Western riders, re - introducing my gelding to wearing a breastcollar?

[QH Love]

A few years back when I was leasing him, my saddle slipped and I caught a nice hoof to my shoulder. The woman that owned him then had a breastcollar she let me borrow a few days later. She slapped it on him and he was totally fine, until I got on him. He bucked and reared and crow hopped all over the place. I got off and we checked to make sure it wasn't causing him pain, and it wasn't, I think it was just something new and he didn't know what to do. After that I didn't make him wear one again, though I probably should have it was years ago and I was a beginner. Basically I need him to start wearing it again because i'm going to train him on barrels. what's the best way to re-introduce it without all that drama?
I can't put it on him and tie him up, he'll tear the fence down. He's pretty ground aggressive and when I saddle him my barn mate holds his head while I saddle him so he can't bite me. I was thinking of just putting it on him and letting him loose in the field for a little bit, then working him in the round pen with it. He's what some people would call dangerous, but he acts a lot different with that saddle on. Should I let him loose in the field with it, then round pen him, and then get on him? thanks everyone for the tips they are all very helpful.
I can't put it on him and tie him up, he'll tear the fence down. He's pretty ground aggressive and when I saddle him my barn mate holds his head while I saddle him so he can't bite me. I was thinking of just putting it on him and letting him loose in the field for a little bit, then working him in the round pen with it. He's what some people would call dangerous, but he acts a lot different with that saddle on. Should I let him loose in the field with it, then round pen him, and then get on him? thanks everyone for the tips they are all very helpful.

 

[Azeri]

Don't put it on and tie him, in case he flips out. Put it on, with a halter and lead rope, walk him for a bit, put him in roundpen on a longe line, and longe him at walk, trot and canter (jog and lope) but don't let him race around like a maniac. I've never had a problem introducing breast collars or neck straps to horses, at all, but your horse may associate it with the saddle-slipping incident that occurred.

Don't ever introduce anything new or potentially troublesome to a horse while he's tied up. You're asking for trouble as if they do react to the new thing, they are apt to rear and flip over and as their head is tied, if the halter or lead rope doesn't break, their neck will.

 

[Bubbles!!]

Put it on and lunge him, let him buck and rear to get used to it. Not sure if this is the most effective way, but it's an idea.

 

[Kristen]

Put the breast collar on him fitting a little bit loose - but not hanging or anything dangerous. Put him on the lunge line and let him run around and get used to it. Once he has all the silly stuff out of his system, hop on him and walk him around. If he seems alright, you can proceed to trot, and so on. Eventually, tighten it one hole at a time and do this everytime you ride. Soon you will have it fitting well and a horse who could care less!

 

[Danica]

Saddle him up and put the breast collar on him and let him stand tied with it for a while. When you get ready to work him put him in a round pen and lunge him while he gets used to it. It would work best though if you were able to let him stand with it for a few hours for a few days before you try to work or ride him with it. That way he has plenty of time to move around and feel it out on his own in a setting he's familiar with.

Edit: Sorry I kind of take for granted that most horses will tie. I understand when they don't though. I wouldn't put him in the field with it just turn him loose in the round pen. It's alot more secure and less for him to get the saddle caught on and really give himself a scare

 

[horace hockey]

I agree with qh love except I would jus walk him after the standing some , then longe.

 

[Wasabi]

Unless it was put on very tight, there's no reason why a horse would react by bucking to a breast collar. that's silly.

a horse can wear a breast collar without issue....if it's put on correctly. that means, it should be loose enough so that he can move around comfortable, but tight enough to work....so you should be able to fit your hand under it easily and move it around a little....but not have it sagging.

**it sounds like the breast collar isn't the problem...

If your horse is biting you when you saddle him....that saddle is the problem. It doesn't fit.
That's why your horse bucks.

A saddle that pinches or otherwise hurts the horse....will make the horse upset and need to tell you (with biting, bucking)...because it HURTS.

If you are 100% positive that the saddle fits right....then you need to go back to the beginning with some good training to get him to be calm and accepting of being saddled.

It's unfair to force a ride on a horse that clearly isn't happy about it....bucking/biting.

Once you take care of the saddle fit or the training....your horse won't have reason to buck anymore.

Honestly, I think you should find a trainer.

He's not dangerous. It's your approach to "training" that's dangerous.

You can't even tie him without thinking he'll tear the fence down? why?? Because you haven't taught him to tie! That's why. He's NOT trained to do much....but to be reactive....sounds like. that's bad training. not a breast collar.

He's a horse. Horses are supposed to react with instinct (buck, bolt, rear, strike, bite, etc) when the training stinks.

If the training was good....he wouldn't be so reactive, but instead he'd think his way through and be well trained.
get a trainer.

or get some training dvds to follow before you make this horse into a bigger mess. please. for his sake.
Clinton Anderson. google that name.