A martingale question - standing v. running

[Bogie]

One thing that hasn’t been mentioned is that the standing martingale only impacts the horse if it raises his head. The moment the head is lowered, the pressure releases.

With a running martingale, there is always some pressure on the reins from the rings. It may be slight, but it’s there unless you are riding on the buckle. That is why many trainers don’t recommend using a running martingale with a leverage bit.

Personally, I will use a standing with a horse that throws it’s head as I’d prefer to keep my teeth. I restarted an OTTB who was part giraffe and she needed to learn that her head didn’t belong in my lap.

I use a running when I’m looking for a bit more control but don’t want to go to a harsher bit. It also helps if your horse is tossing his head. I always hunt with a running martingale.

[Appsolute]

[QUOTE=Bogie;7471603]

With a running martingale, there is always some pressure on the reins from the rings. It may be slight, but it’s there unless you are riding on the buckle. That is why many trainers don’t recommend using a running martingale with a leverage bit.[/QUOTE]

Not true for a properly adjusted running, the rings shouldn’t be that short. When you have a straight line from bit to elbow the martingale should not come into action at all.

Here are several photos of horses galloping XC in a running martingale, as you can see, it has no action on the bit.

Horse 1

Horse 2

Horse 3

Horse 4

Horse 5

In fact, when I Googled “horse cross country gallop” it was hard to find a photo showing tension on the running martingale (even though many were running in one).

William Fox Pitt here has his adjusted a bit shorter, its making a tiny bit of contact.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

[QUOTE=Appsolute;7471635]
Not true for a properly adjusted running, the rings shouldn’t be that short. When you have a straight line from bit to elbow the martingale should not come into action at all.

.[/QUOTE]

I think Bogie’s point was that event the weight of the rings on the reins adds a hair of pressure…even with slack in the running. Most horses will not care…I happen to own two that do…at least for now they do.

[Appsolute]

I suppose, are these same horses sensitive to the weight of the rein? Like plain reins yes - rubber too heavy? If there is any contact, that would cause more pressure than the hanging ring and strip of leather.

[Jumper_girl221]

I have a mare that for some reason can’t stand a running martingale, adjusted loosely. Odd because she raced in one (why I tried to use it) but she got extremely upset in it (ended up bailing, which I NEVER do). She goes either in a copper nugget D or a HS Duo depending on her mood She is not bothered by rubber reins.

She’s a sensitive flower though, and the oddest things bother her, like her forelock tickling her ears so I have to band it before my rides. And no a jumpers bonnet doesn’t help because it thumps her forehead and I think the echo from her empty brain scares her She doesn’t mind it if I roll the bonnet under the browband, but then she looks absolutely ridiculous.

I’ll also mention a pelham is a heck no. She does quite nicely in a standing, but I rarely need it…just like it for a handle if she puts in a extra big effort. If she’s having a fussy day or is grumpy, she’ll root or flick her nose out to try and get the reins away from me, particularly when extra fresh which the standing does help with. I dont’ use it tight in the least bit.

Running martingales are permitted in the hunters, effective April 1, 2014.

From what I remember about the USEF regs on martingales, its no restriction for classes < $1,000, Running and standings only for $1,001-$5,000, And runnings for $5,001+. I think there’s an “except for young horse jumper classes” in there somewhere off the top of my head.

Personally…I rarely use a running martingale. I either use a standing martingale (adjusted properly) or nothing…more frequently nothing, mainly because princess mare is a PITA to mount and removing the standing before the hack class can get annoying.

I personally would not consider standing martingales a gadget…they are just there. If you don’t need them, they sit passive, and when you do they are there until they give an immediate release. I’ve never seen them hinder a horse in anyway over a fence, when I’ve seen a wreck and the horse “happens” to be wearing one, I honestly think the majority of the wrecks would have happened anyway. Now, I have seen a spill where I do think the standing + idiot owner was at fault. Local jumper class, group of girls everyone eye rolled at. Had their (bragging about) 8 months pregnant paint mare in a huge pelham, and a standing freakishly tight (pony sized with multiple knots to make smaller). Kid jerked the mare into a tight turn, she lost her hind end, couldn’t balance herself and fell.

I don’t blame the martingale, I blame the morons riding her.

I’ve seen numerous horses trip, slip, take bad distances etc and recover just fine despite the martingale. I’ve seen multiple horses do the same and fall without ones…falls jumping do happen.

[amastrike]

[QUOTE=purplnurpl;7470573]

here is a crappy fit for a running! omg.
http://www.compassionatehorsetraining.com/sitebuilder/images/TrainingMartingale2-306x202.jpg[/QUOTE]
Okay, so I was looking at the website that came from… Person is both nuts and uninformed. “Running Martingales are like Draw Reins more socially acceptable sibling.” What? On what planet? The only thing they have in common is that they prevent the head from going too high. A German martingale is draw reins’ more socially acceptable sibling, absolutely, but certainly not a running martingale. They also think that sliding side reins/vienna reins/longeing draw reins are better than side reins.

[purplnurpl]

[QUOTE=Noctis;7471428]
That is actually, if I’m not mistaken from the time I spent showing Arabians, a training martingale, similar to this: http://w.mawebcenters.com/static/ecommerce/140/140147/media/catalog/category/multiringpic_1.jpg with less rings. Used for teaching headset, not used as a running martingale (never over fences etc). So not applicable for the discussion! And when you google “arabian training martingale” the picture purp posted comes up in the top few :)[/QUOTE]

meh, I do’t know about not applicable.
It’s just a running martingale fit really low.
Western folks have that sort of tool as well and they call it a fork.
but it’s all the same.

A training martingale I would assume has all of the extra rings.

[Bogie]

[QUOTE=bornfreenowexpensive;7471775]
I think Bogie’s point was that event the weight of the rings on the reins adds a hair of pressure…even with slack in the running. Most horses will not care…I happen to own two that do…at least for now they do.[/QUOTE]

Yes. That was my point. And I’ve ridden with a few trainers who don’t want you to use a running if you are using a leverage bit and one rein for that reason. Fine if you’re riding off of two reins.

[kinscem]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGY9Q_Uz-GQ
The horse in this video has no chance to jump properly - death grip on the reins and no release causes this horse to toss head - it is 2 feet jumps right?
It is sad to watch!!
This particular horse doesn’t need a martingale - it needs a better rider!

[Noctis]

[QUOTE=purplnurpl;7472091]
meh, I do’t know about not applicable.
It’s just a running martingale fit really low.
Western folks have that sort of tool as well and they call it a fork.
but it’s all the same.

A training martingale I would assume has all of the extra rings.[/QUOTE]

A western style training fork IS a short running martingale. An arabian training martingale is essentially a breastcollar with rings, so a very different action, and ALWAYS having an action on the reins as opposed to a properly adjusted running. Completely different animal.