PS of Sweden Three-point Breastplate Review

I have been regularly using the PS of Sweden Three-point breastplate for well over six months now. I have it in cob size, black leather with silver hardware. The brown was out of stock when I ordered, but seems to be in stock now … In a few words: I love this breastplate.

The PS of Sweden cob size is a generous cob, and seems to fit Eli, a typical American TB, fairly well. I am certain the full size would be too big because Eli is narrow. Had he broader shoulders, a full would fit. So keep your horse’s build in mind when ordering, as with any piece of tack.

The leather is not of French butter status, but the quality for the price is quite exceptional. The leather is also wearing incredibly well–it doesn’t look like it is aging at all, although I vaguely remember that being the case with other black leather strap goods I owned eons ago. It came with a running attachment that I used for a while, but then decided I could no longer adjust it to where I wanted it set for Eli, so went back to using a separate piece of equipment. It is a bit short for him, although the full size attachment may be longer.

This is also a good time point out that if you do choose to use the running attachment, be sure to use the PS of Sweden rein stops with it. Because of the shape of the snap on martingale rings on PS of Sweden running martingales, regular rein stops will NOT stop the rings from potentially interfering with the bit–the PS of Sweden ones are larger and properly stop the rings. And if you use a running martingale without using rein stops, don’t talk to me.

Overall, I am extremely happy with this breastplate, and it makes an excellent economical alternative to the pricier CWD three-point that is extremely popular right now. I am even considering pick up the brown one for shows.

On three-points generally, I have found that I greatly prefer them over the more traditional hunt style breastplates that snap to the saddle dees. I discovered that with Eli, breastplates that snapped to the saddle dees torqued my saddle forward and down after a session of jumping, which is quite frankly beyond unacceptable. With the three points, they attach to three points of the girth and seem less likely to shift the saddle and create excess pressure in one area instead of allowing the pressure from the weight of the rider in the saddle to be more evenly distributed (even that is impossible, but why knowingly cause a problem with a piece of equipment?). However, depending on the build of your horse and your saddle’s fit, you may not encounter this problem.

In other news, Conrad is doing well! His little flippy ears are the cutest.

Eli is also doing well; his heel is healing up, and the rings should be dry enough for me to ride him again tonight.