Is It Wrong To Use A Martingale For My Benefit?

[a+e]

Amy has always been ridden in a running martingale simply because she came with it.
Her old owner said she goes the same with or without it and that she didnt always use it, mainly did for competing.
I have been wondering lately whether she really needs it on or not. I cant say that its ever really come into play since ive had her, but she can be spooky/nervous sometimes and i feel a bit 'safer' having it there just incase.
Is this wrong to keep it on even if she doesnt need it and its more for my benefit.
Would she notice much difference having it on or not? and do horses act/ride differently with or without them?
Sorry for all the questions, just curious.:rolleyes:

[horse__obsessed]

a pony i used to ride went in a much nicer outline with one on, it wasnt a forced outline and the martingale did little if anything to help, she jsut went nicer in one

If you dont need it TBH I would take it off, as I put one on my old pony simply for the neckstrap, and when i took it off he was worse about sticking his head up than he was before

[jaydevon]

is it standing or running??? id advise giving yr horse a try without it in all situations, if its a running and you like the security of the neck strap try just a stirrip leather around the neck, u may actually find your horse goes better without

[laceyfreckle]

Amy has always been ridden in a running martingale simply because she came with it.
Her old owner said she goes the same with or without it and that she didnt always use it, mainly did for competing.
I have been wondering lately whether she really needs it on or not. I cant say that its ever really come into play since ive had her, but she can be spooky/nervous sometimes and i feel a bit 'safer' having it there just incase.
Is this wrong to keep it on even if she doesnt need it and its more for my benefit.
Would she notice much difference having it on or not? and do horses act/ride differently with or without them?
Sorry for all the questions, just curious.:rolleyes:

no advice just thought i'd mention that i'm pretty sure Amy and PJ were seperated at birth ;) let me know what you find works in all ways :p

[marsden]

i'm riding skyla in a breastplate and martingale at the moment, just purely for my benefit. Once i get to know her more i will take it off. But i don't see any problem in it as long as your comfy :D

[puzzles]

Hmm, isn't a matringale used for the rider's benefit anyway - whether in an attempt to gain extra control, etc.
If it doesn't really make a difference then I would do away with it. i think schooling and etsblishing a trusting, respectful relationship between you both would be a better long term 'anser' than any piece of equiptment.

:-)

xx

[wildponies]

I disagree, if the martingale isn't coming into play anyway and is not restricting her (unless head carriage gets too high.. which is the only instance in which it should come into play) then i think leave it on, if it is your safety blanket then why remove it? It is there for decorative purposes only with regards to pony.. but to you it could mean everything!

[a+e]

The only time she sticks her head up is when she sees a 'monster' ahead.
But the martingale doesnt stop her from doing this anyway:confused:

[a+e]

laceyfreckle_ i know what you mean:D
Is yours a section D too? as im told this is why shes such a big baby sometimes:D

[laceyfreckle]

laceyfreckle_ i know what you mean:D
Is yours a section D too? as im told this is why shes such a big baby sometimes:D

nope he is a connemara x possibly arab but i do know what you mean about the sec D's.....put it this way he acts like one;) (and before anyone says anything i actually quite like sec D's:D)

[Ms Kitty]

I disagree, if the martingale isn't coming into play anyway and is not restricting her (unless head carriage gets too high.. which is the only instance in which it should come into play) then i think leave it on, if it is your safety blanket then why remove it? It is there for decorative purposes only with regards to pony.. but to you it could mean everything!

I agree with Wildponies on this. If it is fitted correctly it only comes into play when needed and won't affect the horse otherwise in any way.

Nina x

[Pink's lady]

What she said;)

The only time she sticks her head up is when she sees a 'monster' ahead.
But the martingale doesnt stop her from doing this anyway

Sounds like it's not tight enough as it is, so having it on is having no effect on her at all. If it makes you feel safer there's no harm in that.

[CurlyWurlyRach]

curly has one - i need it hacking and jumping but i keep it on all the time as the neckstrap comes in very handy when she throws a strop.

[nani]

Hi,

A martingale is only useful to horse or rider when it's correctly fitted. It was designed to stop hunters raising their heads and rearing when out chasing, so if your horse still does this, and you don't want him to, punch more holes into the girth strap and make sure it's doing it's job, otherwise what's the point?

Nx