How Long Should This Strap Be Please

[JLD]

Hi,

I have a customer that wants me to make a strap like the one in the picture circled to go over her horses neck from one breastcollar ring to the other. She has no idea on size. Can someone please tell me roughly how long this should be please.

Johanne

[dirtclod]

Have her measure it on the horse.

[keplerts]

That is called a wither strap. And I would be interested in knowing what the "normal" length is tip-to-tip before the buckles are added.

[JLD]

They must come in some sort of standard length as they are sold on breastcollars as in the illustration. I just have no idea how long to make one. Anyone out there got one they can measure for me please.

Johanne

[Thor]

The one pictured is basically made like a chin strap. Other than a chin strap the use of a wither strap is questionable. This search offers some samples https://www.google.de/search?q=wither+strap&client=ubuntu&espv=2&biw=1314&bih=818&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIwJrGyde3yAIVpphyCh0Png1K

Now, before making that strap and of course it has to be left to the customer, the only purpose of this strap is to raise the breast collar straps with none custom made breast collars or not really fitting ones. This being said, the strap may cause irritation, skin irritation as well as pressure to the withers if fitted too tight or once the pressure occurs. If it would be my customer I'd suggest a custom fitted breast collar or fit the current one properly for her.

My humble opinion, and it pretty much applies to all gimmicks, if you need one, there's something not right and it's better to fix the cause than making a band-aid fix and causing another problem.

Problem here can be explained with simple physics. A breast collar's purpose is to hold the saddle in place and prevent it from sliding back. So there's a direct force to the breast muscles once the rider comes off balance or in some tight and fast turns, as well as with roping. If one attaches a wither strap it will act like a anchor. Some of the force that is intended to be carried by the breast muscles will be forced onto the wither, which we actually try to avoid.

Now to your actual question. The strap has to free up the shoulders from the breast collar straps, which can cause irritation to the horse when moving fast. You see that if the breast collar fits, this strap isn't needed at all. But to make the strap the correct length, have her attach a rope to the rings and raise the straps to the right height and measure that distance.

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

I'm with Dirtclod. . . she needs to get the measurement with the breastcollar on her horse. I made one 20 years before they became popular (again) to use on drop dee saddles that had no breastcollar dee. The collars would drop down over the point of the shoulder because the point of

attachment was too low. It is a fad now to use one whether needed or not, as a place to put "Bling", inlays, quotes, etc on. Just extra junk if you don't need it. A lot of truth to what Thor says. It transfers force to a point right in front of the withers through incorrect fit of the breastcollar and point of attachment. If it doesn't, it means that it isn't needed. Folks tend to follow a fad without thinking about whether it is needed for their situation.

[JLD]

Thank you all for your imput. She just wants one becuase "they look nice" so I have had her measure and it is between 12" - 18" inclusing snap, in case anyone else is going to make one. I did pass on the comments about pressure etc that you have raised but it falls on deaf ears. I guess it will have to start rubbing the mane before she will think of that.

What can you do ....people

Thanks for your help.

Johanne

[Goldshot Ron]

Johanne,

I've made three of these collars in the last couple of years. The average adjusted length is about 12 inches. I make mine 1 inch wide with a Conway buckle on one end and a halter buckle on the on-side. I've heard of no manes being rubbed off, but that would be a legitimate concern.

Ron