Martingales?

[jo342]

Hi all!
I was just wondering if someone could explain to me how to put on a running martingale, and a breast collar on an english saddle. My saddle slips back so my trainer wants me to use a breast collar soon and I have no idea how to put one on. Same with the martingale, something about her throwing up her head? She's going to help me, I just wanted some idea of how to do it. Thanks much!
Jo :)

[Bay Mare]

Mmm ... if the saddle is slipping the FIRST thing that I would do is to get the fit of the saddle checked! It's one thing having a small slip going up a huge hill but if it's happening enough for your trainer to comment on it then it's certainly worth checking out.

Running martingale:

http://www.cleesaddlery.co.uk/acatalog/runningmartingale.jpg

http://www.toplinesaddlery.co.nz/images/products/thumbs/martingale_running_ctd.jpg

Single strap with 'loop' on end - goes between the horse's front legs and the girth passes through it to hold it in place

Double straps on the other end - one rein goes through each of these loops so that they 'split' in a 'Y' shape

Big circular 'strap' - goes around the horse's neck (can be used as a grab strap!)


I find it best to put the neck 'strap' on over the head at the same time that I put the reins over the head.

Get your instructor to show you how it should be adjusted :)

One point when you're leading with a martingale - don't bring the reins over the head, if you want to do this then you need to take the reins out of the 'double straps' and knot them so that they don't dangle.


Hope that makes sense, I haven't had my morning medication (Starbucks Venti Latte) yet :)

[Eli_Jay]

my saddle slips back a bit when jumping, so i have my gelding in a breastplate with martingale rings.
A breastplate is generally fitted to the saddle D's as well as girth, where as a martingale is not fitted to the saddle D's. A martingale will not stop you're saddle slipping back, but a breastplate with martingale rings will.
Hope that helps.

[Bay Mare]

Oh yes .... never finished! Martingale! A martingale is going to stop the head from going too high BUT it isn't going to stop the horse from throwing it's head! The best thing to do is to try and find out WHY he's throwing his head and work from there.

Putting the two together it's possible (though impossible to say definitively because we don't know you or your horse) that the saddle isn't fitting properly which could be causing the head tossing!

[jo342]

my saddle slips back a bit when jumping, so i have my gelding in a breastplate with martingale rings.
A breastplate is generally fitted to the saddle D's as well as girth, where as a martingale is not fitted to the saddle D's. A martingale will not stop you're saddle slipping back, but a breastplate with martingale rings will.
Hope that helps.


Hi again! Thank you both for replying! It helped a lot. That's when my saddle slips back a bit too, is when I'm jumping. Anyways thanks for your help!
Jo