Martingales & Breast Collars?

Question

What excatly are they used for? And if I'm getting a horse with no plans to show/cross country/dressage just trail/english pleasure/jumping (no more then 4ft and not for showing, just because I like to jump) should I get one?

Answer 1

if your horse's head is always up when your cantering towards a jump instead of at a normal level then you either need to loosen up on the reins or get a martingale. and before you go out a buy one ask a trainer.

Answer 2

If you're jumping, I'd advise a breast collar, but not a martingale.

I've seen horses in accidents when the girth was loose and the saddle slipped because there was no breast collar, so for gaming or jumping I always use a breast collar.

Answer 3

In my opinion a martingale is only a necessary evil. I have had to resort tone a few times, but, only for a short while ....Training purposes only....When the horses head is real high it deoesn't sem as though it  is paying attention as much as it is trying to fight for control ....Again it all comes back to good communication.....Good luck!

Answer 4

A martingale is used to keep the horse from throwing his head up. A breast collar is used to keep the saddle from sliding back. It can also be used as an extra handle in a pinch.

If your horse does not throw his head, you don't need a martingale. If your saddle does not slip back, you don't need a breast collar.

Answer 5

well a martingale is a training device and a breast collar is a piece of tack that keeps the saddle from slipping back as much. two different things with two different uses.

martingale-comes in three main type. german, standing, running.

in dressage you cant use any, as for most any showing. . . running sometimes are seen in jumping shows. but my view of matringales are you use them for training, it teaches the horse how to set it's head/neck correctly for balance so they get the feel for it. then you take it off for shows b/c by then you should be able to get the horse to get into frame by yourself with out help.

breat collars (from what i understand b/c i never owned one, didnt need it) are on a if you need it use it type deal. . . if when your jumpin and the saddle slips around too much, then use one. . . if not save the money and dont get one.

if your not going to show or train. . . and just have fun with the horse. . . then you dont need either one.

note: there really ARE 3 types of matrin gales. . . i use the german martingale on all my horses at one point or another in the correct way that my trainer has taught me.  but i only use it for training for shows and such. i've never used a running or standing b/c i never needed to for my horses.

Answer 6

na i wouldn't get one

Answer 7

I don't advise it...at best, they should only be used by advanced horsemen, and they are associated with some serious neck and throat injuries, and they are not needed when a horse is properly trained.

So, I say no...don't get a martingale.

Answer 8

breast collars are used to help keep the saddle from slipping back. They can be used on any type of horse and for whatever amount of work the horse is doing. They are especially nice for trail riding because if you are going for long periods over rough terrain, the saddle is more likely to slip. Also they can be used on a horse that the saddle fits comfortably but isnt a perfect fit. Most breast collars have a ring where the collar hits the center of the chest. This allows for a martingale attachment.

Martingales. There are 2 types-standing and running. A standing martingale runs from the breast collar ( or girth if the 'gale is a full not an attachment) to the noseband of the bridle.  It has a loop on the end of it and you slide the end of the noseband through it before buckeling it. The standing 'gale is used too prevent a horse from throwing his head or getting the temptation to throw his head. A lot of horses will develop bad habits over jumps. Head tossing is one of them.

The running 'gale- runs from the breast collar (or again the girth) then forks into 2 pieces before coming to a ring on each end. The reins are run through the rings and then place around the horses neck and knotted or buckled. IT IS OF THE MOST IMPORTANT NATURE THAT REINS STOPS ARE ALWAYS PLACED ON THE REINS BEFORE USING THIS TYPE OF MARTINGALE.  The horse may toss his head or the rings may come up over the reins and get caught on the bit causing the horse to panic and flip over backwards. This 'gale is used for helping with head carriage amongst other things.

Before using either type of martingale, please make sure that you get proper instruction in their uses.Both can be very dangerous if used by an inexperienced rider and can cause severe damage not only to your horse but you as well.

* All of the older generation riding school masters will tell you that a jumper/hunter is not properly outfitted until he is wearing a martingale of some sort. This is to prevent him from learning any bad tricks in the middle of the season that may take months to train out of him. de Nementhy and Hugo Vidal subscribe to this school of thought as does George Morrison.

Before using a breast collar please check all possible references on how to fit one to your horse. It can be potentially dangerous if it is too tight or too loose. Also, check with a trainer if possible on the correct fitting if possible.

Answer 9

I never used one in english...ever! but it depends if your horse has/is used to one. I just use in when going on trail rides where there are hills(so it doesn't slip back). So it depends where your riding and the horse you are riding

Answer 10

It depends on what type of breast collar your going to use. The english ones are often very different from western. I use a western breast collar on my horse, so that when we go up steep hills the saddle doesn't slide back and cause him discomfort.

If you can find a good breast collar that fits, and learn how to properly use it, it can be a very helpful tool. It also prevents the saddle from rolling under the horse if you use a western one, because there is a strap that goes inbetween their front legs. This usually helps for horses that don't have big weithers, or don't like the cinch tight.

Answer 11

maritngales are used to get the horses head where you want it and breast collars are to keep your saddle from slipping back

Answer 12

a martingale is designed to-control h ead carriage so that a horse cant throw its head up

a breast plate or collar is generally used to stop a saddle slipping back on large shouldered horses and some people use it incase their girth breaks- they have time to stop and get off before the saddle falls.

if the horse you buy is being trained with a martingale ask his owners why and you can decide if you want to continue using it.

Breastplate- depends on the horse if he NEEDS it but if he doesnt you can still have it. If you are going to jump i would get one to prevent saddle movement.

good luck with your horse

Answer 13

Don't get one unless you find that you need it.

The martingale's purpose is to stop the horse from getting it's head up so high that your reins do nothing and he just runs away with you, so high that he could hit you in the face with the back of his head. Breastcollars are to stop the saddle from sliding backwards  - you might find that you need one if you are doing a lot of steep hills or cross country jumping etc, but just for trails a well fitted saddle shouldn't need one.