to stabilise your dressage saddle from slipping and can also be used for jumping (Michael Jung uses a similar shape XC). Gel padded through the chest and wither so even the most sensitive skinned horse won't rub. Designed in a classic and fashionable raised leather style.
Why does my saddle keep slipping back?
Saddle fit and girth type are likely to be the main causes for your saddle sliding back when riding. It is more likely the saddle is too wide rather than too narrow for it to slide back.
How tight should breast collar?
A well fitting breast collar should have the arms lie right above the point of the shoulder. But don't make it too tight either! The center strap (which connects to the cinch) should not be loose, but comfortably snug and stabilize the breast collar.
What is the back of the saddle called?
Cantle: The back of the saddle that gently curves upwards for backward seat support. Twist: The “twist” is the part of the saddle tree that sits just below the pommel in front of the “seat” of the saddle (circled in the image). This is a part of the saddle that determines how the saddle sits between the rider's legs.
What is the difference between a cinch and a girth?
In context|informal|lang=en terms the difference between cinch and girth. is that cinch is (informal) a firm hold while girth is (informal) one's waistline circumference, most often a large one.
What is the purpose of a wither strap?
Wither straps are used to lift the breast collar above the point of the horse's shoulder, for unrestricted movement. Snaps on either end and adjustable buckles make installation easy.
What is a tripping collar used for?
Tripping Collars have a contoured 3in wide shape to help distribute pressure over a larger area of the horses chest without restricting shoulder movement. Style popular with Roping.
What do the 12 stones on the breastplate represent?
Specifically, the breastplate was to contain twelve precious gemstones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. In the Hebrew Bible version, a different gemstone is listed for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.
What is another word for breastplate?
Synonyms for breastplate in English
cuirass; armour; breastplate; armor; aegis; egis.