Running Vs Standing Martingales

[olivia]

Last weekend someone said to me that they didn't like running martingales because they interfere with the connection with mouth of the horse.

As the person who said it is someone who knows a LOT more about that sort of thing than me I thought I'd run it past you guys too (rather than just dismiss it!)

I use it for jumping only for two reasons - mainly because Tilly does sometimes raise her head beyond the point of control so that she can rush the fences and partly because I know that running martingale can slightly "dull" jabbing her in the mouth if I get a bit left behind. Now I've learnt to control her speed with my body and weight, and my position has got a lot more secure and feel confident to slip the reins if I do get left behind, so it's coming into action less and less, but I still wouldn't feel confident jumping without it. I should say that it is correctly fitted and only comes into action when her head really rises beyond control.

I've never liked jumping with a standing martingale because of the issue of horses not being able to stretch forward if they need to.


What do you all think?

Olivia

[valerie n scout]

Scout needs a running martingale he does much the same as Tilly by the sounds of it and I must admit when he puts his head up really sharp, he has come into contact with my nose....ouch!
so am For running, someone else might dissagree, am ok with that x

[harleydales]

I use a running martingale too with Harley in times of extreme excitement!!! Yes, I suppose if the horse throws his head right up you do lose the connection, but by the time the head is that high up you've lost it anyway, regardless of martingale!!

I agree, running martingales should only come into play in more extreme circumstances, and if the horse is going along in an outline and listening/ working on the bit then the martingale won't come into play at all. A standing martingale however does restrict the horse a lot more and as you say, means it can't stretch.

That's just my opinion, and others might disagree, but I find the running martingale a great help when Harley is in ''barge and be in front'' mode!!

[maggie]

I was always taught that the standing was for the horse's head and the running for the rider's hands.

What I mean is that the standing martingale stops the horse throwing his head about to the extent that the rider can get bashed in the face or raising it so that he's above the control of the bit. The running martingale accentuates the action of the reins, giving better control and steering.

I think with all sorts of tack, we need to choose whatever both horse and rider finds safe and comfortable.

[SuzieP]

A matter of using the right kit for the problem I'd have thought rather than one versus the other.

Maggie's explanation is really helpful.....