What is the correct way to fit a running martingale ?

[jemmeg]

As the title says, my friend and I have different thoughts on the correct way so would welcome your comments I think her way is too tight and is restricting the horse she thinks my way it not tight enough as it only comes into play if my horse is on one. I may be wrong, and bow to those with more knowledge than I but I thought the purpose of a running martingale is that it only comes into play when needed.

 

[amandathepanda]

Firstly I would fit the neck strap so that you your hand in between the neck strap & the neck when the hand is at a 90 degree angle to the neck. Next I would pull the rings of the martingale up so they are level with the withers while still leaving a comfortable gap on the strap between the front legs - another hand at right angles to to horse between horse & strap is about right. For some horses you may need to shorten the martingale another hole or 2 depending on the horses conformation etc as taking the rings to the withers is often fairly generous. The martingale definately should not come in to action unless the horse starts to raise his head.

 

[KatB]

Regarding the length of the martingale, when the horse is stood "normally" at rest, your rings should be able to reach the horses gullet (where jaw meets neck

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[amandathepanda]

[ QUOTE ]
Regarding the length of the martingale, when the horse is stood "normally" at rest, your rings should be able to reach the horses gullet (where jaw meets neck )

[/ QUOTE ]

I was always taught that that was the method of fitting a standing martingale! That when it is attached to the noseband the 'slack' should be long enough to be pushed up into the gullet.