Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
Sensation makes a breast plate specifically sized for Icelandics. There's a lot of variation in Icelandic sizes. Since most breastcollars have a good bit of adjustability, most of mine do pretty well in "arab" sizes, although some of the larger ones can use "horse" size - only, like Penny said, with plenty of room to grow. I heard somewhere that there's a new Zilco size that's much bigger than the older size - from what I heard, it must be more like warmblood or even draft sized. Thus, be sure to ask before you order a Zilco. That Zilco that Janice uses was at the smaller end of its adjustment for Tivar - plenty of "growth" room - and it sounds Trausti needs a similar size. I use an "Arab" sized (from Moss Rock) on Tivar, that I can adjust down to fit Sina and Melnir. I'd say that's the best size to try at first. There seems normally to be some overlap in "Arab" and "Horse" sizes by most makers. A lot of the tack makers who make custom leather and/or biothane will customize your sizes for very little or even no extra cost. I believe that Dana will for the Sensation accessories, and Lisa at Moss Rock will too. Karen Thomas, NC
Re: Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
Oh good thought. Two of the gals who work for Action Rider (Mary and Julie) are endurance friends and come out to ride all the time. I'll set them on it and yes I'd love a picture if it's not too much trouble. Nancy
[IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
Sensation makes a breast plate specifically sized for Icelandics. Kaaren
[IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
>>Break strength & snaps<<< Yes, I thought they would break too, but that has not been my experience. Used Dana's snaps on the ends of my sidepull reins & Lalli stepped on one rein. Neither the snap nor the synthetic rein broke..big chiropractic bill..sore horse. This is when I switched to all leather with "fuses". Kaaren
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
that wwould be great, a help to me too wanda! janice
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
Ladies, if I sent in pics of Solon in his sensation saddle with the weaver breast collar (that seemed to fit Gusti) , would you mind telling me what I need to do to make it fit ?? (If it fits at all). Wanda -- Thoughts become things...
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
I love the Zilco breast collars that Long Riders Tack sells. I get the deluxe one that has some padding over the chest straps. The wither strap is not at all heavy. Hought Tack sells one and also Moss Rock Endurance. However, the ones I have for the three other horses swim on Yrsa, who is only 2" shorter than Tosca. Is the Sensation available in a smaller than Arab size? Nancy
[IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
>>>breast collars can be trickier than fitting a bridle<<< I agree with Karen T. on this one. Since I have two Iceys, I'm getting tired of adjusting the one I have for each horse & may just have to suck it up & buy a second one.. the decision is, try another brand or go with a second Sensation??? I really like everything about the Sensation Icelandic breast plate with the exception that the whither piece is heavy because of all the hardware. I haven't found a way around that issue yet. Is the Zilco breast plate as heavy in the whithers piece???Pros & cons on the Zilco anyone??? Input on any other favorite brands ??? What size??? What kind of fit guidelines do you guys use for the center between the legs piece, the two side arms & the whither piece??? I have been making sure that when the horse puts their head down into the "eat" position that I can fit a fist's width under each piece, but surely there are better ways??? Maybe that's too much in certain areas??/ Kaaren
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
>>> I would also install in the no-break synthetic materials some kind of >>> fail-safe in at least 2 of the key partr, kind of like the fuses you >>> see on break away halters just in case something catches the breast >>> plate. The hardware is often the "breakaway" with reins and breastcollars, and with some bridles. If you look in the hardware store at the scissor snaps and other bolt type devises, they are labeled with their break strength. I think the brass scissor snaps are typically rated at about 90 pounds or so. That's about right - a horse in a panic will pull with more than 90 pounds, but a casual pull is much less, so they shouldn't break too easily either. The break strength will vary a little depending on the type of snap/bolt, and the material it's made of. Karen Thomas, NC
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
>>> I bet a wither strap would work...but trying to see if I could make >>> trausti's snug and functional I found it was too high and would be >>> almost in his throat but I need to put holes and shorten the strap to the girth. You're right. Fitting breastcollars is trickier than fitting a bridle. It seems that once I get it right in one dimension, it's wrong in another, so it takes me some trial and error. That's why I'm not positive that most western breast collars can be converted - but it's a thought. Karen Thomas, NC
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
I just feel like since he will only wear it for ceremonial posse work, visiting with children at schools and standing around being petted at civic events it doesn't have to be functional at all' just pretty ;) the zilco will work for search and rescue slogging thru swamps and woods. janice
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
I bet a wither strap would work...but trying to see if I could make trausti's snug and functional I found it was too high and would be almost in his throat but I need to put holes and shorten the strap to the girth. if our posse continues to rake in big bucks off the rodeo we have each year they said they will be buying us matching tack which should be a challenge... janice
[IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
>>Adding whither strap to western breast collar<< I've seen it done out here. A saddle maker can add "arms" from the breast collar + a whither strap encased in a removeable tube of soft material depending on the design of your existing western & the location of the front d's on your saddle. I'd take the saddle you wish to use it with to your local saddler. Karen's idea of also taking a template english hunt style breast plate in is great so everyone's on the same page. Just make sure you share that you prefer that all additions have skived "no feel" edges on the horse side junctions , all buckles are shielded & all material edges beveled. I also like all hardware to be as light weight as possible (snaps etc...) to reduce extra weight. I would also install in the no-break synthetic materials some kind of fail-safe in at least 2 of the key partr, kind of like the fuses you see on break away halters just in case something catches the breast plate. I want mine to break away clean . This is why I prefer all leather tack to biothane..just for saftey's sake. Saddlers ideas of what is acceptable in terms of horse comfort vary widely as I have found in past, so be clear on what your needs are. Always best to learn from someone else's mistakes rather than your own!! Kaaren
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
2008/7/21 Karen Thomas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > Do you have a hunter/endurance style you can compare it to? No I don't, but I could probably put it on Solon and see what everyone thinks. It's such nice leather, that if it does fit Solon, it might be worth taking to a saddle maker to rig it so a wither strap could be used. Wanda -- Thoughts become things...
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
>>> I have a very nice Weaver western that I bought for Gusti a few years >>> ago. I was wondering the same thing. Do you have a hunter/endurance style you can compare it to? Karen Thomas, NC
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
2008/7/21 Karen Thomas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > I've wondered if it's possible to add a wither strap to a western-style > breast collar, like the endurance/hunter breastcollars have. I have a very nice Weaver western that I bought for Gusti a few years ago. I was wondering the same thing. Wanda -- Thoughts become things...
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
>>> bought a weaver texas star concho london tan set for his posse uniform >>> and it is horse sized but had no problem adjusting the bridle to fit. >>> The breast collar I am gonna have to put in a hole on the part that goes >>> to the girth and it is purely decorative, does not add to stability at >>> all really, not like the "hunter" type. This type is called "australian >>> stock" collar in jeffers catalog, endurance style by zilco, Tucker calls >>> it "Montreal Trooper Breast collar" and some call it a "Hunter's Breast >>> Plate" but whatever, it fits more snugly than a western and adds a lot >>> to stability. I've wondered if it's possible to add a wither strap to a western-style breast collar, like the endurance/hunter breastcollars have. It might not work, but it would be worth looking into. Janice, you might try comparing the dimensions of the Zilco breastcollar pieces to the western breastcollar pieces. It might not work, but if it does, you could preserve your set without spending a lot. Karen Thomas, NC
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
>>> I thought Teev was the tank of all time but for some reason had to let >>> out the breast collar a hole with trausti. I think if I ever order >>> another I will just measure this one because it seems a perfect size for >>> icelandics. That Trausti had gotten so big had sort of snuck-up on me. He almost had a refined look when I got him, when he was five (almost six? I think). He certainly did some serious filling out between the ages of 5 and 9. He was always tall, but he continued to bulk up. He's a good two inches taller than Tivar, and overall, I still think Tivar is one of the tankiest Icelandic's I've seen - just not the tallest. Karen Thomas, NC
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
>>> What size Zilco breast plate did you order for Trausti??? How is the >>> fit different from the Sensation Icey size..pros/cons?? I bought that one used on ebay maybe 2 1/2 years ago. I got a good deal on it, which is rare, because Zilco stuff usually goes for a good price even used. At that time, I think they only made the one size breastcollar - I use their "Arab" sized bridles for the most part. The one Sensation breastcollar I have is a size "small" and it works for the Melnir/Sina/Saga sized horses, but is too small for the medium-large-to-large Icelandic's like Tivar, Falki and Trausti. (Note that Sina needs a smallish breastcollar, even though she's about the widest of my Icelandic's in the saddle gullet measurement. "Small" is a relative term.) The Sensations do come in other sizes, but that's the only one I have. The Zilco breastcollar was too big for the small-medium Icelandic's. Zilco can't match the option of custom sizes found with the Sensation breastcollars. I understand that Zilco makes two sizes (at least?) of breastcollars now, so I'm not sure how the sizing runs these days. Karen Thomas, NC
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
the western is more for preventing the saddle from sliding back not really for side to side slipage-think the stability on a western rig is in the saddle tree and the proper fit for the horse and rider...
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
On 7/20/08, Kaaren Jordan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >>Zilco breast plat<< > > What size Zilco breast plate did you order for Trausti??? How is the fit > different from the Sensation Icey size..pros/cons?? > > Kaaren > it was one karen sent with Teev, adjusted properly for him to allow saddle stabilization at the liz clinic. Then she let me have the halter bridle when she sent Trausti. because it was adjusted and had his bit on it etc. Its very nice. I thought Teev was the tank of all time but for some reason had to let out the breast collar a hole with trausti. I think if I ever order another I will just measure this one because it seems a perfect size for icelandics. Teev has a horse size head but trausti's is smaller. I bought a weaver texas star concho london tan set for his posse uniform and it is horse sized but had no problem adjusting the bridle to fit. The breast collar I am gonna have to put in a hole on the part that goes to the girth and it is purely decorative, does not add to stability at all really, not like the "hunter" type. This type is called "australian stock" collar in jeffers catalog, endurance style by zilco, Tucker calls it "Montreal Trooper Breast collar" and some call it a "Hunter's Breast Plate" but whatever, it fits more snugly than a western and adds a lot to stability. In fact I have no slippage at all with it and the fixed stirrups on the sensation. Someday when i win the lotto I would like a sensation harmony bridle and breast collar in my signature safety orange :) but for now this works real well. makes you wonder if western type breast collars offer any actual stability at all. They are pretty tho, for parades and showing off :) But for real utility and for saddle stabilization on a real level i think this hunter type breast collar is the kind you need. I had a breast collar for stonewall once that is supposed to be best for gaited horses. I forget what its called, just a wide band across the chest that affixes to top of girth on each side. It pure rubbed all the hair and some hide off his chest all the way across! so so much for that! Janice -- even good horses have bad days sometimes.
[IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
>>Zilco breast plat<< What size Zilco breast plate did you order for Trausti??? How is the fit different from the Sensation Icey size..pros/cons?? Kaaren
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Trausti was a big star! (in Zilco tack)
>>> is my camo helmet AWESOME or WHAT janice Totally awesome, Janice. Congratulations to you and Trausti! He's a good boy. BTW, someone asked about Zilco tack yesterday. Trausti is modeling the blue Zilco Deluxe Bridle with matching breast-collar. Karen Thomas, NC
