I have had 2 trainers who I trust tell me I need a running martingale for my TB on CC. This should be the end of the conversation but I am hesitant. He is fairly green running BN. He sometimes uses throwing his head high as an evasion but he is a good soul and if I present him correctly, he will do what I ask. He is a nervous sort and I worry it may cause him more worry than it will help. Thoughts ? I know they are more common at upper levels but I don’t see them much at BN.
A running martingale is for safety and only does anything if the horse raises it’s head enough to be needed.
If the horse goes along perfectly for you the martingale won’t do anything when fitted correctly.
Correctly fitted the rings when pulled up should reach to the wither or at least 10 cm below.
There should not be a ‘v’ in the reins from your hand down to the rings and up to the bit.
Standard issue. I use them on basically everything, it’s my ‘neckstrap.’ Correctly adjusted it only works when the horse needs it.
William Steinkraus says in his book that a RM saves one out of every four rails in show jumping and always recommends using one.
I don’t consider it a “gadget.” my horses rarely engage it but when you need it, nice to have.
I felt that a the running plus a full cheek or D gave a bit more control with turning, etc…and was in preference to a stronger bit x-c. It is about as mild as you can get to up the control under faster conditions or more excitement.
Still, at that level, a controlled, hunters pace is more what you want, not a rush.
when exactly does he throw his head? I’m assuming his tack fits, teeth are good, etc.
Sometimes nervous, sensitive horses go a lot better in running martingales. When they throw their heads, the lack of consistency in contact can worry them, causing them to throw their head more, causing them to become unbalanced and crooked and more nervous in a sort of vicious cycle.
The martingale helps keep the contact more consistent if they do raise or throw their head, and many horses respond by relaxing and settling into the contact so it’s easier to help them stay straight and balanced. Running martingales work not so much by physically restricting the neck movement the way a standing martingale does … Rather, they help keep more consistent contact in a horse that tends to throw or raise its head.
when exactly does he throw his head? I’m assuming his tack fits, teeth are good, etc.
Sometimes nervous, sensitive horses go a lot better in running martingales. When they throw their heads, the lack of consistency in contact can worry them, causing them to throw their head more, causing them to become unbalanced and crooked and more nervous in a sort of vicious cycle.
The martingale helps keep the contact more consistent if they do raise or throw their head, and many horses respond by relaxing and settling into the contact so it’s easier to help them stay straight and balanced. Running martingales work not so much by physically restricting the neck movement the way a standing martingale does … Rather, they help keep more consistent contact in a horse that tends to throw or raise its head.
Awesome responses! I feel better about getting one. Thanks!
[QUOTE=Sticky Situation;8730792]
when exactly does he throw his head? I’m assuming his tack fits, teeth are good, etc.
Sometimes nervous, sensitive horses go a lot better in running martingales. When they throw their heads, the lack of consistency in contact can worry them, causing them to throw their head more, causing them to become unbalanced and crooked and more nervous in a sort of vicious cycle.
The martingale helps keep the contact more consistent if they do raise or throw their head, and many horses respond by relaxing and settling into the contact so it’s easier to help them stay straight and balanced. Running martingales work not so much by physically restricting the neck movement the way a standing martingale does … Rather, they help keep more consistent contact in a horse that tends to throw or raise its head.[/QUOTE]
Usually in between jumps when he is speeding up to breakneck speed and I am reeling him in.
In that case, he sounds like he may well be a good candidate for a running martingale! You may also be able to borrow one to try and see if he goes well in it, before spending the money on one … Although they are a fairly useful piece of equipment to have around anyway 
[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8730768]
I felt that a the running plus a full cheek or D gave a bit more control with turning, etc…[/QUOTE]I would NOT use a full cheek with a running martingale, after my horse turned his head and got the bit caught in the martingale ring! I was on him at the time, thankfully he let me untangle him without a panic.
Good point - never seen it, never heard of it, so must be rare. Used it for years.
Use a D instead. My favourite copper mouthed bit happened to be a full cheek.
a running martingale takes away some turning abilities on greener horses because you can’t really use an open rein they way you might…another way to fit it would be to allow the rings to reach the horses throat latch. I’ve never used the wither technique.
I guess that is a matter of perspective. Some people ride green horses with very wide hands and I can see that maybe being a problem there. I have never ascribed to that school of thought and I have never found a RM to interfere with steering ability at all with mine but different strokes. Not saying everyone should ride everything in a running, but I do most of the time. I skip it on my 12 year old sometimes but the young stock, yes.
A bib martingale will really reduce the play in your reins though they are safer. A trade off. I once had a horse catch its teeth in a martingale biting at a fly, ugly for a minute until I could calm him down, jump off and get him loose. Horses can hurt themselves on anything.
I felt the same way OP, until I took a smack to the face that permanently changed my opinion (and my nose somewhat) :lol:
I was also told by 2 coaches to use a running martingale. The way my horse goes doesn’t bother me, but clearly bothers others. When I tried it on him with a Pelham, he legit would shut down and stop and panic. It stressed him out, took it off of him immediately and he was much happier. He doesn’t toss his head, at least I don’t notice. He travels with a very upright position though. The odd turn he tosses a little but its not up and at you, its a shake with excitement IMO.
I’ve changed his bit with the new coach, he’s now in a Eggbutt French Link Snaffle, and he’s quite content in it. I tossed the martingale on him in my last lesson and I didn’t even notice it, he still did his usual antics, but he didn’t stop on the spot and stress like he did with a stronger bit.
I’ve used it on an OTTB that likes to throw his head, but that I’m realizing more and more is actually fairly sensitive… I’ve learned a LOT about being tactful and methodical and patient in my riding, rather than the panicky “omggetitdonerightnowwe’regoingtomissthefenceAAAAHHH” type that I’ve been in the past (thankful that he’s teaching me this lesson, haha). Anyway, I haven’t been riding in it recently, and I actually feel like he’s a little more relaxed without it. I wonder if maybe he just feels a little boxed in from all sides. When he feels he’s being constrained, he just stalls out about 4 strides before a fence, or throws his shoulder through a turn and basically won’t go where you’re asking.
In theory, he probably should wear one, but I’m trading out some head throwing for a less panicked horse. Who knows if that’s wrong or right. But purplnurpl’s post really made me think, because he turns so much better with a gentle, opening rein that gives him a place to go. If the running makes that less effective, maybe I was right to take it off.
[QUOTE=OTTBs;8730987]
I would NOT use a full cheek with a running martingale, after my horse turned his head and got the bit caught in the martingale ring! I was on him at the time, thankfully he let me untangle him without a panic.[/QUOTE]
Well, my gelding managed to get a tooth (lower canine) hooked on the martingale ring. Talk about terrifying. He went to bite a fly and next thing I knew we both went straight up in the air. Reared so high I slid right down his apple-bottom on my feet as if it was planned. Accidents will happen no matter the equipment :winkgrin:
He was fine but it was hair-raising unbuckling everything as fast as I could; he was very shaken. Thank god it was just a regular martingale and not one of those god-awful 5-point breastplate attachment ones.
OP, definitely put your guy in a martingale. They don’t engage until the horse engages them and you have a lot more control with a head down than up.
My only complaint I have with them is that people usually ride in TOO SHORT 'gales - no one seems to know how a properly fitted martingale looks like - the rings should reach all the way up to just before your horse’s throatlatch. Some adjustment may be necessary if you have a horse with a special neck. Go any shorter and you’ll start getting rein aid interference when you use the reins.
I had one of those incidents. My old jumper bit at a fly and looped his jaw in the martingale arm, then panicked. I was riding in a Joe Fargis clinic…standing waiting for my turn to jump a gymastic and suddenly my horse went straight up and then plunged around the ring like a lunatic. Figured out what was what and hopped off, I quieted him and loosened his girth to get him free because he was pulling hard against it, rolling his eyes and ready to blow, and couldn’t get the tension down any other way but from the back. But we got him free without incident. After about five minutes we were able to rejoin the clinic. Joe said my martingale was adjusted fine, it was just one of those things. Horses!
Still, I use a RM all the time. That kind of thing…it just happens. Though if that horse hadn’t retired I would have bought him a bib martingale, I think. One of the solid leather ones. If I had another horse prone to chest biting it is something I will remember!
I use an opening rein all the time, it is fine. Some people ride super green horses with very wide hands, it might interfere with that…but a normal opening rein, no. I mean, jumpers don’t pull back to turn, I assure you. my trainer would have a fit! 
