Why do horses need martingales?

A martingale is a piece of equestrian tack designed to control a horse's head carriage and act as an additional form of control besides, for example, the bit. It prevents a horse from throwing its head so high that the rider gets hit in the face by the horse's poll or upper neck.

Does my horse need a standing martingale?

Standing martingales are standard operating equipment, even on horses that don't actually need them. In competitions, the standing martingale is part of the “look” and people believe a horse looks odd without one. However, for most people, the choice of martingale, or even whether to use one, is a question of function.

What is the point of a running martingale?

Running martingales help give the rider extra control by discouraging the horse from raising its head beyond the point that the bit works correctly in the horse's mouth. It works by stabilising the reins and applying downward pressure on the mouth via the bit and reins when the horse raises its head too high.

Are martingales cruel?

Martingale collars are specifically designed not to be cruel. Unlike choke collars, you can set the limit to which the collar can close when your dog is pulling, so that it will never cause them serious harm. But a Martingale collar is just a tool, and like all tools, it can be used in a positive or a negative way.

Do martingales help with rearing?

The standing martingale is worn to prevent the horse putting their head and neck above the point of control, or if they toss their head excessively whilst being ridden. Additionally, it can help prevent a horse rearing too high. It works directly on the horse's head, via the noseband.

Running Martingales: When, Why and How to Adjust

What's the difference between a running and standing martingale?

Running Martingale has two Y-shaped "forks" having Rings at the end through which the reins pass whereas Standing Martingale just has a single strap with a loop through which the noseband passes. Running Martingale gives much more freedom to the Horse therefore it is used in Horse Riding.

How tight should a standing martingale be?

A standing martingale, when adjusted correctly, should touch the middle of the horses neck underneath, but not the throat. A standing martingale should never be used to tie a horse's head down, and not so tight the horse leans against it.

Are martingale collars good for training?

They Are Effective for Training Purposes

As luck would have it, the adjustable loop on a martingale collar tightens when pulled against and loosens when the tension stops. This allows your hound to associate discomfort and tightness with tugging and pulling. Hence, you easily establish good leash behavior.

Can martingale collars be left on?

No, martingale collars should NOT be worn all the time. Because of the martingale's tightening function, martingales can become a choking hazard if left on unattended dogs.

Are martingale collars OK?

Although martingale collars are safe, the loose design and dangling ring does have a higher chance of getting caught on things. For that reason, dogs should always be supervised while wearing martingale collars.

Can you jump a horse in a standing martingale?

It is not recommended that a standing martingale should be used for jumping as it may restrict the horse. The running martingale attaches to the girth and then passes through the horse's front legs before splitting into two straps with a ring on the end which the reins pass through.

Why use a breastplate on a horse?

Most horses that use a breastplate do so because of their conformation, their job, or the need to help their rider stay put in the saddle. Large shoulders and narrow ribs can force a saddle to slip back no matter how tight the girth is. Your horse's job often dictates the need for a breastplate.

Why does my horse shake her head when ridden?

Headshaking behavior is thought to be caused by overactivity of branches of the trigeminal nerve that supply sensation to the face and muzzle. A horse's behavioral reflex causes him to flip his head, snort or sneeze, rub his head, or take evasive action.

Are standing martingales good?

Many will argue a standing martingale adds to the aesthetics of a horse. Where it sits helps break up the horse, depending on the horse's build. Some will argue a standing martingale takes away from the beauty of a horse's neck and topline.

Why is a snaffle bit used?

A snaffle bit is a common type of horse bit that is gentle on the horse's mouth. Comprised of either a single bar or two to three jointed pieces between large rings on either side, snaffle bits make it easy for riders to communicate with their horse and are commonly used to train young horses and beginner riders.

Why do hunters use standing martingale?

The purpose of the standing martingale is to prevent the horse from raising its head too high. This has a safety aspect in addition to the aesthetic aspect in that it prevents the horse from potentially hitting the rider in the face when if it flips its head.

When should a martingale collar be used?

31 Aug 0 comments. A martingale collar is traditionally used on greyhounds and whippets. The martingale collar offers more support and more control in certain situations. If a dog is prone to slipping out of its current dog collar, then a martingale collar may be recommended.

Is a martingale collar better than a harness?

A martingale collar tightens in response to a pull on the leash, which can prevent dogs from slipping the collar, but a harness can distribute the force from a pull—which is easier on her neck and your shoulders.

What is the difference between a regular collar and a martingale collar?

Unlike Flat Buckle Collars, Martingale Collars have a small loop that contains a D ring to attach your leash to. When a dog pulls or tries to back out of the collar it tightens around the dog's neck constricting just enough to keep the dog contained making it a great tool for dogs who may be a flight risk.

Are martingale collars aversive?

By categorisation yes, but definitively, no. If the definition of aversive is an object that causes pain or discomfort to achieve a goal – and the new fitting of a martingale or part check doesn't cause discomfort or pain (at least no more than an accepted flat collar) then they're no longer an aversive.

Are slip leads cruel?

When used in the right setting, a slip lead isn't necessarily cruel. However, slip leads can be harmful if used on an untrained dog. As a slip lead won't stop tightening, you could hurt your fur-baby if they're not trained to stop pulling on a leash.

What is an Irish martingale?

The Irish martingale

It is a simple short strap with a ring on either end. The reins are each run through a ring on either side before being buckled. The Irish martingale's purpose is not to control the head, but to prevent the reins from coming over the horse's head, risking entanglement, should a rider fall.

What is the purpose of a crank noseband?

Restrictive or 'crank' nosebands, which are increasingly being used in the equestrian disciplines of dressage, show jumping and eventing, are designed to prevent horses from opening their mouths during competition.