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Running Martingale

3K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  Thyme 
#1 · (Edited)
Hello I just got a new horse who is fantastic the only thing is he holds his head up higher than I am used to, I rode him today with a running martigale and it had fantastic results and he stopped sticking his nose out while he trotted. He is a Peruvian/Arabian and has a natural high head carriage but I dont want his nose sticking out. But -->
Is it okay to trail ride a horse with a running martingale?
Thanks :)
(attached is a pic of him trotting and he is good in this pic but if we speed up or gait he'll put his nose out)
I ride him in a hanging snaffle bit, with the myler/billy allen joint? (it doesn't bend the thing in the middle can spin and the sides move individually)
 

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#2 ·
Yeah it is... Correct schooling should help eliminate it though. If you only trail ride not school you can still do some exercises whilst out riding that will help it. If its his natural head carriage then I dont really see the need to change it unless he's using it to gain control/evade the bit!
 
#3 ·
If the running martingale is holding his head down, you're doing more damage than good, because it's just pulling the head instead of fixing the problem. Really, you just need to school him on how to work from the back end so that he wants to lower his head and neck and stretch.
 
#4 ·
i would suggest going without, i don't know too much about horse training, but from what i understand it's much more benificial to teach him to go into a frame instead of using something to pull his head into that postition, its a bit extra work on you're end, but the results will be better! =D also, doing some dressage training will help with that, and it will also teach his hind end to be more active. lol sorry, i had to add the dressage, thats what i do and i'm always trying to get people to convert! but if he's a trail horse than teaching him to even go a bit rounder will help alot! hope that helped!
 
#6 ·
running martingales are good for schooling assistance, but if used wrong you can really damage your horse. i've known people to use them and have made very negative impacts on the animal. i'd suggest teaching your horse to get down on the bit yourself, or use draw reins with a trainer's help. martingales shouldn't be used to get your horse into a frame. they are merely a guide. they arch the horses neck and pull on their back, it can be frustrating and cause the horse to lock their jaw and resist the command. hope this helps :)
 
#7 ·
Firstly, you should check out the saddle. It's on his shoulders, and I'd be running around with my head in the air too.
Also, it looks like you are balancing on his face, possibly caused by your chairseat that I am seeing (it's difficult to tell with one picture, though). To be honest, much of the problems like traveling hollow is caused by rider error - in this case, you are not centered over your horse and he is compensating for where your body is (behind the motion). Part of where you are sitting is caused by where the saddle is, too - you're fighting an uphill battle and so is your horse!
A martingale will not fix the problem, but ultimately hide it and even cause more problems.

Good luck with your horse!
 
#8 · (Edited)
Thanks for trying to help but I am still not sure what to do. This was the only clear picture so I posted it I am only pulling back to slow him down after he broke his gait and went into a fast trot. I always ride with loose reins because he neck reins and stops with woah (if a back-fireing tractor isn't spooking him LOL) i guess it was a really back pic to post. I dont know how to get his nose down because he is super sensitive and stops with any bit contact. I am gonna ride him a polython (sp?) side-pull tomorrow and see if he is more comfortable.
thanks for responding to my post with your advise!
:)
 
#10 ·
You don't pull on his mouth to get his nose down. Pulling will probably result in him flinging his head because it seems that he's learned that that is a way to avoid the bit. To get a horse to stretch down you have to ask for him to move forward with his hind end. That doesn't mean going faster or speeding up his tempo, it means you're making him push up with his hind end and use his back. Then you can start asking for the rein contact. I'd suggest getting a couple lessons with a trainer who can observe your riding and the way your horse is moving so she can help fix the problem.
 
#11 · (Edited)
Thanks I talk to my trainer who said that it is not a problem. We have check both my saddles (which aren't on his shoulders) and they fit him great he thinks he needs to build more trust because he is a rescue . since last week (the first week I have had him) he has brought his nose in by himself. I am just gonna work on my own position for awhile. He always has his head up I just had to buy him a cut-back winter blanket designed for morgans etc. because the average cuts into his neck.
thanks for all the suggestions :)
its the first time I have had a gaited horse or a horse with this kind of structure so I am learning but my trainer says we are fine.
 
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