Premier Equine Breastplates & Martingales
Choose a running martingale for jumping and everyday schooling, a standing or bib martingale for a horse that throws its head, and a breastplate or breastgirth to stop the saddle sliding back on hills and cross-country. This collection holds 10 Premier Equine pieces in black and brown, from the £9.90 Esperia Irish Martingale up to the £147.60 Invorio 5 Point Breastplate, with most styles offered in Cob and Full.
In a hurry?
- Jumping and general riding: Premier Equine Fuscaldo Running Martingale — from £45.00.
- Head-tossing under saddle: Premier Equine Gressan Standing Martingale — from £39.60.
- Extra face protection: Premier Equine Rosello Bib Martingale — from £57.60.
- Saddle slipping back: Premier Equine Norbello Hunter Breastplate — from £108.00.
- Maximum shoulder freedom: Premier Equine Invorio 5 Point Breastplate — from £147.60.
- Smallest budget: Premier Equine Esperia Irish Martingale — from £9.90.
Which Premier Equine martingale or breastplate should I buy?
| Style | Best for | Product | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running martingale | Jumping, schooling, hacking — acts on the reins only when the head comes up | Fuscaldo Running Martingale | £45.00 |
| Adjustable running martingale | Sharing one martingale across horses, or fine-tuning the fit | Santadi Adjustable Running Martingale | £46.80 |
| Standing martingale | Head-tossing; attaches to the noseband rather than the reins | Gressan Standing Martingale | £39.60 |
| Bib martingale | Horses that grab or get a leg over the martingale straps | Rosello Bib Martingale | £57.60 |
| Irish martingale | Keeping the reins together over a fence — no head control | Esperia Irish Martingale | £9.90 |
| Hunter breastplate | Classic neck-strap design for hunting, hacking and hilly ground | Norbello Hunter Breastplate | £108.00 |
| Elastic jumping breastplate | Showjumping and eventing where you want give in the straps | Baressa Elastic Jumping Breastplate | £90.00 |
| Performance breastplate | Everyday competition use with a shaped, padded fit | Valbrona Performance Breastplate | £115.20 |
| 5 point breastplate | Cross-country and fast work — five anchor points spread the load | Invorio 5 Point Breastplate | £147.60 |
| Elastic breastgirth | Low-profile option that sits clear of the wither and shoulder | Zimella Elastic Breastgirth | £54.00 |
What does a martingale actually do?
A martingale sets a limit on how high your horse can carry its head, so a sudden lift doesn't take the bit out of position and leave you with no steering. It is a schooling aid, not a fix — it works alongside correct flatwork, a well-fitting bridle and a bit your horse is comfortable in. Fitted correctly it should sit quietly and only come into play at the moment the head goes above the point of control.
An Irish martingale is the odd one out: the £9.90 Esperia Irish Martingale is a short leather strap with two rings that simply stops the reins flipping over the horse's head after a fence. It gives no head control at all.
Running or standing — which is right for my horse?
A running martingale, such as the £45.00 Fuscaldo Running Martingale, works through rings on the reins, so pressure comes from your hand and releases the moment you soften. It is the usual choice for jumping and is permitted in many jumping and cross-country classes. The £46.80 Santadi Adjustable Running Martingale adds adjustment at the neck strap, which is handy if the same martingale moves between horses.
A standing martingale, such as the £39.60 Gressan Standing Martingale, runs from the girth to the noseband and acts on the nose regardless of your hand. It is more direct, so it suits a confirmed head-tosser but should never be fitted to a drop, flash or grackle noseband. Always check your discipline's rules before competing, as standing martingales are not allowed everywhere.
A bib martingale, such as the £57.60 Rosello Bib Martingale, is a running martingale with a leather triangle filling the gap between the two straps. Choose it for a horse that plays with the straps or has managed to get a foreleg through them.
Do I need a breastplate or a breastgirth?
Both do the same job — they stop the saddle sliding backwards — but they attach differently. A breastplate has a neck strap and sits over the shoulders, while a breastgirth is a simple band across the chest with no neck strap.
- Norbello Hunter Breastplate, from £108.00 — the traditional three-point shape for hunting, hacking and hill work.
- Baressa Elastic Jumping Breastplate, from £90.00 — elastic sections give as the horse stretches over a fence.
- Valbrona Performance Breastplate, from £115.20 — a shaped, padded option for regular competition.
- Invorio 5 Point Breastplate, from £147.60 — attaches at the girth, both sides of the saddle and between the front legs, spreading the pull for cross-country and fast work.
- Zimella Elastic Breastgirth, from £54.00 — a lower-profile band for riders who prefer nothing over the wither.
If your saddle creeps back on steep ground, or your horse is narrow through the shoulder and lacks a defined wither, a breastplate is the sensible starting point. It is not a substitute for a properly fitted saddle — if the saddle is moving on the flat as well, get it checked by a qualified fitter first.
How do I get the size and fit right?
Most pieces in this collection come in Cob and Full; the Zimella Elastic Breastgirth and Esperia Irish Martingale are listed in Full. Cob suits most 14.2hh to 15.2hh horses and finer types, while Full covers the majority of 15.2hh and above. If your horse sits between the two, the straps on each piece give a useful range of adjustment.
- Running martingale: with the rings drawn up towards the wither, they should reach roughly the level of the horse's withers, so the rein line stays straight when the head is carried normally.
- Standing martingale: you should be able to push the strap up into the horse's gullet, to the underside of the throat, with the head in a natural position.
- Neck strap: leave room for a hand's width flat against the horse's neck — too tight restricts the shoulder, too loose lets the strap swing.
- Breastplate: the chest section should sit clear of the point of the shoulder so the horse can stretch its foreleg fully forward.
Black or brown, and how do I look after the leather?
Every style here is offered in black and brown, so you can match your existing bridle and saddle rather than mixing shades. Stock varies by size and colour combination, so check the product page for what is available right now.
Wipe the leather down after each ride, clean and condition it regularly, and pay particular attention to the folds around buckles and the elastic sections, where sweat collects. Check stitching and buckle holes before every fast or jumping session — martingales and breastplates are load-bearing, and worn stitching is worth catching early.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a running and a standing martingale?
A running martingale, like the £45.00 Fuscaldo Running Martingale, passes through rings on the reins, so it only acts when you take a contact and releases as soon as you soften. A standing martingale, like the £39.60 Gressan Standing Martingale, attaches directly to the noseband and limits head height regardless of your hand. Running martingales are the more common choice for jumping; standing martingales are more direct and are not permitted in every discipline, so check the rules for your class.
Do I need a breastplate for my horse?
A breastplate helps if your saddle slides backwards on hills, over fences or during fast work, or if your horse is narrow through the shoulder without a defined wither. The £108.00 Norbello Hunter Breastplate is the classic option, while the £147.60 Invorio 5 Point Breastplate spreads the load across five anchor points for cross-country. If the saddle also moves on flat ground, have the saddle fit checked first — a breastplate should never be used to hold a poorly fitting saddle in place.
Which size should I order, Cob or Full?
Most items in this collection are offered in Cob and Full. Cob generally suits horses around 14.2hh to 15.2hh and finer-built types, while Full covers most horses from around 15.2hh upwards. The Zimella Elastic Breastgirth and Esperia Irish Martingale are listed in Full. If your horse falls between sizes, the adjustment on the straps usually covers the gap — if you are unsure, get in touch and our team will help.
Can I use a standing martingale with a flash or grackle noseband?
No. A standing martingale must attach to a cavesson noseband that sits above the bit, so the pressure is taken on the solid part of the nose. Fitting one to a drop, flash or grackle noseband puts pressure low on the nostrils and can interfere with the horse's breathing. If you ride in a flash or grackle, use a running or bib martingale instead.
What does a bib martingale do that a running martingale does not?
A bib martingale, such as the £57.60 Rosello Bib Martingale, is a running martingale with a leather panel filling the triangle between the two straps. It works in exactly the same way, but the solid bib stops a horse grabbing at the straps with its teeth or getting a foreleg through them. It is a sensible choice for playful youngsters and for horses that have already managed it once.
What is the cheapest option in this collection?
The Premier Equine Esperia Irish Martingale starts at £9.90. It is a short leather strap with two rings that keeps the reins together over a fence — it does not control head carriage. For actual head control on a budget, the Gressan Standing Martingale starts at £39.60 and the Fuscaldo Running Martingale starts at £45.00.
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Last reviewed 2026-07-24 by the Just Horse Riders team.