How to Fit Your Western Breast Collar

Western Breast Collars have a very simple but useful purpose. They keep your saddle from sliding back and help the saddle to stay in the best fitting position on your horses back.


The fitting position is also determined by how how well your saddle fits on your horse, the better your saddle fits the less it will move around. So be sure you start with a quality saddle that has a proper fit.

Your decision on which type of Breast Collar to use will be based upon the type of riding you do and your personal preference.

The wider the Breast Collar the more the pressure is spread out across the chest.

Here is a list of the Styles of Breast Collars used for different various types of horse riding:

A breast Collar with a Narrow-1"style- used for a Flat trail, Show ring, or Light performance,

Endurance equestrian sports where lightweight is a factor...

A Breast Collar with a Mid size-1 1/2"-2"- used for a Mountain trail, Barrel racing, Gymkhana,

Cutting, any medium to high performance events.

A Breast Collar with a Wide width of- 2-3"- for Packing, Roping, Ranch branding work, High performance were you will need to dally on your horn.

You have many styles available to match your saddle or personal preference with beautiful hand tooling, stamping, and conchas or rawhide braiding.

Lets talk about fit. Most of the Breast Collars on the market today fit around on the shoulders and connect to the cincha ring. Riders are discovering that this fit is a little restrictive and rubs across the shoulder.

Many saddles now come with a dee ring mounted up higher on the front, for a better Breast collar position up over the shoulder at the base of the neck. Like an old harness collar for pulling a wagon.

An analogy would be the fit of your back pack. If the shoulder straps fall down onto your upper arm it is very uncomfortable.

This over the shoulder fit at the base of the neck is becoming very popular!

Different Breast Collar styles are being made To fit this way--

Many now have an over the neck strap which connects at the upper rings on the Breast collar and goes up over the neck between the saddle and the mane holding the Breast Collar up for proper fit. This strap can be purchased separately.

Some are called Buckaroo Breast Collar, Nevada Breast Collar, Old Martingale Breast Collar, and pulling Breast Collar.


The pulling breast collar pictured on the right is designed to fit any saddle as it wraps up through and around the pommel with one strap on each side of the horn fitting any saddle... even without the upper front Dee rings on your saddle.

This style breast collar is ideal for all medium to ultra high performance events.

Quality Finished Leather Breast Collars are extremely important due to the pressure on the front of your horse. When manufactured the edges of the Breast Collar must be finished off and rubbed down so there are no sharp edges to prevent chaffing.

Always check your Quality Leather Horse Tack for safety reasons and make sure there is not any build up of hair, sweat or dirt on the underside against your horses hair as this can chaff and create problems.

Buckaroo Leather has quality American Made Breast Collars on sale in our Valentine Specials category..... take a look at this......

Breast Collar Old Martingale style "Choker"

Price: $171.50
Sale:$150.50
You Save: $21.00

Hand crafted from the finest Hermann Oak Rough Out Oiled Golden Bridle Leather w/ chap lining, this Old Martingale style shaped breast collar (some in the sage call it a "CHOKER") features an over the shoulder fit for a better pulling position. Also featured is the adjustable neck strap and billet. The breast collar is hand edged, rubbed and finished with nickel hardware.

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the
Western Horseman the safest most durable
Quality American made leather horse tack.......Buckaroo John Brand
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
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Team Roping Equipment and History

Team roping also known as, heading and heeling, is a rodeo event that features a steer and two mounted riders. The communication and teamwork between the header and the heeler is vital to a successful team. But, if you do not have a properly trained horse or the proper horse tack to allow for good communication to your horse, the team will not be successful.

Team roping is a huge draw in rodeo events. To watch the teamwork and skill between riders and horse is an exciting display of horsemanship of both present day Cowboys and the Cowboys of the Old West.

Below is a description of the Team Roping Event

The first roper is referred to as the "header.” The header is the person who ropes the front of the steer, usually around the horns, then turns the steer so its hind legs can be roped by the second person the "heeler.”

Steers used for roping are moved from a holding corral through a series of narrow runways that lead to the roping arena. The runways allow the steers to be lined up in single file. Then, one at a time, a steer is moved into a chute with spring loaded doors in front and a solid gate behind, so that only one animal is released at a time. On each side of the chute is an area called the box it is big enough to hold a horse and a rider.

The header is on one side (usually the left, for a right-handed header) and the heeler, will start from the box on the other side of the chute. A taut rope, called the barrier, runs in front of the header's box and is fastened to an easily released rope on the neck of the steer of a designated length, used to ensure that the steer gets a head start. An electronic barrier, consisting of an electric eye connected to a timing device, is sometimes used in place of th e barrier rope. When the header is ready, he or she calls for the steer and an assistant pulls a lever, opening the chute doors. The freed steer breaks out running. When the steer reaches the end of the rope, the barrier releases.

The header must rope the steer with one of three legal catches: a clean horn catch around both horns, a neck catch around the neck or a half-head catch around the neck and one horn. The header then takes a dally-a couple of wraps of the rope around the horn of the saddle. Once the header has made the dally, the rider turns the horse, usually to the left, and the ste er will follow, still running. The heeler waits until the header has turned the steer. When he or she has a clear throw, the heeler throws a loop of rope under the running steer's hind legs and catches them. As soon as the heeler also dallies tight, the header turns his or her horse to directly face the steer and heeler. Both horses back up slightly to stretch out the steer's hind legs, immobilizing the animal. As soon as the steer is stretched out, an official waves a flag and the time is taken. The steer is released and trots off.

There is a 5 second penalty for roping only one hind leg and a 10 second penalty for breaking the barrier. Team roping is the only rodeo event where men and women compete equally together in a professionally sanctioned competition, in both single gender and mixed gender teams.

A successful professional-level team takes between 4 and 12 seconds to stretch the steer, depending on the length of the arena. At lower levels, a team may take longer, particularly if the heeler misses the first throw and has to try again. At higher levels, the header and the heeler are allowed only one throw each, if either misses, the team gets no score.

Team Roping History

Team roping grew out of the cowboys working on the ranches in the old west. It was necessary to capture and restrain a full-grown animal that was too large to handle by a single man. Larger cattle would have to be immobilized for branding and doctoring by two ropers due to their strength and size. Today, as in the old west, team roping is a timed event that relies on the cooperation and skill of the cowboys and their horses.

Horses used in Team Roping

Another important aspect to the event is the type of horses used by the ropers. The American quarter horse is the most popular among all timed-event competitors, particularly team ropers. Heading horses generally are taller and heavier because they need the power to turn the steer after it is roped. Heeling horses are quick and agile, enabling them to better follow the steer and react to its moves.

Horse Equipment used by Team Ropers

Rope - used to rope the steer. The rope is made of synthetic fibers, or a more traditional cowboy rope is made from rawhide. The Header ropes are 30ft long and are soft. The Heelers ropes are 35ft long and stiffer than the Headers ropes.

Lariat Rope- (lasso) is a loop of rope that is designed to be thrown around a target and tighten when pulled. It is also a well known tool of the American Cowboy.

Pulling Breast Collar- Pulling breast collars are popular among Western riders, particularly ropers. Instead of crossing a horse's chest from side-to-side like some other styles, pulling breast collars sit just above the line of a horse's shoulders and buckle around the pommel of the saddle. This style of Breast Collar allows the horse more freedom of shoulder movement and better leverage when pulling.

Roping Breast Collar with an over the neck Wither Strap- this will have the best up and over the shoulder fit for a good pulling position for the horse and rider.

Nosebands and Roping Tie Downs-used to help keep the horses head down and out of your line of sight.



Roping gloves- Used to prevent rope burns on the hands of the ride rs.

A Western saddle - a particularly strong design with double rigging and other specialized features, including a rubber wrap around the saddle horn to keep the dally from slipping.

A good quality Roping Mohair Cincha is required for the best support.A wider Western Roping Flank Cincha is also best to hold the back of your saddle down when dallied.


Quality Leather Roping Reins and a leather Bridle.

Team Roping Techniques

Headers swing their loops overhead in a smooth, flat motion, aim for the back of the steer's head and release the loop. When the roper releases, he or she is to stop the hand open, flat, and palm down at the point where the loop is thrown.

Heelers use a different technique; a right-handed heeler will twirl the loop on the left side of the rider's body, always keeping the tip of the loop on the left side so that when the loop is thrown, it will go under the steer. Heeling is all about timing; the tip of the loop has to be at its lowest point as the steer's legs are coming forward. The lay of the loop is also very important; it should stand up against the steer's legs with the bottom loop on the ground so the steer will jump right into it.


Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the
Western Horseman the safest most durable
Quality American made leather horse tack.......Buckaroo John Brand
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Popular Pulling Breast Collars and Alpaca Mecate Reins

Video- A visit to Buckaroo Leather Booth at Western States Horse Expo 2010

This video features our number #1 seller- the soft Alpaca Mecate Reins and our popular Leather Pulling Breast Collar. This Breast Collar has an old fashioned cowboy look with either basket stamp or wild rose hand tooled pattern. The shoulder fit is designed to wrap through the saddle swells, perfect for a pulling position.

Barns By Harrahs provided a 3 sided shelter for Buckaroo John Brand and Buckaroo Leather to introduce our USA Made quality leather horse tack.

Thank you to Barns by Harrahs- we had a great time talking to existing satisfied Customers and meeting many new ones.


Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving
the Western Horseman the safest most durable Quality
American made leather horse tack.......Buckaroo John Brand
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Large Horse, Draft Horse and Mule Leather Horse Tack

Large horses, mules and draft horses are becoming more popular by the day.

Making a large demand now for quality tack and equipment that fits properly.

The Large Horses all have heads longer and broader across the brow with larger throats. So we now have large horse headstalls..

Mules have a narrower chest and need the type of breast collar that fits up above their shoulders and usually need an over the neck strap to hold the breast collar up in the best pulling position. We proudly now make western tack for mules.

And of coarse, Draft horses are larger all over. We now have

draft horse tack designed to fit.

So with more and more requests Buckaroo Leather has added a line of Tack to fit in the same Top Quality American made Tradition it is respected for.

Below is a sample of the quality horse tack for Large Horses, Draft and Mules. To see more please visit or website and the category Large Horse, Mule and Draft.

For a custom fit, include with your order the complete crown/poll measurement- from the corner of the mouth along the head up over the poll down to the other corner of the mouth.







Ultimate Sidepull Headstall Leather Nose LH225L

The Buckaroo Ultimate sidepull Headstall is just that- THE BEST. Made from the finest heavy weight Hermann Oak Harness leather for a smooth, rich, "broke in" feel. This Buckaroo Headstall is double and sewn with a soft chap lining, and oiled for that soft supple feel. This Headstall is a Side Pull style with a width of 5/8", available in Sm. Horse/Cob/Pony & Regular Horse size. Now also available in Large Horse/Mule and Draft Horse size.




Or purchase the same Ultimate Sidepull but with a beautiful Heart Concha (Shown Here)
Ultimate Sidepull LH225L-SPHRT3





SidePull Bitless Bridle Set

Hermann Oak quality 5/8" Harness leather regular horse size, flat leather nose, double & stitched with soft chap lining; hand edged, rubbed and oiled for a soft supple feel. It features adjustable throat latch, chin strap. Brown Cotton one piece style reins are attached with harness leather slobber straps. Available in Large Horse/Mule & Draft sizes. A great addition to your horse tack equipment.








Pulling Breast Collars w/SPBA-Antique Berry Conchas BC66C

Buckaroo Leather products are THE BRAND TO DEMAND! We have added 4 beautifully hand engraved Antique Berry Conchas to this Quality Hermann Oak Leather Buckaroo style Breast Collar BC66C. This Cowboy Pulling style Breast Collar is American made of Golden Bridle leather, is 2 1/2" wide, oiled & stitched with a soft chap lining and finished with Nickel Plate roller buckle hardware. The Breast Collar has an over the shoulder fit and is designed to wrap through the saddle swells, perfect for a pulling position. This version is available in Large Horse/Mule and Draft Horse size.



Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving
the Western Horseman the safest most durable Quality
American made leather horse tack.......

Buckaroo John Brand

Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Buckaroo Leather's Favorite Cowboy Websites

I had such a great response from my first Blog on this subject, that I decided to write about more of my favorite websites.

Since starting my own blog, website, and now a new monthly newsletter, I have encountered and met some passionate and interesting people in the horse world. Listed below are their websites and brief description of each. I encourage you to visit and pass along these websites.

If you have any websites you would like to share, please feel free to leave a comment. Also if you are interested in subscribing to my new monthly newsletter, with updates on new horse tack and great discounts, please click on this link, Newsletter, to sign up for The Buckaroo Newsletter, The Newsletter to Demand!

The Best Horse Sense
What I Need for the Future I Learned in the Pasture.

A great website for all horse lovers! Whether you are a western rider, trail rider, or just for leisure, you will appreciate the horse sense!

Below is some information about this website.

Some of the most important life lessons I have learned have been from the back of a horse. I learned to love horses in my late thirties. Unlike someone who has been around horses since childhood, I have learned horsemanship through an adult’s eyes. As a result, those lessons have spilled over into the rest of my life. I have become a better person since I started playing with horses.

I want to share those lessons on leadership, understanding, forgiveness, and love that I learned from my horses. Come join me on this adventure.

John Silveira, Farrier

We all know horses need a farrier! John has some great articles on how to keep your horses hooves' healthy. Great information for all breeds of horses, western riding, trail riding, competitive riding and overall horse health.

Below is some information about John,

John Silveira is a Farrier, Aikido practitioner, spiritualist, born and raised in San Mateo California the bay area. For information on his shoeing method and the 100% track record just go to http://care4horses.com/ and leave contact information. Thank you and remember to Care4Horses.

An excerpt from his website-

Uncovering more controversy with Barefoot vs Shod horses. To be perfectly honest with you this Barefoot thing is the ONLY area i get any flack from when i address issues surrounding it. And it's ALWAYS from the Barefoot People. So be it !! I want to be clear - i'm NOT against barefoot horses - it's just that not all horses can go barefoot - just won't happen.

Janet Roper

I have long been fascinated by relationships. Whether it is the relationship between humans and their pets, a person and a higher power, or musicians and their instruments, I have studied it in an attempt to understand it and help the person deepen those relationships and achieve harmony.

Talk2theAnimals.net is designed to be a place to gather and disperse information on animal communication and animals.

Thomas Herding Technique-Discovering the Communicated Equine

Communication between horse and rider is vital. If you are competing in one of the various competitive equine sports, such as trail trials, Gymkhana, or Cowboy Mounted Shooting, you need to be able to know your horse and communicate. This website is a great resource!

Below is some information about the site and their mission statement-

A spiritual connection with the horse is paramount to the physical, For it is this higher power that transcends and controls all that follows.

The mission of Thomas Herding Technique is equine behavior and stress management through better human/horse communication.

Plenty Star Ranch

A wonderful ranch and website! Below is some information-

Being able to move to the USA (1995) and especially to the Black Hills was a gift from Heaven. I brought my horse along, Djinni-Fee, my dreams and visions of living in and with nature, surrounded by horses, learning more about natural health care and turning my passion for painting portraits into recognized works of art.

None of these dreams would have become reality if not for my husband Jack, humble, patient and alway encouraging. He generously invited me into his heart and Plenty Star Ranch. Together we turned this most beautiful place into a guest ranch and horse camp, where I can also offer natural horsemanship clinics, using some of our awesome herd of Spanish Mustangs. Come visit - coffee is always on!

Smoke Creek Ranch

Smoke Creek Ranch is located in the south central area of Pennsylvania. We are a young operation, raising and training AQHA and APHA bred horses. Our breeding herd is built on the famous "Three Bars" bloodlines, Zippo Pine Bar, Doc Bar and our favorite, Sonny Dee Bar.

The Pulling Breast Collars!- Buckaroo Leather's fastest growing new product

This Breast Collar is very popular among Western riders, particularly ropers. Instead of crossing a horse's chest from side-to-side like some other styles, pulling breast collars sit just above the line of a horse's shoulders buckle around the pommel of the saddle. According to ropers and other riders that prefer pulling breast collars, it allows the horse more freedom of shoulder movement and better leverage when pulling.

Pulling Breast Collars 

Quality Hermann Oak Leather with a width of 2 1/2". This Pulling style Breast Collar is oiled & stitched with a soft chap lining and finished with Nickel Plate roller buckle hardware; the BC65 version is stitched heavy harness leather. Both Breast Collars have an over the shoulder fit. It is designed to wrap through the saddle swells, perfect for a pulling position.

Pulling Breast Collars-Tooled 

With a traditional Cowboy look this Pulling Breast Collar is designed for roping or heavy mountain horse riding. The quality leather color is Golden with a Hand Tooled basket design. The width is 2 1/2" wide with Nickel Plate hardware. This Pulling Breast Collar has an over the shoulder fit. It is designed to wrap through the saddle swells, perfect for a pulling position.

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving
the Western Horseman the safest most durable Quality
American made leather horse tack.......

Buckaroo John Brand

Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site