Standing Martingale vs. Running Martingale?

Question

Well from a previous question I had posted I have decided to purchase a martingale but I have heard so many things what is better for jumping? Standing or Running. I had ordered a standing but I dont want my horse to get hurt. I am not jumping anything big the biggest being 2' I am mainly using the martingale to get her head down so she can move correctly at trot and canter. She goes around with head up and its not bad but she hollows her back and then we get problems. What is going to work better??

Answer 1

You use a martingale to prevent your horse from putting his head up high where he can get more control of you the rider. The only one to use is a running one as a standing is extremely hard and dangerous on him. If your horse loses his footing anywhere he can do nothing to help himself with a standing one on. Jumping in one is just crazy as the horse works on memory and lifts his head up well before a fence which he couldn't do with a standing martingale on. When she works in a better frame she won't need one at all. It does nothing to pull her head down. By all means get a running martingale but please don't even think of a standing one they are really not used anymore.

*** A good way to get your horse to strike off into a canter is to place a pole at a corner facing into the center of the arena  and as you come up to the pole tell her with a half halt that something is going to change and then ask for a canter just as you get to the pole and she should strike off around the corner on the correct leg. Hope this helps. An idea may be to lunge her with a de gough or a chambon (Sorry forgot name and spelling) These contraptions attaches to the bridle and the girths and make it more comfortable for your horse to move in a long and low outline rather than high with a hollow back

*** Also I should add that the correct fitting of a running martingale is to hold the rings up as far as his gullet when he is standing normally. Then slip the reins through. Any lower and you are 'pulling his head down' which you really don't want to do as this gives wrong muscle development and is altogether wrong.

Answer 2

My horse is the very same, although he has done a lot of jumping he rarely likes his head to be down.  The worst possible thing to do would be to use a standing martingale, (especially when jumping)  this allows no freedom of the head which is needed for the horse to relax and extend in its canter.  The running is definately the most appropriate for you - i also use this.

Answer 3

The running martingale.

A standing martingale holds the horse's head in a fixed position and the horse needs to drop and raise his head to jump correctly.  By using a running martingale, you can adjust his head position when you feel its neccesary.

Answer 4

A standard martingale, appropriately called a "tiedown" in western lingo, serves no purpose other than to provide a barrier for a poorly trained horse to hit it's nose against in the effort to keep the head from coming up too high.

If your horse is moving with a hollowed back and nose in the air you should be working on teaching her to collect and balance before you jump her.

A running martingale is at least the lesser of the two evils in that it does allow some use of your hands to work with bringing the head down, but it won't compensate for your untrained hands which I assume you have since you aren't able to achieve this without use of devices.

EDIT: The only way to determine whether one is too heavy for a given horse is by knowing the weight and structure of the horse and that of the rider...what makes you think you are too heavy to ride this horse?

In response to your edit on collection...it is a basic and should be taught before jumping...I know many of what I call the "jumping mill" brands of riding schools ignore those basics, but that doesn't make it right.

Answer 5

Running Martingale

Answer 6

Running martingale for sure! A standing martingale is used as an aid in keeping the horses head at a desired position and does not give. So when you go over a jump your horse would not be able to stretch if needed and would pull muscles or make it very unpleasant/painful for her. Eventually she might associate that with jumping and you might have a worse problem to deal with. A running martingale allows you to choose the head position and you can gradually work with her on the flat until you get your desired head set. When you jump, the running martingale will allow you to give her her head and slowly work towards your desired goal without hurting her. I would suggest taking lessons or getting coached on using the martingale so you and your horse have a good experience with it. Using a running or standing martingale without know what you are doing is not a good idea. Best of luck!

Answer 7

You should never jump in a standing martingale - it's fixed and rigid and stops the horse from being able to move his  head - hence bad jumping form at the very least - possible nasty accident due to him not being able to stretch out at the worst.

The running martingale attaches to the reins by metal rings ( hence "running" and so the action is dynamic and can be released by the rider if necessary.

The standing martingale acts without any input from the rider as it is fixed directly to the noseband. I doubt that it would really help in getting her head down - just give her something to brace against even more and build up those under-the-neck muscles that you really don't want.