Alternatives to a martingale that runs between the legs?

SuperCoblet

SuperCoblet

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My loan horse has sarcoids between his front legs which means i cant use a martingale, however I took him on a funride and almost got headbutted multiple times! He throws his head when hes excited so could really do with a martingale but can't put anything between his legs... any ideas would be fab.

Thanks :)
 
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Hmmm that's tricky. I would think the only alternative would be something that runs to the sides of his girth, like low side reins. Not ideal when ridden, especially on a fun ride and definitely not if jumping. Perhaps you could experiment with different bits to see is something that encourages the head to lower might discourage him - a pelham, perhaps. How bad are the sarcoids? Could you pad a martingale with some sheepskin?
 
I had a breast plate where the two leathers with rings that go on to the reins came from the middle of the breast plate and then there was the part that went between the legs, so I just removed that part as they were all separetly put together if that makes sense, where did i get it just searched breast plates on the net if i remember correctly,
 
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An Irish martingale?
 
The 5-point martingale is a really good idea. It might work even better if you connect the clips (see cptrayes' picture) to the bottom 2 rings at the side, rather than under the neck, as the bit under the neck will have less stability if you take out the strap to the girth. you would need the extra rein stops. Does that make sense? Hard to explain...
 
The five point breastplate without girth strap might help a bit but I suspect he'll still be able to throw his head pretty high when only tied down to the shoulder. Definitely better than nothing though..
A bit with a curb chain like a pelham should help to bring his head down when he's evading the bit by throwing his head if you've got problems with control.
Irish martingale won't stop him throwing his head but would at least prevent him chucking the reins over his ears if he's tossing his head really violently. The five point harness would solve that problem too.
 
shannonandtay said:
I thought an Irish martingale stopped the reins from going over the head used in racing and eventing.
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Your right It does. I dont ride in a martingale as my horses dont need one but I ride in an irish one so reins wont go over their heads.

5 point is probably your best bet but I dont think it will be as good as a normal martingale as it will move a bit but hopefully will stay put enough to do the job.
 
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smellsofhorse said:
Should the martingale not be touching the skin any way?

The only point it does is where the girth loops throu do un assuming the sarcoides are here as you are able to use a girth?
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Yes however when the horse pulls it will hit his sarcoids. He's not mine so can't remove them and owner said they'll just come back so left on vets advice.

Thanks for the replies everyone... How about a fairly loose standing martingale from a breast girth? American riders jump ect in one?x
 
How about a lungie bungee, know I don't know if you could ride in one, and there are a few different types, but the two I'm thinking of one is a electic string type thing that goes from the saddle at the girth points, though the bit and over the head. The other one (this one I'm really not sure if you ride in it or not) but you have a bit of webbing that joins the bit rings together, then from there an length of elastic goes though a ring at the back if the webbing and to the girth points, but it allows the sides to slide so you could in theory move the horses head side to side without it having a fixed point.

Or use draw reins (lightly if you know how to use them correctly) but attach again to the girth points.

I may get shot down for suggesting these, I really don't know if they would work for you but thinking abit outside the box then the other posters.
 
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