No matter what discipline of horse riding you do, a breastplate or martingale are essential pieces of equipment to complete your tack set.

A breastplate or martingale helps to secure the saddle in place and prevent it from slipping backwards. It is typically made of leather or synthetic materials and consists of a strap that runs across the horse’s chest and connects to the girth or saddle. Depending on if you have a martingale or a breastplate they connect at different points. 

With a high quality range of brands such as Lumiere, Kentaur, Top Rail, Jeremy and Lord, Zilco, Toowoomba and more, you are sure to find what you are after at EQ Saddlery. 

What does a breastplate or martingale do?

A horse breastplate or running martingale has a few different purposes. 

• It can assist in holding the saddle in the correct position whilst riding and stop the saddle from sliding backwards - popularly used when jumping. 
• Allows the rider to have more support when riding horses that have big shoulders 

There are different styles of breastplates which are explained below. 

Breastplates come in a variety of styles including a 3 point breastplate and 5 point breastplate. 3 point breastplates connect at 3 different points whereas 5 point breastplates connect at 5 different points. It is important to properly fit a breastplate to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness. A poorly fitting breastplate can cause discomfort, rubbing and restricted movement for your horse. It is best to consult a knowledgeable horse person to ensure that your breastplate or martingale is properly fitted to your horse. 

To complement EQ Saddlery’s extensive range of top quality breastplates and martingales, we have a range of premium saddlery including bridles, saddles, girths, halter and lead sets, ear bonnets and more.