Tell me about martingales.....

[Rhein]

...please :). Running martingales specifically. And why, in your opinion, one should or should not use one.

Why do you use one? Or not.
What are their good points? And bad?
What should they be used for?

Thanks :)

[CurlyWurlyRach]

I use a running. i dont usually need it but when i do its there, its loose enough not to come into effect unless i need it.

It doesnt stop her throwing her head up but it discourages it and as soon as she puts her head down it releases the pressure on the reins.

The main this i use it for is as a neckstrap - i tried a stirrup leather and it was forever shooting off over the ears :rolleyes:, at least the martingale is attatched to the girth to hold it on.

[Keket]

Why do you use one? Or not.
I use on one Coquette. It just reminds her to stop being a giraffe, on the odd occasion she needs it.

What are their good points? And bad?
Good for jumping because she can still stretch to use her neck, and it isn't harsh if it's fitted properly. As long as the head is in the region of control, it doesn't come into play.

What should they be used for?
They should be used on horses that like to raise their head way beyond the level of control, and they should be adjusted generously. They are not to strap the head down into a pretty frame, and they should not be used with bits that raise the head, as this defeats the purpose of the running martingale.

[ClaireBear_nz]

My pony mare uses one for jumping.

Why do you use one? Or not.

My wee mare tended to get very excited when jumping and would stick her nose in my face, so I used a running martingale as it gave me more control over her front end. Shes older, and is hyperactive.

What are their good points? And bad?

I think their best point is they only work when the horses head is above point of control, as long as they're fitted properly. The bad point is really that people abuse them.

What should they be used for?

To prevent horses heads from coming too high, especially while jumping etc. However, if possible, only as a short-term method (However, I've been jumping in mine for years :o)

[Siogfinsceal]

I use a running martingale its fitted loosely enough so it just comes into effect when I need it. I have a very excitable jumping mare who had a ewe neck when I first got her and went round with her head in the sky.
She now rides correctly and has a nice neck but is too clever for her own good. If she is ridden without a martingale she soon realises that she can get her head beyond the point of control, cross her jaw and bolt - can be a very scary experience! Even with a pelham or double bridle if I have no martingale she does this and as her head is so high up its as if I have nothing in her mouth and pulling her makes zero difference.
On the school horses most have a martingale as it also helps new riders to balance if they need a neckstrap to hold - its there in front of them. I have also seen it used to 'finish' some horses. Some big horses can look very plain or odd without a martingale on!

[xXSundanceBayXx]

Why do you use one? Or not.
I use one because i have trouble with her head coming up to high and sometimes she rears and also to help my brakes.

What are their good points?
they help keep her head below the point of evasion

And bad?
You can become dependant on them so they should only beused for short term or just events where the horse may misbehave. Also in dressage you can't have them or a grackle noseband so I find that hard if she hasn't had alot of work the day beofre/warming up.

What should they be used for?
keeping the horses head below evasion but without putting constant pressure on, so only when they need to.

[mayoguinness]

what is one and whats it for?? Sorry about me asking what every piece of tack is, I've only ever ridden Mayo in a rope halter/hackamore:o

[KateWooten]

err.... Mayo .... errr, you know, it's not necessarily a Good Thing to be quite so ignorant of everything you don't agree with. I mean, for a start, how do you know you don't agree with it, if you don't know what it is ?

I don't shoe - but I know what a shoe is ... else how would I know I don't want to shoe ?

I think you would be well advised to learn how to use a search engine - try google for example - and have the gumption to go find out things for yourself for goodness sake. It's amazing to me how sheltered you claim to be. In fact I'm aghasted.

[julia gulia]

what is one and whats it for?? Sorry about me asking what every piece of tack is, I've only ever ridden Mayo in a rope halter/hackamore:o


Hmmm Just in case Mayo's head ever meets with your nose, you might want to be prepared by reading the above posts which go into some detail on what it is and what it is for!

[mayoguinness]

err.... Mayo .... errr, you know, it's not necessarily a Good Thing to be quite so ignorant of everything you don't agree with. I mean, for a start, how do you know you don't agree with it, if you don't know what it is ?

I don't shoe - but I know what a shoe is ... else how would I know I don't want to shoe ?

I think you would be well advised to learn how to use a search engine - try google for example - and have the gumption to go find out things for yourself for goodness sake. It's amazing to me how sheltered you claim to be. In fact I'm aghasted.

Well I'm trying to now aren't I:p Hell I've proberly seen one and in my early 6 months of traditional riding ridden in one, just never needed to know the terminoigy;) Ok...just didn't see the harm in asking on here:rolleyes:How wrong I can be sometimes:eek:Glad now I've held back when wanting to ask about all the peices of tack I've never heard of before:o

btw I do know what a shoe is....and a bit...and a bridle:p:D

[dilaika]

as long as martingales are loose...they can't hurt. I actually use a standing martingale (attaches the noseband instead of the reins), because that is what my horse goes better in. It's just an aid. You have the be carefull though...you can't be too reliant on it (for instance, if you want to show, many divisions don't allow a martingale), for my horse, it just reminds him not to pull his head way and run at the jumps. Most of the time it's loose enough that it isn't even being used...but for those times that he takes flyer and starts to run and pull his head way up...it's a reminder.

At points I also used a german martingale on him (a german martingale splits like a running martingale, runs through the bit and then attaches to the reins, kind of like a pulley), this however was only when I was using dressage on him and only for a short period of time, when we were first re-training him some, as an aid to help him get his head down abit (but not tight enough that we were "tieing his head down")

[*-crazy-chaz-*]

Why do you use one? Or not.
I sometimes use a running martingale for my mare when i jump her, just to stop her from putting her head in the clouds lol :p
What are their good points? And bad?
They are good for horses who put their heads up alot, but if a horse has got a martingale on and is fighting it you should take it off - they could hurt themselves.:o
What should they be used for?
running martingales main purpose is for jumping & xc. Standing martingales are normally used for flatwork.

[Styric]

I've used one for the simple fact the mare I was riding would break your nose without it :p It only came into effect when she reached nosebreaking height, everything else I am expected to ride her out of.