what does a martingale actually do..?

[eeyore]

this is really random question that's been in my head for well.. ages!
all mad ponies that i have ridden over the years have had them - i'm assuming it has something to do with that?

but i don't see how a few straps of leather to the girth, reins and round his neck could affect control or anything!

something please put my brain at rest :)

also.. what are the point of their chestnuts? (on their legs, not the colour lol)

[cvb]

a running martingale (assume thats what you mean) is supposed to come into action just as the horse reaches the point at which he would be out of control...

i.e. most of the time it has no action - but if horse raises head to point that your contact would mean nothing (in wrong place etc), then it acts to stop the head going any higher.

This is all assuming it is correctly fitted.

Chestnuts - are what is left of one of their toes :D

If I remember right - 3 toes are fused into hoof, one is ergot and one is chestnut.

[JOJOBA]

Martingales stop the horse getting it's head up above the point of control.
Chestnuts are, I believe, the leftover of a toe? Someone correct me if Im wrong, but... hang on... I'll google for a picture...
...........

xxx

Edit - cross posted with you cvb!

[colouredcrazy]

I've got no idea about the chestnuts :D

Martingales stop ponies from putting their heads up out of control. Having experienced a ride with the ponies ears in my face, it's not nice!

The standing martingale works by putting pressure on the pony's nose. Some pony's dislike it hough, and then they usually start rearing - not good!

The running martingale works on the mouth, and to some effect on the poll if your bit works on the poll. Most ponies seem fine in it.

The bib martingale is a cross of the irish martingale and the running martingale. It stops you from opening the reins too much and it stops the pony putting its head up to much. Also, the pony can't chew on it, as some youngsters are inclined to do.

The irish martingale is a leather strap between 4-6 incehs long, with a metal ring at each end. It's purpose is to stop the rider from opening the reins too much, and is often used by jockeys.

The martingale is something of a quick fix. I'm not really one to speak as I use one on my horse, as I mainly hack out and he throws his head about when he gets excited. NOTE: don't overtighten or undertighten a martingale. On the former, the pony may feel restricted, and you cause more problems. It can also encourage bucking. On the latter, the horse could get its leg caught in it, which is not a fun experience.

Ellie

[JOJOBA]

cant find a pic...
it's something like this I believe:

Horses walk on the equivalent of our middle finger. The fingers to each side became unnecessary, and the little finger and thumb became the ergot and chestnut?

Its something like that - because our ancient horsies had toes.

xxx

[eeyore]

lol! i had no idea about the chesnuts being their "toes"!
how odd.. o.O

[Kerry Claire]

I had no idea either!

Can they feel through the chestnuts? I'd never heard of it before but I'm sure someone mentioned on here about the farrier trimming them if they grow to big. Is that right?

[can't_decide]

yeh chestnuts can be trimmmed when they get too long - my old YO used to do her shires with one of those enormous pincer things!! her's used to grow like an inch a month though, my beasties don't seem to grow . . . .

[JOJOBA]

You can chop or peel them off apparently - esp for the showring.

Chestnuts
Chestnuts are horny growths located on the inside of the horse's legs, above the knees and below the hocks. The size and shape of the chestnuts are unique to each horse, much the same as fingerprints, and have been used by some associations to further identify horses.
http://web.vet.cornell.edu/public/cuerp/markings/chsnut1.jpg
The 'chestnut' behind the fetlock is actually called an ergot (ERR-GO) which was essentially their 4th toe which is now obsolete. It can be peeled off or cut off without hurting the horse, same with the chestnuts.
In the early horse Eohippus he had 4 toes, similar to a dog but on the end of every pad on the toe was a small horny hoof (like 4 little mini hooves). Then the 4th toe eventually became obsoltete as the other 3 bore more weight. This creature was called the Mesohippus. I believe that the 4th toe is the equivalent to the ergot on a horse. As for the other toes, the middle toe eventually became the more dominant one in the species called Merychippus and eventually into the specius Equus the 2 toes fused to the canon bone and became the splint bones.
xxx

[derby day]

hey!

my lad has always been ridden in a hunting breastplate and a running martingale (only if in a snaffle though)

Running - When the horse puts his head up beyond the point of control the martingale rings put presure on the reins which in turn puts pressure on the horse bars. I think though if a horse is going severly out of control this makes them worse!

Standing - is a strap which goes from a (cavesson only) noseband down to the girth, it stops the horse putting his head up high at all so musnt be used for jumping, i was going to try one then i read on here it can make them rear or buck, so decided against it!

Bib- like the running but with one piece of leather joining the rings together, i suppose it stops the reins been pulled too far apart and the horse putting its hoof through it.

Irish - mainly used by jockeys so if they are thrown the reins wont fly over the horses head! i think thats all of them! :D

[eeyore]

thanks for the replies!
i was just curious about the chestnuts the other day when i was brushing his legs and noticed a layer of some of them had fallen off! like our skin layers i'm assuming?

i didn't even know they grew layers on the frog either!
was REALLY weird to see a giant gap on one his feet! (since i'm very very paranoid about his poor old feet :()