How to Use a Western Breast Collar
Cowboys and horses have roamed the wide expanses of the West for more than 200 years. The hilly terrain of the Rockies often made riding difficult and the heavy Western saddles popular with cowboys rocked and shifted backward along their horses' backs. The Western style breast collar was invented to keep the saddle in place and prevent slipping. Shaped like a large Y, the breast collar rests in the center of the horse's chest, with a strap attaching to each side of the saddle and one passing between the legs to the cinch.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Brush your horse's back thoroughly to remove dirt and debris. Any foreign object trapped between the saddle and his skin can cause irritation and might cause your horse to act out in pain.
-
2
Place the saddle pad gently behind the withers and set your saddle on top of it. Tack your horse up as you normally would, making sure the saddle is centered on his back and tightening the front and back cinches.
-
-
3
Slide the strap on the left arm of the breast collar through the D-ring on your saddle, or through the cinch ring if your saddle has no D-rings. Buckle it on the last hole to allow plenty of room for adjustment.
-
4
Walk to the right side of your horse and repeat the buckling process with the right arm of your breast collar.
-
5
Pass the lower strap between the horse's front legs and clip it to the D-ring in the center of your cinch. Check carefully to make sure the leg strap did not pick up any splinters or stickers while resting on the ground.
-
6
Adjust the straps on the breast collar for proper fit. You should be able to rest your hand flat between the breast collar and the shoulders without any rubbing or pinching, and should be able to fit four fingers between the bottom of the horse's chest and the lower strap.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Check your tack carefully for wear before each ride. Horses are very powerful animals, and even a frayed strap can break under their strength.
Never use a breast collar that is too small for your horse. Tack that is not the proper size can bite into his skin and can cause serious injury.
