Someone mentioned in passing that you can use rein stops on driving horses. Do you use running martingales as well? What else would you use rein stops for with driving tack?
As you can tell, I am fairly ignorant about driving equipment, but I do want to learn about it. Any insight would be much appreciated.
Fine Harness classes allow running martingales, so a rein stop is probably a good idea there. These could include various Breed showing with Driving classes.
Carriage classes do not allow running martingales under ADS that I know of, nor are they allowed in Combined Driving competitions. Not seen with antique vehicle turnouts, because it would not be traditional. Not sure about old Racing carts, might have running martingales, but those vehicles are not commonly seen hitched (at places I have been) either.
Guess it would all depend on the vehicle and setting, if a running martingale would be considered traditional/correct to be included.
Running Martingales have always been more of a “gimmick” item to me. Horse has not changed when you remove them. So you are still at square one, need to get another method to convince horse to modify his issue (often too high a head position), so he changes body position while being used. Training over forced body postion with the gimmick.
When I read the question I assumed you were asking about the “B” reins on this site, http://www.drivingessentials.com/reins.php.
I have some of “those” reins and love them. I don’t have the little thingies that stop the rings on a martingale from sliding up to the bit.
Rein stops should be used whenever you are using a running martingale, wether riding or driving. When you drive in a snaffle bit you usually use a running martingale. It is no more of a “gimmick” than a curb bit (such as a liverpool) with a curb chain. A snaffle bit with running martingale is the correct appointments in most fine harness and breed show pleasure classes, and in most American historical photographs you will see when horses are hooked to a buggy or runabout they are using the same.
Thanks so much for the information. I had no idea that running martingales were used while driving or when/that they might be considered correct turn out. Very cool.
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