Oak Grove Leather Works Report post Posted February 5, 2013 I have been making holsters and knife sheathed for several years, so I have some basic techniques down, but horse tack is new to me. A customer wants a tooled and painted breasted collar and I need some advice on construction and leather selection. The tooling means veggie tan strap leather, but I am concerned about the strength of the piece. Left to my own ignorance, I would sew the tooled leather on to a layer of 10 oz bridle leather to give strength and thickness. Also, is there a standard/ recommended width for breasted collars? Links to measurements of any tack would be appreciated. I now live in a horse area and can see more of this work coming up. Thanks! - STEVE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Randy valensin Report post Posted February 19, 2013 I use 11/13 oz hermann oak skirting leather and back it with 5/6 oz skirting. It is probaly ideal to back it with latigo since the horses sweat excessivley in this area but when you are tooling one it looks nicer if you tool the flaps that go through the dee's so i use hermann oak skirting on the back as well. As far as the size goes i dont think theres any set sizes and i dont happen to have any made up right now or i would measure one for you but many times when i need a size or pattern i will just go to a tack store and start measuring and drawing patterns i like. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted February 19, 2013 I always make each side around 16 inches long finished. That's not counting D rings. Tugs / straps 23 inches long to start with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oak Grove Leather Works Report post Posted February 21, 2013 I use 11/13 oz hermann oak skirting leather and back it with 5/6 oz skirting. It is probaly ideal to back it with latigo since the horses sweat excessivley in this area but when you are tooling one it looks nicer if you tool the flaps that go through the dee's so i use hermann oak skirting on the back as well. As far as the size goes i dont think theres any set sizes and i dont happen to have any made up right now or i would measure one for you but many times when i need a size or pattern i will just go to a tack store and start measuring and drawing patterns i like. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oak Grove Leather Works Report post Posted February 21, 2013 Thanks. I got the Tandy pattern pack which gave some insight. I also went to Tractor Supply and took some pictures of a nice Weaver breast collar. I'm going to make one, put it on a horse and adjust fire from there. The Tandy pattern came with a halter and bridle pattern. I made the halter and the strap lengths were way off. It gave me something to start with, though. I can salvage the hardware, anyway. Such is the learning process. I always make each side around 16 inches long finished. That's not counting D rings. Tugs / straps 23 inches long to start with. That sounds good I'm going to try to make one this weekend. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted February 21, 2013 (edited) Make a pattern out of poster board with all the D rings on it and hold it up on your horse just to check before you cut leather to check your fit. Edited February 21, 2013 by dirtclod Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
