Running martingale help?

Question

When i bought my new saddle, I bought a running martingale. Yeah, i know how to use it LIKE how to put it on. Well it has rings the go through tthe reins and my horses head doesnt look that different, how does it work?? PLEASE no rude commemts I really dont care if u like to use one or not

Answer 1

It sounds like you need a standing martingale, not a running martingale.

Running martingales are acceptable only in jumper classes. You fit a running martingale by sliding the reins through the rings. Hold the ring straight up in a vertical line. It should come halfway up the horse's neck. It acts by keeping a horse with a high head in check. If your horse sticks his nose out forward, it won't do you any good.

Standing martingales are allowed in hunter, equitation, and low-level jumper classes. They attach from th girth to the noseband of the bridle, and prevent the horse from star-gazing or stretching too far forward.

I should note however that a martingale won't help you fix the real problem. Pulling can be a sign of a strong horse, or a horse protesting a rider with hard hands. Work with a trainer to determine if you're pulling on your horse's mouth too much.

Answer 2

fitting- place the neckstrap around the neck, I fit it to enable 3 fingers in it. slip the end over the girth and girth up as normal. The two straps with rings, I gather in a bunch and take up into the horses gullet, to check for fit..you can go a little shorter on a known stargazer. Then, just slip a rein through each ring and you are ready to go. Use rubber stops(some martingales have leather already attached)on each rein to stop martingale rings getting caught on the bit. Basically, if the horse is going along with the rider normally with good head carriage, the martingale will not come into play...it's only when the horse raises it's head that it comes into play.It creates a fulcrum point on the rein, basically giving the rider more leverage against the horse trying to rise above the bit  as an evasion . I have no problems with a correctly fitted martingale, as long as the horse actually needs it :o)

good luck :o)

z x

Answer 3

What ?

The running martingale will only make a difference if your horse throws it's head UP. Then it works by altering the angle of the reins to give downward pressure on the bit to bring the head back down again.

Answer 4

Some horses actually are smaller than the standard running martingale.  An old "cowboy" quick fix is to tie a knot in each side below each ring.  This shortens the martengale and allows you to have more leverage.  Warning:  Do NOT over use the martingale!  It will make your horse "over bend" to avoid the pressure over time.

Answer 5

The running martingale consists of a strap which is attached to the girth and passes between the horse's front legs before dividing into two pieces. At the end of each of these straps is a small metal ring through which the reins pass. It is held in the correct position by a neck strap or breastplate.

A running martingale is adjusted so that each of the "forks" has about an inch of slack when the horse holds its head in the normal position The reins make a straight line from the rider's hand to the bit ring when the horse's head in at the correct height and the running martingale is not in effect.

When the horse raises its head above the desired point, the running martingale adds leverage through the reins to the bit on the bars of the horse's mouth. The leverage created by this pressure strongly encourages the horse to lower its head. A running martingale provides more freedom for the horse than a standing martingale. If a horse happens to trip on landing after a fence, the rider can slide the reins and the horse will have full use of its head and neck.

Because of this safety factor, the running martingale is the only style of martingale permitted for use in eventing competitions and horse racing. Show jumpers also prefer the running martingale due to the extra freedom it provides. Running martingales are also used outside of the competition arena on young horses being trained in the Saddle seat, western riding, and many other disciplines.

A running martingale should be used with rein stops, which are rubber or leather stops slipped onto the rein between the bit and the ring of the martingale. They stop the martingale from sliding too far forward and getting caught on the bit or on the buckles or studs that attach the reins to the bit. Some sanctioning organizations will disqualify a rider if rein stops are not used with a running martingale.

Answer 6

Your horse's head won't look different just by putting the running martingale on.  It's not made to force their head down.  If/when your horse throws his head up, it puts pressure on the reins to keep him from getting his head up very far.  But your horse has to properly respect pressure on the bit for it to do any good in the first place.  A martingale is not meant to help with headset, it's meant to keep a horse from throwing its head.

Answer 7

Are you using it because it came with your saddle?  Why are you using one at all?

It's very detrimental to your horse use these types of gadgets when you don't know what you're doing.  I would stop using it immediately.  If your horse pulls the reins by sticking his nose out, then you should reevaluate your hands and riding.