The Velociti Breastplate Havana is a classic three-point style breastplate designed to keep your saddle in place while offering your horse plenty of comfort. Finished in a rich Havana colour with stainless steel fittings, it is aimed at riders who want something smart enough for lessons and clinics, yet tough enough for day-to-day use.
With fully adjustable side straps and padding at the withers and across the chest, it focuses on a secure yet forgiving fit that helps prevent rubbing on longer hacks or schooling sessions. A detachable martingale adds versatility, so you can tailor your set-up as your horse’s way of going changes.
Priced in the mid-range for quality leatherwork and with a straightforward, feature-led design rather than fancy extras, it suits riders looking for reliable tack that does its job without fuss.
The Velociti Breastplate Havana is best suited to leisure and amateur competition riders who want added saddle security without compromising comfort. If you regularly hack out, pop a few fences or school a horse whose saddle tends to slip back, it offers a practical, everyday solution.
It will appeal to riders who favour a traditional Havana finish and want something that looks tidy for lessons, riding club events and low-level competition. The detachable martingale makes it a sensible choice for young horses or those that can get a bit strong, as you can remove or refit it depending on the day.
This is a good mid-range option for riders upgrading from budget synthetic tack, or for those buying their first proper breastplate. It is not trying to be a high-end, show-ring piece, but instead focuses on adjustability, cushioning and versatility.
If you have several horses to fit, the generous adjustability will be useful, though you may still want more specialised fit options if you compete at a higher level or have particularly tricky conformation to cater for.
The stand-out strength of the Velociti Breastplate Havana is how it combines security with comfort. Fully adjustable side straps mean you can fine-tune the fit so the straps sit where they should, helping to keep the saddle from sliding back without pinching or pulling.
Padding at the withers and across the breast is a real plus for horses with sensitive skin or those who sweat up on longer rides. It helps spread pressure more evenly and reduces the risk of rubs, especially when used regularly for hacking or schooling.
The detachable martingale is another welcome touch. It gives you two pieces of equipment in one: a simple breastplate when that is all you need, and full breastplate with martingale when you want a bit more control. The stainless steel fittings finish it off neatly, adding durability and a smart, polished look that will stand up well to regular cleaning and use.
There are a few areas where the Velociti Breastplate Havana may not tick every box. The specification focuses on the core function rather than any advanced design touches, so riders used to ergonomic, shape-contoured breastplates may find this a little more traditional and basic in styling.
The lack of detailed size information in the spec means you will need to be careful choosing the right size, particularly for very fine or very broad types. While the adjustability should help, those with awkwardly shaped horses might still prefer a more anatomically cut option.
Finally, riders who compete at higher levels or who ride in very wet, muddy conditions might want extra reassurance about leather grade or extra padding zones, which are not highlighted here. For most everyday riders this will be more than adequate, but it is not positioned as a top-tier, premium competition breastplate.
In daily use, the Velociti Breastplate Havana should feel simple and familiar to handle. The fully adjustable side straps help you get an even fit on both sides, so once you have it set up correctly for your horse, it is largely a case of clipping on and going.
The padded wither and chest areas make a noticeable difference on longer rides, where unpadded leather can sometimes dig in or rub. With this design, the pressure points are cushioned, so your horse is more likely to stay comfortable during regular hacking and schooling.
Swapping between martingale and no martingale is straightforward thanks to the detachable design. This is particularly handy if you ride several horses in one day or alternate between flatwork and jumping. Stainless steel fittings tend to slide and fasten cleanly, and they clean up well after contact with sweat, rain or arena sand.
As with any leatherwork, you will get the best experience if you clean and condition it regularly. The straightforward construction makes it easy to wipe down, check stitching and keep the padding supple, ensuring it stays comfortable and presentable.
From a performance perspective, the Velociti Breastplate Havana focuses on doing the fundamentals well. By anchoring the saddle and resisting backward slip, it offers extra security on horses with round barrels, forward girths or those that change shape slightly through the season. This can be especially reassuring when hacking on hills or doing light jumping.
The fully adjustable side straps are central to its performance. Being able to shorten or lengthen both sides ensures the breastplate sits symmetrically and does its job without pulling the saddle forwards or restricting the shoulders. Riders can fine-tune the fit for different pads or saddle positions, which is ideal if your set-up changes over time.
Padding on the withers and breast area improves day-to-day comfort, helping distribute pressure over a broader area instead of letting narrow straps dig into muscle. For horses with sensitive skin, this can be the difference between a piece of tack they tolerate and one they resent.
The detachable martingale offers an extra layer of functionality. When fitted, it can help discourage head tossing or give you a little more influence on stronger horses without having to change the rest of your tack. When you do not need it, you simply remove it and ride with a clean breastplate configuration.
Stainless steel fittings complete the package, bringing corrosion resistance and a smart finish that works nicely with the Havana leather. While it does not advertise advanced ergonomic shaping or specialist materials, the feature set is well judged for everyday riders who want reliability and comfort over flashy extras.
At a price point that sits in the middle of the range for decent-quality breastplates, the Velociti Breastplate Havana offers solid value for money. You are paying for a functional, padded and adjustable design with the bonus of a detachable martingale, rather than premium branding or ornate styling.
The inclusion of both cushioning and stainless steel fittings is reassuring at this level, as it should hold up well under regular use with sensible care. For riders currently using older or unpadded tack, the improvement in comfort and the extra saddle security will likely feel like money well spent.
If you are on a tight budget there will be cheaper options, but they may lack the padding, adjustability or dual-use martingale feature. Conversely, more expensive breastplates often add shaped, anatomical designs and higher-grade leather. This model strikes a pragmatic balance, making it a strong choice if you want dependable performance without paying a premium for specialist competition gear.
The Velociti Breastplate Havana is a sensibly designed, comfortable and versatile breastplate for everyday riders who want to keep their saddle secure and their horse happy. The adjustable side straps, padded wither and chest sections and the detachable martingale all work together to deliver a piece of tack that feels practical and reassuring in regular use.
It is not the most advanced or anatomically sculpted option on the market, and riders at higher competition levels or with particularly challenging fits may still prefer a more technical design. However, for hacking, schooling and riding club activities, it provides the right mix of comfort, functionality and smart looks.
If you are looking to upgrade from a basic breastplate, or want one piece of kit that can switch between everyday riding and slightly sharper work with the martingale attached, the Velociti Breastplate Havana is well worth considering.
