I appreciate Sarah's correct explanation of fitting a martingale. The cardinal rule is a straight line on the reins from the horse's bit to the rider's elbow. However, I strongly disagree to use this piece of equipment for trailriding! For a safe ride, horses should be encouraged to lower their heads to negotiate tricky obstacles like a log jam or water crossing. The horse must be able to see where he is putting his feet! Too often, I see riders using a tight rein, essentially forcing their horse go blindly over an obstacle. The rider should do her homework with basic obstacle lessons, to learn to trust the horse to take care of everything on the ground. Horses know best where to place their feet. The rider's role is as a confident leader, planning the path. Getting tangled up in a tiedown or any kind of martingale would be DISASTROUS!
Umm.. You didn't actually explain why or when to use a martingale.. U just said how to adjust it.. Most of the benefits you listed can be achieved with just a chest strap or breast plate.. The only reason u gave for martingale is more control, but didn't explain how it gave more control...
hahaha how do you keep the strap of the martingale from flipping up and getting caught in the horses mouth? cause that totally happened to me the first time I used one.
...Or, instead of relying on tack/gadgets/stronger bits/etc., you could actually take the time to work on the kind of partnership with a horse that creates a quiet, trustworthy and trusting mount. It is FAR safer, in the long run, to have a horse that looks to you for leadership when something scary happens (or when the horse perceives that something scary is happening), than it is to have a horse that feels the need to make the decisions for himself (run, jump sideways, etc.) in such circumstances -- and you just hope to god that your tack/gadget/strong bit/whatever saves you. I have a horse whose nature it is to be an extremely reactive, spooky, sensitive guy, but the many hours we put into building that relationship has saved my hiney over and over again, both on the trail and when jumping in the arena. No bit or martingale in the world could stop him when he was losing it (believe me, I tried plenty!), then I realized that I was trying to wrestle with the SYMPTOMS of the problem, but failing to address the problem itself. We had done plenty of "training" (he was doing flying lead changes, winning classes, etc.), but none of it addressed how he was feeling about what he was doing and his concerns about the leadership of the person asking him to do it. It took a serious adjustment in my way of thinking about the horse and about training, but it made all the difference in the world. Got to the point where I could ride this same horse bridleless over courses and in a soft leather sidepull (no bit, no martingale) on trails -- and I only needed that to stop him from grazing on the way! When you realize that this was a horse who actually broke my nose by hitting my face with his head during one of his "episodes" (IN a running martingale, by the way), and who broke my tail bone by bucking incredibly hard, you will understand that I have been there, done that. Address the relationship. Ride the mind. That's where your safety really resides.
blkgryphon No matter what, horses might spook even if you try to calm them down. Especially if they have been abused or neglected. She is obviously using a plain noseband with a simple eggbutt snaffle (one of the softest metal bits). Some horses have just been allowed to develop bad habits. They can be for safety too. If a horse throws his head up, they can hit you in the head. I personally ride my mare in a simple noseband with a loose ring oval link snaffle, a standing (now running) martingale, and a stick for when she balks. Some things actually help; I am switching to a figure 8 noseband not only because she has crossed her jaw and tried to avoid the bit, but because I have read they are more comfortable and make breathing easier. All equipment has a purpose.
blkgryphon, honestly do you talk to your horse in such a sanctimonious tone? I imagine not. Then why do so to another human being? Did you take the time understand person who made this video? Communicate with your horse with understanding, but with your fellow man or woman with contempt?
I appreciate Sarah's correct explanation of fitting a martingale. The cardinal rule is a straight line on the reins from the horse's bit to the rider's elbow.
However, I strongly disagree to use this piece of equipment for trailriding! For a safe ride, horses should be encouraged to lower their heads to negotiate tricky obstacles like a log jam or water crossing. The horse must be able to see where he is putting his feet! Too often, I see riders using a tight rein, essentially forcing their horse go blindly over an obstacle. The rider should do her homework with basic obstacle lessons, to learn to trust the horse to take care of everything on the ground. Horses know best where to place their feet. The rider's role is as a confident leader, planning the path.
Getting tangled up in a tiedown or any kind of martingale would be DISASTROUS!
Umm.. You didn't actually explain why or when to use a martingale.. U just said how to adjust it.. Most of the benefits you listed can be achieved with just a chest strap or breast plate.. The only reason u gave for martingale is more control, but didn't explain how it gave more control...
You didn't actually explain why or when to use one though.
Such a beautiful horse and great video.
hahaha how do you keep the strap of the martingale from flipping up and getting caught in the horses mouth? cause that totally happened to me the first time I used one.
I wanted to buy this exact breastplate. I wanted to know what sizing would fit a morgan that is right at 15hh or just below that
great video .
...Or, instead of relying on tack/gadgets/stronger bits/etc., you could actually take the time to work on the kind of partnership with a horse that creates a quiet, trustworthy and trusting mount. It is FAR safer, in the long run, to have a horse that looks to you for leadership when something scary happens (or when the horse perceives that something scary is happening), than it is to have a horse that feels the need to make the decisions for himself (run, jump sideways, etc.) in such circumstances -- and you just hope to god that your tack/gadget/strong bit/whatever saves you. I have a horse whose nature it is to be an extremely reactive, spooky, sensitive guy, but the many hours we put into building that relationship has saved my hiney over and over again, both on the trail and when jumping in the arena. No bit or martingale in the world could stop him when he was losing it (believe me, I tried plenty!), then I realized that I was trying to wrestle with the SYMPTOMS of the problem, but failing to address the problem itself. We had done plenty of "training" (he was doing flying lead changes, winning classes, etc.), but none of it addressed how he was feeling about what he was doing and his concerns about the leadership of the person asking him to do it. It took a serious adjustment in my way of thinking about the horse and about training, but it made all the difference in the world. Got to the point where I could ride this same horse bridleless over courses and in a soft leather sidepull (no bit, no martingale) on trails -- and I only needed that to stop him from grazing on the way! When you realize that this was a horse who actually broke my nose by hitting my face with his head during one of his "episodes" (IN a running martingale, by the way), and who broke my tail bone by bucking incredibly hard, you will understand that I have been there, done that. Address the relationship. Ride the mind. That's where your safety really resides.
Sometimes tack can be used as tools to help train your horse (: It isn't cheating.
blkgryphon No matter what, horses might spook even if you try to calm them down. Especially if they have been abused or neglected. She is obviously using a plain noseband with a simple eggbutt snaffle (one of the softest metal bits). Some horses have just been allowed to develop bad habits. They can be for safety too. If a horse throws his head up, they can hit you in the head. I personally ride my mare in a simple noseband with a loose ring oval link snaffle, a standing (now running) martingale, and a stick for when she balks. Some things actually help; I am switching to a figure 8 noseband not only because she has crossed her jaw and tried to avoid the bit, but because I have read they are more comfortable and make breathing easier. All equipment has a purpose.
medicanatural
Well said !!!!
blkgryphon, honestly do you talk to your horse in such a sanctimonious tone? I imagine not. Then why do so to another human being? Did you take the time understand person who made this video? Communicate with your horse with understanding, but with your fellow man or woman with contempt?
The running martingale in this video is too long, it is doing absolutely nothing!!! lol
Nope, you're just using it wrong. It's meant to prevent the horse from whacking you in the face, not keep the head down.
It just looks like another thing you put on your horse that could cause problems if you get dumped off.