Martingales & Breastplates

Want to prevent your horse from lifting its head too far back? Then martingales and a correct Breastplate are a good place to start. At Unamari, we develop, design and produce breastplates and martingales for horses and ponies in the Horse Guard and Catago brands. That's why you'll find the full range of breastplates and martingales from these two well-known brands exclusively on this site.

What is a breastplate?

A Breastplate is a piece of riding equipment used on the horse or pony, especially in the disciplines of Jumping and Military. The breastplate is a piece of harness that is attached to the sides of the saddle and between the horse's front legs to the Girth or jumping plate. The purpose of a Breastplate is to provide stability so that the saddle stays in place, even during jumping and cross-country riding. In particular, a Breastplate prevents the saddle from sliding back.

What is a 5-point breastplate?

A 5-point breastplate is a breastplate that is designed to clamp onto the saddle in two places on each side and between the horse's forelegs, providing even more stability than a regular breastplate in cases where this is desirable.

What is a martingale?

A Martingale is like a breastplate placed on the horse's bring. While the breastplate's primary function is to prevent the saddle from sliding back, a martingale's primary function is to prevent the horse from throwing its head up inappropriately high. This is possible due to so-called martingale straps, which are mounted in the middle of the horse's brisket and end in a ring on each side, which the rein must pass through.

This can be seen both as a safety aspect, as with a martingale the horse cannot hit its head on the rider's head, but the martingale can also provide the rider and horse with extra support at the front, and help to stay in the frame around the arena.

TIP: If you are a rider and want to ride out in the countryside, a running martingale can be an appropriate piece of riding equipment to invest in for this purpose. It is easy to attach to your bridle and saddle, and gives you a little extra support and safety on the ride.

Why ride with a martingale?

A martingale prevents the horse from throwing its head inappropriately high in the air, which can be useful for several reasons, especially when jumping or trail riding. When the horse throws its head up, possibly at the same time as the rider is sitting in a light seat, with the upper body slightly above the horse's neck, the horse's head can hit the rider's and, in the worst case, give such a hard blow that it is painful for the rider. With a martingale, the horse is guided in a frame without being locked in, which can give both horse and rider confidence when the pace is high and the adrenaline is pumping.

What is the difference between martingale and breastplate?

Both the martingale and breastplate are tightened between the horse's front legs to the girth. The breastplate attaches to the saddle in different ways, as do some types of martingales. Other martingales are tightened around the horse's neck. The main difference between the two, however, is that while the breastplate's function is to prevent the saddle from sliding back, the martingale is connected to the reins and has the function described above.

How should a breastplate and martingale fit?

It's very important that your breastplate or martingale is neither too loose nor too tight on the horse. If it's fitted too loosely, the riding gear will not work as intended and inappropriate situations can arise if a breastplate or martingale hangs. Conversely, a breastplate or martingale that is too tight will be uncomfortable for the horse and can, in the worst case, gnaw or cause injury.

A breastplate should fit close to the horse's body without pinching. The straps should follow the horse's movements naturally and the center piece of the girth should sit centrally without pulling the saddle forward. You should be able to insert a few fingers between the breastplate and the horse's skin all the way around.

A martingale should be adjusted so that the rings just reach the horse's palate when the head is held in the normal position. If the martingale is too long it will lose its function and if it is too short it will prevent the horse from moving its head freely. Also remember to check that the neck strap and breastplate are even and do not twist while riding.

Find the right breastplate and martingale for your pony

We don't forget the little ones. Here at Unamari you'll of course find both breastplates and martingales for ponies. Ponies can also throw their heads back too far, which can be a problem for young riders. However, size is super important for ponies too. As a general rule, we recommend:

• Cat. I ponies will use size cob.
• Cat. II ponies will fluctuate between pony or cob depending on whether it's a slender or more muscular pony.
• Cat. III ponies will use size pony.

Large selection of high-quality martingales and breastplates

A good breastplate or martingale is not only a practical tool, but also an important part of your horse's comfort and safety. The quality of materials and fit have a big impact on how the equipment functions in daily use.

Lambskin for martingale and breastplate

Lambskin is often used as an extra soft and protective layer where the equipment is close to the horse's skin. This can be beneficial for horses with delicate coats, thin skin or those that have been clipped. Especially during the winter months, when many horses wear rugs, the skin can become more sensitive to friction. Lambskin reduces pressure points, prevents chafing and increases comfort.

Accessories for martingale and breastplate

Even if a breastplate or martingale is properly fitted, it's important to remember the right accessories. For example, martingale stoppers should always be used on the reins so that the rings from the martingale cannot slip up and get caught in the Bit. In addition, small details such as buckles, straps and stop rings can be regularly checked and replaced to ensure that the equipment remains safe and functional in use.

Reflective breastplates

Reflexes on breastplates and other riding equipment are a simple but very effective way to increase visibility - especially during the dark months or when riding at dusk. A breastplate with reflexes makes both horse and rider much more visible to drivers and other road users, significantly improving safety. It is therefore a good investment if you often ride outdoors during periods of limited daylight.

Buy your breastplate at Unamari

We are home to Catago and Horse Guard has more than 20 years of experience in the development and design of riding clothes and riding equipment. As riders ourselves and horse lovers ourselves, we've been in situations where horses want to put their heads way back while riding. You can therefore be sure to find the best quality breastplate and martingale for both Jumping and Eventing. We sell martingale and breastplate from Catago and Horse Guard, which many riders prefer as the equipment creates good balance and control for both training and professional equestrian sports.