All of a sudden I am seeing everyone put BOTH reins through the running martingale ring - when did this start and why??
I have not seen this. I wonder if it is that someone “big” did this, so now others want to recreate the greatness by mimicking them.
I can’t see how two reins can slide properly through the rings.
That’s very silly.
New one on me…agree mimicking something somebody did somewhere without a clue to what the h*ll it was supposed to accomplish.
Beezie rides Cortes C with both reins through the ring: http://www.globalcaballos.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Beezi-Madden-CORTES.-Foto-de-la-Global-Champios-Tour.jpg
I’d hardly call her someone without a clue.
What IS Beezie’s 2nd rein, though? Draw rein? Cortes is in a full cheek snaffle. I’m so confused!
[QUOTE=comingback;8408224]
Beezie rides Cortes C with both reins through the ring: http://www.globalcaballos.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Beezi-Madden-CORTES.-Foto-de-la-Global-Champios-Tour.jpg
I’d hardly call her someone without a clue.[/QUOTE]
no…but doesn’t make it correct. Running two reins (to a gag bit) through a running martingale is just not smart at all…and should NOT be copied.
[QUOTE=bornfreenowexpensive;8408236]
no…but doesn’t make it correct. Running two reins (to a gag bit) through a running martingale is just not smart at all…and should NOT be copied.[/QUOTE]
Oh it’s a GAG, I see.
ETA, I’m looking at that picture and I feel like I need a magnifying glass because I still honestly can’t tell what that 2nd rein is. I don’t think he IS in a gag.
I also haven’t had coffee yet.
[QUOTE=ybiaw;8408232]
What IS Beezie’s 2nd rein, though? Draw rein? Cortes is in a full cheek snaffle. I’m so confused![/QUOTE]
It looks liked a rigged up gag. They made a gag action but with a much harsher bit than you can typically buy (as the bit looks like a twisted wire full cheek).
The rein is attached to a cord running though the bit ring to the bridle–headstall…just not through holes in the bit like a traditional gag. So it might put more pressure on the head rather than pull the bit up like a traditional gag…but it would still pull the bit up.
[QUOTE=bornfreenowexpensive;8408242]
It looks liked a rigged up gag.[/QUOTE]
It does. I just zoomed in.
I had never noticed before, but it looks like it is something Beezie does when she has two reins.
[QUOTE=comingback;8408224]
Beezie rides Cortes C with both reins through the ring: http://www.globalcaballos.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Beezi-Madden-CORTES.-Foto-de-la-Global-Champios-Tour.jpg
I’d hardly call her someone without a clue.[/QUOTE]
Beezie and the other truely elite level riders may use whatever they want, know what it does and when it’s needed.
I was referring to those who see a big name using something and rush to copy it because it looks cool and/or the horse won and conclude they will look equally cool and/or win if they use it.
Those are clueless. OP says she is seeing “everyone” putting both reins thru the rings so suspect those are who she is seeing. Copycats.
[QUOTE=sixteenhands;8408281]
I had never noticed before, but it looks like it is something Beezie does when she has two reins.
Vanilla
http://www.calgaryherald.com/cms/binary/6754813.jpg
Simon
http://www.calgaryherald.com/cms/binary/6900796.jpg[/QUOTE]
Not for nothing, but having seen her compete all three of these horses on the regular (in person)for the last few years, they aren’t the simplest rides, and perhaps this helps her with them. I think someone with the technical skill that Beezie has, as well as the educated team on the ground, can make these concious decisions without the disasterious consequence that your typical average joe jumper rider would have. On another note, I have also seen Anne K. ride with both reins through the rings on a couple horses.
That being said, Ill stick with the only the snaffle rein through the ring for myself thanks 
I don’t see the point of doing that with any of those bits. At that point, why not just use a bit converter and one rein?
[QUOTE=IPEsq;8408576]
I don’t see the point of doing that with any of those bits. At that point, why not just use a bit converter and one rein?[/QUOTE]
Because it would completely change the action of the bit. For whatever reason, it would seem that Beezie wants to have the action of the running martingale available to her with both the snaffle rein and the gag/curb rein.
Pretty sure Beezie can ride in whatever she wants as long as its FEI legal. For other mere mortals who wish to try this scenario, I can imagine a mixed message when the curb rein hits the martingale, particularly if the shanks are longish. Best left to the high end pros.
That’s a quick gag…just a gag that slipped over poll easy on easy off.
I’ve often wondered about which rein gets the ring. In a pelham, the snaffle rein is to raise the head, the curb to lower it. Why is the martingale on the snaffle rein? Or both?
With a gag, the purpose is to raise the head, and the direct rein is when you don’t need that. Why put the ring on the gag rein or both? Seems like it should be only on the direct rein.
I’ve often confessed to being an old fart, but when I was a kid, running martingales on pelhams were on the curb rein. Can someone explain the mechanics of the current ways to me?
(I’m well aware that the elite riders have both reasons for their choices and the skills to make it work. I m just curious about the physics and mechanics of it all)
Only the direct or snaffle rein should ever go through the ring of a running (I really don’t care who a person is). The sole purpose of a running is to come into effect when a horse throws their nose above their ears (basically) to give leverage on the rein so that the bit will still act on the bars of the horse’s mouth. That’s it. It can also help (especially eventers) keep the reins from getting over a horse’s head when you have slipped them going down a large drop.
[QUOTE=sixteenhands;8408281]
I had never noticed before, but it looks like it is something Beezie does when she has two reins.
Vanilla
http://www.calgaryherald.com/cms/binary/6754813.jpg
Simon
http://www.calgaryherald.com/cms/binary/6900796.jpg[/QUOTE]
I’m a little surprised only one rein in each picture has a stopper on it.
