Running martingal???

wildcowgirl247 · 05-16-2008, 09:43 AM

Hi,
I tried a running martingal on my mare the other day and i didn't know how to adjust it. Is it suppose to be tight and lower on the chest or are the rings suppose to come up to the head? So basicly it doesn't give you any extra control its just there to help the head not to hit you? And do you HALF to have rein stops i have a D-slow twist and it has nothing to catch on.

cutter123 · 05-16-2008, 10:05 AM

hi! the martingale should be adjusted so the rings, when u hold them up on the side of the horses neck, come about halfway up. this will give the horse freedom to move his head and not be getting pressure all the time, but be snug enough to be effective.

rein stops are very necessary. the martingale rings can catch on the snaps or loops where your reins attach to the snaffle. i have seen horrendous wrecks that could have been avoided by using rein stops. always always use rein stops with a martingale or training fork!

good luck

wildcowgirl247 · 05-16-2008, 10:17 AM

Thanks this helps alot

JKetsche · 05-16-2008, 11:26 AM

I have always heard (from numerous reputable sources) that if you run the martingale up the horse's windpipe it should reach the throatlatch (if that makes sense). If it doesn't, it's too short.

Incidentally, if you have a hard time finding one that's the right size (for my horse, the WB was too big, the horse size too small), you can add a snap to the part that attaches to the breastplate. It's cheap, adds 1.5 inches (depending on the snap), and means no buckling it on/off your breastplate--just snap it on!

magic_rider · 05-17-2008, 02:47 PM

I am sure martingales should reach the horses throat. I have had instructors make mine slightly shorter but if they don't reach your horses throat at pony club you fail gear check. Rein stoppers are necessary, the rings can get caught in the buckels on the reins and hit the bit.

05-16-2008, 09:43 AM	#1
wildcowgirl247 Full Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 25	Running martingal??? Hi, I tried a running martingal on my mare the other day and i didn't know how to adjust it. Is it suppose to be tight and lower on the chest or are the rings suppose to come up to the head? So basicly it doesn't give you any extra control its just there to help the head not to hit you? And do you HALF to have rein stops i have a D-slow twist and it has nothing to catch on.

05-16-2008, 11:26 AM	#4
JKetsche Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 1,832 Images: 3	I have always heard (from numerous reputable sources) that if you run the martingale up the horse's windpipe it should reach the throatlatch (if that makes sense). If it doesn't, it's too short. Incidentally, if you have a hard time finding one that's the right size (for my horse, the WB was too big, the horse size too small), you can add a snap to the part that attaches to the breastplate. It's cheap, adds 1.5 inches (depending on the snap), and means no buckling it on/off your breastplate--just snap it on! __________________ "Please contact the Administrator if your date of birth has changed."

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05-16-2008, 10:05 AM	#2
cutter123 Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: California Posts: 387 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 10	hi! the martingale should be adjusted so the rings, when u hold them up on the side of the horses neck, come about halfway up. this will give the horse freedom to move his head and not be getting pressure all the time, but be snug enough to be effective. rein stops are very necessary. the martingale rings can catch on the snaps or loops where your reins attach to the snaffle. i have seen horrendous wrecks that could have been avoided by using rein stops. always always use rein stops with a martingale or training fork! good luck

05-16-2008, 10:17 AM	#3
wildcowgirl247 Full Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 25	Thanks this helps alot

05-17-2008, 02:47 PM	#5
magic_rider Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,087 Images: 39	I am sure martingales should reach the horses throat. I have had instructors make mine slightly shorter but if they don't reach your horses throat at pony club you fail gear check. Rein stoppers are necessary, the rings can get caught in the buckels on the reins and hit the bit.