Martingale use

[Jacksie]

I’ve a fairly young horse who has darted forward with her head up when fresh out hacking. It’s only happened twice when she’s over reacted spooking and is usually a sensible sort but I don’t want this to become a habit so am considering trying a martingale. Im hesitant though as she’s the type to pull back when tied up if she panics and gets stressy if she feels she’s being held back or restricted. I know a correctly fitted martingale should only come into play when they raise their heads but don’t want to risk making accidentally creating other issues. Any thoughts and would you go for a standing or running? I’ve not used one on my own before.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I wouldn't go standing for sure. Ive never known anything react badly to a running but I'm not a fan of a standing Martingale really and for a horse that dislikes being restricted i think it may just be a bit much.

 

[Fransurrey]

I used a running for this. It didn't hinder him in any way and was just enough to prevent giraffe mode. He was still able to drink on rides and have his head on a gallop (I used it for fun rides/endurance stuff). Mine has the breast plate, too, so if I was to go up a steep hill or jump, I always have the neck strap (which sits closer to the saddle than a standard martingale from what I can see) to grab. I also cheat and have double ended trigger clips on mine, so I can just clip the breast plate attachments to the D rings.

 

[Goldenstar]

I am a big believer in using standing martingales on young horses when hacking to help in the circumstances you describe .
I much prefer them to running ones which alter the feel on the rien in particular if you need to use the opening rein method for steering which do have to on green horses .

 

[BMA2]

I would 100% recommend a standing martingale.

They are very misunderstood/under used

I use one for hacking on a horse. It is elasticated and only rarely comes into action but is there is needed.

I do jump in a running martingale so I'm not against them at all but for hacking I find if a horse gets wound up they can end up in a bit of a squabble with themselves especially if the horse is a tad fussy in the mouth

 

[LEC]

I wouldn't go standing for sure. Ive never known anything react badly to a running but I'm not a fan of a standing Martingale really and for a horse that dislikes being restricted i think it may just be a bit much.

Whereas I hate running and like standing... Mine either have nothing or a standing because they need a bit of help staying in the correct shape. Running martingales do nothing IMO and a lot of horses hate the pressure on the reins. A standing is black and white (either kicks in or doesn't) and doesn't touch the mouth. A running will not solve your issue. A standing should not cause issues unless its too tight.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

As above..a standing martingale for a few ride outs to stop the habit.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Oh, I stand corrected. I'm surprised at the replies.
I had one once, came with a horse who tended to randomly fling his head and leap forward, definitely wasn't elasticated anywhere and one day flinging his head up snapped the noseband and belted me in the face.


I'd always prefer running personally after that.

 

[Squeak]

I've got to admit I've always used running martingales too but it's interesting to hear peoples thoughts and in the future I would consider a standing instead.

Op for your scenario I would try a martingale. I always think of them like a seatbelt, they don't do anything unless they're needed.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I'm now kind of tempted to try one but at the same time I'd be nervous that my horse would freak out..... especially as they obviously come into play when the horse is already revved!

 

[Jacksie]

That’s what I’m cautious about as well poiuytrewq! I worry she may snap it or rear but am reassured with people’s comments and experiences so far. Would an elasticated one be better for some give? Or am I just overthink it?!

 

[Abacus]

As an alternative: a market harborough is, I think, better than a running martingale as it only operates when the horse puts their head up / too far out, and doesn't otherwise affect the feel of the rein. Compared with a standard martingale they have more flexibility, and as they act between the rein and girth they keep the head more in the 'correct' place rather than pulling it downwards. (And by loosening the rein you can give more freedom). I have found them extremely good for spooky horses in keeping control just at that moment.

ETA: I do also like a standing martingale, but would try a MH first

 

[Cortez]

I'm now kind of tempted to try one but at the same time I'd be nervous that my horse would freak out..... especially as they obviously come into play when the horse is already revved!

Does your horse tie up happily? If he’s used to feeling the restriction of being tied the he shouldn’t be worried by a standing martingale. Running martingales are used willy-nilly as standard issue on just about every horse here, and I hate them with a passion. They interfere with the feel on the rein and bit, more so for the horse than the rider, and create a pulley effect which increases the pressure on the horse’s mouth exponentially - and yes I know they are supposed to only come into use when the horse raises it’s head, but in practice most are not fitted correctly, and even the weight of the rings on the rein will have an effect. If you really need one, then a standing martingale is far preferable.

 

[ihatework]

It is very very rare (in fact I can’t recall the last time) I used a running martingale.

I use a standing martingale as standard on newly backed horses. Call it a seatbelt.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Does your horse tie up happily? If he’s used to feeling the restriction of being tied the he shouldn’t be worried by a standing martingale. Running martingales are used willy-nilly as standard issue on just about every horse here, and I hate them with a passion. They interfere with the feel on the rein and bit, more so for the horse than the rider, and create a pulley effect which increases the pressure on the horse’s mouth exponentially - and yes I know they are supposed to only come into use when the horse raises it’s head, but in practice most are not fitted correctly, and even the weight of the rings on the rein will have an effect. If you really need one, then a standing martingale is far preferable.

Pretty much yes. He's never broken away but he never gets quite into the state tied on the yard as he may ridden. A running martingale has been a huge help with him.

I actually dont know anyone who ever uses one these days, I honestly thought they were a really out dated thing.

 

[vhf]

I always backed and rode on with a 'naughty boy (girl!) strap' i.e. a loose standing martingale. Depending on the horse's nature, sometimes slightly elasticated, always long enough that they wouldn't feel it unless my nose was threatened... (I have mis-angled front teeth from an early occasion...). really not keen on running martingales due to the change in 'feel' but have used them when it seemed like the right choice. I always teach them to respond to a neck-strap pressure too as I want as many tools in my box as possible that don't rely on the mouth!

 

[Goldenstar]

As an alternative: a market harborough is, I think, better than a running martingale as it only operates when the horse puts their head up / too far out, and doesn't otherwise affect the feel of the rein. Compared with a standard martingale they have more flexibility, and as they act between the rein and girth they keep the head more in the 'correct' place rather than pulling it downwards. (And by loosening the rein you can give more freedom). I have found them extremely good for spooky horses in keeping control just at that moment.

ETA: I do also like a standing martingale, but would try a MH first

A market Harborough is a terrible idea on a horse out hacking
You can’t fully give it away it fundamentally changes the way the contact through the rein feels .

Young horses need to be moving freely forward having the horses rein attached to girth with a strap going through the bit with a device you can’t get loose is a bad choice .
The standing martingale delivers a clunk on the nose when the horse flings its head up the action is linked to horses action very directly that why they are so good when horses are being ridden away.
They give a very clear correction and the rider is not in charge it and horse knows that .
They also can work contain difficult situations which just with young horses you can’t manage everything sometimes stuff happens .

 

[The Xmas Furry]

A market Harborough is a terrible idea on a horse out hacking
You can’t fully give it away it fundamentally changes the way the contact through the rein feels .

Young horses need to be moving freely forward having the horses rein attached to girth with a strap going through the bit with a device you can’t get loose is a bad choice .
The standing martingale delivers a clunk on the nose when the horse flings its head up the action is linked to horses action very directly that why they are so good when horses are being ridden away.
They give a very clear correction and the rider is not in charge it and horse knows that .
They also can work contain difficult situations which just with young horses you can’t manage everything sometimes stuff happens .

I beg to disagree, I've very successfully used a MH on various animals over the years, inc a hefty cob, it soon realised it ended up leaning on itself, again on a cheeky pony that bogged off but the MH stopped things from escalating without the need to bit up.
As an assistant to rider on an animal that needs reschooling, it's a very useful bit of kit to use short term to help through an issue, even when hacking.

That said, I'd not use one on a youngster just starting out, but a standing instead.

 

[BMA2]

There is bad press around standing martingales and I really have no idea why?

I wonder if there are any good studies/diagrams out there that show the differences in how they work

 

[Goldenstar]

I beg to disagree, I've very successfully used a MH on various animals over the years, inc a hefty cob, it soon realised it ended up leaning on itself, again on a cheeky pony that bogged off but the MH stopped things from escalating without the need to bit up.
As an assistant to rider on an animal that needs reschooling, it's a very useful bit of kit to use short term to help through an issue, even when hacking.

That said, I'd not use one on a youngster just starting out, but a standing instead.

A draw rein does what a market Harborough does but does it much better as you can use the rein and have the draw rein loose .

However you need to be good with two reins to use a draw rein .

 

[Rowreach]

I have quite the collection of standing martingales, brilliant bits of kit and my go to for youngsters (lovely elasticated ones).

 

[poiuytrewq]

Stupid question. Elasticated where?

 

[Jellymoon]

This is so interesting to me because most people I know (mainly eventers) use running martingales if they feel they need one, and I’ve never seen or heard of standing being used specifically for young horses. Sometimes see them out hunting, but that’s about it. I do hear of people using draw reins temporarily on the ones that really stick their heads up.
I can see the theory re the standing, but I’m not sure I’d dare try one on a just backed youngster. However, I have only done a few young ones, and not had a major issue with them throwing their heads in the sky…one did it jumping and esp hunting, but a running martingale and time to calm down sorted that out without too much drama and he’s fine now. If I had a major issue, I might try draw reins as I feel I could release them if they panicked.

 

[Rowreach]

Stupid question. Elasticated where?

Mine are breastplate attachments so have a leather and buckle piece at the base, then thick elastic webbing between that and the leather loop for the nose band. I have another which is stretchy rubber.

 

[Jacksie]

Thanks for everyone’s responses. It’s been really helpful and interesting. I’d never really considered a standing martingale. As another poster said, you don’t see them often so good to get a better understanding of them

 

[lizziebell]

A draw rein does what a market Harborough does but does it much better as you can use the rein and have the draw rein loose .

However you need to be good with two reins to use a draw rein .

I was going to suggest draw reins, but thought I’d be shot down in flames !! I much prefer draw reins as they give more flexibility than a martingale and you can feel whats happening when you do need to use them, but agree you do need the skill.

 

[Goldenstar]

I was going to suggest draw reins, but thought I’d be shot down in flames !! I much prefer draw reins as they give more flexibility than a martingale and you can feel whats happening when you do need to use them, but agree you do need the skill.

I would not use draw reins on a young inexperienced horse out hacking i would always opt for the standing martingale .
A standing martingale does its job on it own no rein no action from the rider the horses get a correction when they put their head up .
Thats what’s so good about standing martingales they allow you to ride forward confident that it’s there if things go wrong .

I do use draw rein on more experienced difficult to hack horses , in fact I use them at time on my own who is a prize prat at times you don’t need to use the draw rein that’s its main benefit Sky hacks in a snaffle with caveson noseband I probaly could not do that without the draw rein sometimes .
Life with horses is often about the practicalities of staying safe its not a theoretical exercise.

 

[Cates123]

I've always been against draw reins, as most people seem to use them to pull a horses' head down, which I can't bear. However, my trainer suggested them with my young TB as we had some issues with over-excitement on hacks where he would get very high and tense - she suggested that draw reins would help encourage him to stay lower and therefore more relaxed. I've taken her advice and find them so useful on the rare occasion they're needed - I can gently encourage him to lower which does help him relax and the rest of the time I have them looser than the rein so there is no downward force. He doesn't need a draw rein to work correctly so it is just an 'emergency break' and I feel safer knowing I have that option (as GoldenStar says, sometimes we have to prioritise that). I've never used a standing martingale as I don't like the idea of something so static that I can't adjust once I'm on - but as I say, I've never used one so no experience of how it works in reality.

 

[marmalade76]

Cripes, a lot of hate for the running martingale! Funny thing is, I used to use a standing years ago and used to get the odd negative comment and dirty look for it!

I don't have a standing now but have popped a running on the old polo pony. Her head goes right up whenever we canter and I don't really know what to do with my hands, they just seem to lose the plot (yes, I'm totally inadequate, very rusty, have zero confidence and we're still getting to know each other). Having had a think about it, it occurred to me that polo ponies are used to working in standing martingales and perhaps she was "looking" for it to brace on anyway, I tried the running and if nothing else it kept my hands under control and cantering was much more pleasant.

 

[Goldenstar]

Polo ponies can certainly brace on standing martingale and will learn that’s a safe place to put their head.