Erm , sorry for being a bit thick...

S

Sarah1

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 February 2006
Messages
2,273
Visit site
...why would taking a running martingale off make the horse work into a contact?
I posted about my 5yo not wanting to bring his head down and work into a contact on Friday. Last night I took his running martingale off and he was like a totally different horse! He didn't work in an outline 100% of the time but there was a vast improvement!
He was a complete t**t also but I don't think that had anything to do with the martingale!!!!!
wink.gif
 
That's probably it then! He's in a Myler Low Ported Comfort Snaffle with hooks so perhaps the martingale was restricting what I was asking for?!
Sorry to everyone who posted to advise me - I forgot to mention he was wearing a running martingale too! I don't explain myself very well sometimes
blush.gif

Also I didn't think that would make a great deal of difference, sorry guys!
 
I think that the problem with running martingales is that they often break the line of contact and pull down, making the horse throw it's head up! I've never really valued them for anything tbh.

Partoow explained the principle much better on another thread!

When you apply the rein it is with the arm bent making a straight line from the elbow through the lower arm with your fingers wanting the contact to be held in the bit rings [ i always say that the only reason we have reins is that our arms are'nt long enough to hold the bit rings] this understanding of the contact is fundimental in developing the horses desire to want to connect to the hand , your aim being that both you and the horse are holding the weight of the rein in stillness.

The use of the word stillness is often mistaken for blocking. The hand being pushed down to force the contact.

In terms of physics , Newtons 1st law is 'Action and reaction are equal and opposite ' so you push your hand down to counteract his head up he will put his head up more. Keep the elbow in line with the bit , thus maintaining connection not increasing or decreasing the contact.


It sounds to me that you probably have a very nice natural feel for the contact and that the martingale has been interfering. You've taken it off and your horse has appreciated it
smile.gif


I always try and let my horse TRAIN ME in things like this
laugh.gif
 
I guess that would depend on how you ride and how you carry your hands - if you carry them high and the rein is bending through the martingale loops then I think it could muffle some of the sublety of your signals (well wipe them out completely really). Signals like an open hand in a turn, or a closed contact up the neck cannot be as accurate
If your martingale is loose and you carry your hands lower, it may make no difference at all, especially with a loose ring.

I stopped using any redundant rigging 20 years ago, don't have a problem with putting on a running for XC or hunting, but never for schooling (personal preference and happy to debate it..I don't have all the answers)
 
Hhm interesting.

Well you see she goes better if I carry my hands low, however I am told I am pulling her down if I do that. So the RM might well be interfering then with the contact if I carry my hands properly.

Might be worth ditching it for a try!

Thanks for the information.

Hb
 
That is so interesting and something I never even thought about! Thanks!
Fancy that, I might have a nice natural feel, I do hope so!
smile.gif
I've been on a real downer about my abilities recently and all along it could have been that damn martingale!
crazy.gif
mad.gif

Thanks all for your input!
smile.gif
 
I use run mart for hacking but not schooling - and only hacking as he throws his head around and nearlly gave me s nose bleed - hope to take off soon for hacking though as he is doing it less and less.
 
I use a running martingale for jumping and hacking where we will be cantering/jumping as he gets FAR to excited and I dont want to go to a stronger bit - he is in a loose ring snaffle.
I was always taught to fit the martingale so that in the correct working position it is not pulling the reins down, only if they throw their head up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top