If a horse I am hunting needs a martingale I use the type that helps correct/control the issue. Sometimes it’s a standing martingale and sometimes it’s a running martingale. I prefer to use the least amount of equipment so there’s less chance of getting caught on things.
The closest to the “worst wreck ever” I avoided was using a full cheek snaffle (with keepers) and a standing martingale. The lower piece of the full cheek got caught in the loop part of the standing attachment on the noseband. My mare swung her head around at a fly, the bit piece hooked into the loop, mare went to straighten her head and was immediately trapped. She started backing and turning - I quickly saw the problem and hopped off to correct. Go figure. Standing stock still during a check at the hunt and I had a train wreck. Stay safe!
