Standing Martingale

[sammyantha]

RI suggested using a standing, rather than running, martingale to stop missy getting her noggin high and evading all contact. I cannot afford yet more gear for her (till August anyway), so will it be OK to just tie up the straps of my running martingale to make 1 strap? Either way, how short should it be? Can you show me some pics if you have any.

Also can the standing be worn when out hacking, jumping etc, as well as schooling?

[Nik-n-Kia]

I had a standing martingale for Megan when we were showjumping as she had the habit of pellmelling it into the jumps tooclose and knocking them down.

I schooled her in it then umped her in it and it didnt cause her any problems.

Just my experiences though.

Nikki xxxxxxx

[showjumper-zoe]

Yes it is fine to make a standing into a running

[iloveshearer]

A have a friend who puts a flash strap through the two loops and then attatches it to the noseband to make it a bit longer because i think it'd be too short otherwise.

[showjumper-zoe]

A have a friend who puts a flash strap through the two loops and then attatches it to the noseband to make it a bit longer because i think it'd be too short otherwise.

Thats a good idea but you could lengthen the loop that attatches to the girth:)

[sammyantha]

Brilliant, thanks :D Does anyine have any pics of what length it should be?

[CurlyWurlyRach]

i just threaded the metal loops through the noseband, probably better to put some baler twine on it or something incase horsey panics...i dunno.
its not the best of ideas to jump in one tho as the horse cant strech to regain balance if they get into trouble. i would never risk it personally.

[Sparklie]

Twig wears one all the time. I did take it off for a while and he nearly knocked me out with cantering on a hack. I use mine to jump but some people don't like the idea as Rach said it can interfere with the horse if it's too tight.

The strap should be able to reach up to the top of the wither. Twig's is a good fit...fairly loose if anything.

Photos...

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/SparklieH/P1010365.jpg

Twig showing that it works!
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/SparklieH/twiggallop.jpg

Just to show how loose his is when jumping
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/SparklieH/twigprofjump.jpg

[iloveshearer]

Thats a good idea but you could lengthen the loop that attatches to the girth:)

That means the neck strap would have to be too far up the neck though doesn't it!

[showjumper-zoe]

That means the neck strap would have to be too far up the neck though doesn't it!

Not if you move the martingale stop:)

[iloveshearer]

Mine's not like that though it's a martingale attatchment on a breastplate so you can't adjust that part. It'd be safer to use something else in between the standing martingale and the noseband anyway because the metal rings aren't likely to break off if the horse got into trouble.

[showjumper-zoe]

I see what you mean, but a normal standing wouldn't break easily either as thats a leather loop that goes around the noseband.

I don't like standings for jumping really as it makes them jump like a cat (off all 4's)

[joey_olop]

I don't like standings for jumping really as it makes them jump like a cat (off all 4's)

Agree!! I only use mine when I hack out so when he gets excited & puts his head up to the point of no control I know I have a little safety there.

[sammyantha]

Sparklie,

Thanks for the pics. I was using a running martingale tied in a knot before and the length was far too short judging from what I have seen here. Will experiment this afternoon and take some piccies so you can all let me know if it's correct.

[showjumper-zoe]

Agree!! I only use mine when I hack out so when he gets excited & puts his head up to the point of no control I know I have a little safety there.

Thats what I use a standing for on my mare.

[sammyantha]

How's this? I just put the noseband strap through the rings of the running martingale.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z15/thedawnbringer/Photo-0003.jpg

[Sparklie]

it looks short.
do the straps reach right up to the wither when they're not attached to the noseband? if not then it's too short and could cause problems.

[Izod1360]

The horse I ride now always wear a standing martingale. I have some pictures!!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a306/Izod1360/Horses/Cosmoandjumping003.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a306/Izod1360/Horses/warmday005.jpg

[sammyantha]

Hmm no I don't think they do. I don't have anything to lengthen it with though. Will ask my fellow liveries if they have a spare flash noseband or something and see if that works. However, the first RI I had took the running martingale you see in the pic and tied a knot in it :eek: That's why you can see kinks in the leather.

[showjumper-zoe]

It's ok to tie them in a knot

[iloveshearer]

It's ok to tie them in a knot

Not really if it's making it even shorter!