Making A Breastcollar

[BarrelPony]

Hello there! I'm looking into making myself a breastcollar. The problem is, I don't want to make any more then at the most two. What cut is the best to be long enough to make a few, without buying the whole cow? I don't want to buy a lot of leather I might not use!

What kind of leather do you guys recommend using? I was thinking saddle skirting, as it sounds durable. Is 10-12 oz. good? Also, would I want to use a different kind of leather on the back, like latigo (I've heard that's what some people do as it is sweat resistant), or could I get away with just backing it with what ever I decide to use on the front? What about the straps, I would think they would have to be made of a thinner more flexible leather, but I'm not sure.

I can't think of any more questions now. Thanks so much in advance!

[BarrelPony]

Any thoughts?

[Equiplay Saddlery]

BarrelPony,

10 - 12 oz Veg tan will be fine for the breast collar. It's what I use and I line it with latigo. Make the straps out of the same veg tan but you don't have to line them. They need to be strong but you need to be able to bend them around the d rings. Depending on how wide you want the breast collar you may be able to just order belt blanks and use them instead of a large hide. It would give you a little experience with making something without spending a lot of money.

[BarrelPony]

Thanks so much for the reply Equiplay Saddlery!

How thick of latigo do you use? For the straps, wouldn't you want to go with a thinner leather so it buckles and bends easy?

I really like the belt blanks idea, I will look into doing that. Do they make latigo leather belt blanks? Where do you buy your veg tan and latigo leather?

Thanks again for the reply!

Edited December 16, 2015 by BarrelPony

[Equiplay Saddlery]

Thanks so much for the reply Equiplay Saddlery!

How thick of latigo do you use? For the straps, wouldn't you want to go with a thinner leather so it buckles and bends easy?

I really like the belt blanks idea, I will look into doing that. Do they make latigo leather belt blanks? Where do you buy your veg tan and latigo leather?

Thanks again for the reply!

I get my leather from Weaver (Hermann Oak) or Wickett and Craig directly. I use 6-7 oz Latigo as a liner. The straps need to be strong so I leave them 10-12 oz. That is where all of the pull and wear will take place so you don't want it too thin. You should be able to get latigo blanks but I've never really looked for them. The straps will be NARROWER than the breast collar but the same thickness of veg tan. Good luck with it. You may be about to be bitten by the leather working bug.

[BarrelPony]

I get my leather from Weaver (Hermann Oak) or Wickett and Craig directly. I use 6-7 oz Latigo as a liner. The straps need to be strong so I leave them 10-12 oz. That is where all of the pull and wear will take place so you don't want it too thin. You should be able to get latigo blanks but I've never really looked for them. The straps will be NARROWER than the breast collar but the same thickness of veg tan. Good luck with it. You may be about to be bitten by the leather working bug.

Thanks! Since you seem to know a lot about tack, what thickness and kind of leather do you recommend for a headstall, and do you line yours with latigo?

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Pretty much what Equiplay has said will get you through. I keep a side of 9/10 oz ladigo on hand and use it for a lot of different stuff, but; when it needs to be thinner, I split it to the thickness I want. As for bridles and such, the same materials are good to use. Ladigo lined veg-tanned skirting makes a really nice headstall. You can use veg-tanned both sides, and that is fine, but; I like the ladigo on the back side It gives you a nicer "feel", and I believe better durability.

Bob

[BarrelPony]

Pretty much what Equiplay has said will get you through. I keep a side of 9/10 oz ladigo on hand and use it for a lot of different stuff, but; when it needs to be thinner, I split it to the thickness I want. As for bridles and such, the same materials are good to use. Ladigo lined veg-tanned skirting makes a really nice headstall. You can use veg-tanned both sides, and that is fine, but; I like the ladigo on the back side It gives you a nicer "feel", and I believe better durability.

Bob

Thanks for the reply Bob! Is vegetable tanned skirting different then just vegetable tanned leather?

[Equiplay Saddlery]

Pretty much what Equiplay has said will get you through. I keep a side of 9/10 oz ladigo on hand and use it for a lot of different stuff, but; when it needs to be thinner, I split it to the thickness I want. As for bridles and such, the same materials are good to use. Ladigo lined veg-tanned skirting makes a really nice headstall. You can use veg-tanned both sides, and that is fine, but; I like the ladigo on the back side It gives you a nicer "feel", and I believe better durability.

Bob

I couldn't agree more Bob. Although for my personal bridles I'm kind of old school and like to use plain simple working gear. All of my using gear is made of heavy harness leather. No tooling, conchos, dyes, etc....

Thanks for the reply Bob! Is vegetable tanned skirting different then just vegetable tanned leather?

There are different types of veg tan. If you want to tool it then make sure you ask for skirting or tooling leather. The supplier should be able to help you choose the right stuff. Just ask.

Danny

[Apacheleatherworker]

I'm going to be making my own western horse breast Collar. Now I'm going to use a 12 to 13 oz weight or saddle skirting. It's going to be a full side. Now my question is, What is the best part of the hide to use in making my western horse breast Collar? Any other tips or advice will be appreciated as well.