How to get a martingale stop on?

[Crazy_cat_lady]

how on earth do you get one of these accursed things on?

I've just tried with oh having a piece of garden twine threaded through each end and him pulling it and me shoving the piece of martingale through but we could barely part it and he's not weak

Its currently soaking in boiling water to try and soften it a bit but anyone got any secret tricks?

Why don't they just come with one on?! They need them so just make the ruddy things with them on!

As an aside he was terrified of the new bridle i got him as it dared to creak a bit where it was new ? I'd gone for the flash option as the Mexican grackle was oos for ages. Typically as soon as it arrived the grackle came back in stock. I think the cavesson part was too thick and he's funny about them any way as the beard he won't let me trim catches in them... so I'm returning it and getting the grackle instead. I'm guessing if I sit and play with it while watching TV it should supple up a bit- its synthetic leather

 

[cobgoblin]

The hot water trick is all I know.. Sorry.

 

[IrishMilo]

I gave up and used two hairbands to keep it together instead. So much easier...

 

[Snow Falcon]

Hoof pick, hot water and lots of swear words!

 

[cobgoblin]

I'll never try to put a bit guard on again either.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Blood, sweat, tears, swearing, lots and lots of swearing! Then give up and either don't use anything or use duct tape!

 

[mavandkaz]

Hot water is the only trick I know. Used to work but I wonder if the new stops are stronger as just could not do it on my most recent one.
Sj instructor suggested vet wrap, and it's worked a treat. Although first wrap (black) eventually came unstuck, and I only had hot pink available ?

 

[Roxylola]

Make 2 loops of baling string, reasonably long. Thread one through the stop so you have 2 loops and hook on to some immovable object - door handle works. Thread the other through the stop so you have 2 loops and put your foot through the loops. Adjust length of baling string as needed, should work, they are dreadful things to deal with though

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Make 2 loops of baling string, reasonably long. Thread one through the stop so you have 2 loops and hook on to some immovable object - door handle works. Thread the other through the stop so you have 2 loops and put your foot through the loops. Adjust length of baling string as needed, should work, they are dreadful things to deal with though

And the end result is the door handle comes flying off, the stopper pings off somewhere never to be found again until the dog chokes on it and you fall on your backside before being clunked in the head by said door handle ???

 

[Roxylola]

Always a possibility Elf ?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Me and my instructor did mine with a hoof pick and hysterically laughing

 

[Pippity]

Buy reins that already have stops on! (I just hacked the stops off mine, because I never use a martingale and they were annoying me. Shires Aviemore soft leather covered reins, according to the receipt.)

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

Between my foot wedged in the girth loop and myself and oh pulling on a piece of garden twine each side we have reach the following- please tell me this is right before I cry ? he thinks they are "ridiculous!"
why cant they just make them with the damm things on?!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Make 2 loops of baling string, reasonably long. Thread one through the stop so you have 2 loops and hook on to some immovable object - door handle works. Thread the other through the stop so you have 2 loops and put your foot through the loops. Adjust length of baling string as needed, should work, they are dreadful things to deal with though

Damn I thought I was going to be like some kind of worshipped problem solver.... then you came along ?‍
As above! String

 

[poiuytrewq]

Although my local tack place are now selling super cheap sillicon martingale and rein stops which are so stretchy it’s revolutionary ?

 

[Bruce17]

Not to be sexist but get a man to do it!

Spent about an hour trying to do my new one recently. Swore, cried, gave up. Husband came in and did it in about 10 seconds ?‍??

 

[greenbean10]

Try for hours
Nearly break fingers
Have a little cry
Give up
Google 'how to put martingale stop on'
Try soaking in water
Have a little cry
Break something
Give up
Sell horse

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

Thanks all! Please could someone just check my photo up thread and see if its on right?

If they were worth more definitely an idea for dragons den possibly a plastic one that clips together.

If id be on my own no way was I getting it on it was a struggle even with 2 of us definite case of blood sweat and tears and swearing

 

[Roxylola]

Looks ok

 

[COldNag]

I cheat. I cut it, put it on and then superglue it back yogether ?

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Not to be sexist but get a man to do it!

Spent about an hour trying to do my new one recently. Swore, cried, gave up. Husband came in and did it in about 10 seconds ?‍??

But only because you had stretched and loosened up the rubber stopper first!

 

[Baywonder]

That stopper looks okay to me OP - same as I used to put them on (with hot water, baling twine and a lot of swearing like everyone else!)

 

[Tihamandturkey]

Hoof pick, hot water and lots of swear words!

This ? you have to roll it on I find ?

 

[Tihamandturkey]

Bit guards - I make 4 small cuts on the inside circle (think quarters) and then they stretch over the bit rings ?

 

[chaps89]

I'll never try to put a bit guard on again either.

You can buy them with slits cut into them from the middle hole, makes it SO much easier to put on

Op - that looks right to me

 

[Shay]

I cheat. I cut it, put it on and then superglue it back yogether

That is revolutionary.....we've been doing it wrong all these years!!

 

[Red-1]

New silicon ones are revolutionary. Would never buy the rubber ones ever, ever again!!!

 

[Carlosmum]

Fairy liquid is my go to for this kind of job. Makes everything slippy and is easy to wash off.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I didn't even realise these thing were a thing when I bought a martingale for The Beast when she first arrived (tried to keep the tack the same at first). My friend was with my when I was buying it and was like "you need a stop" "eh?" says I. She proceded to find one and wrestled it on there and then in the shop. No idea how she did it now reading this thread! ? She must be a Wonder Woman on the sly.

 

[cobgoblin]

Bit guards - I make 4 small cuts on the inside circle (think quarters) and then they stretch over the bit rings ?

Did that in the end... Then just changed the bit, so it was just one of those wasted hour events as happen with bits of tack.