Running Martingales VS Standing Martingales

My Horse really needs a martingale according to my riding instructer but she won't tell me WHICH one!??!?! Crazy, I know. -BUT she did say it was either a running martingale or a standing martingale. Apparently she wants me to figure out which one I need. My Horse throws his head alot and resists the bit, he puts his head down, trying to pull the reins out of my hands. I Checked his bridle and bit and the saddle but nothing is pinching him or putting pressure on him!? I also checked his hooves and there wasn't anything there. He has no sores on his face or his withers/back so im thinking its just cause he's a fat lazy boy :) I read that running martingales are for head throwing and stuff like that but im not sure which one to get. They both have variable things my horse does.... any advice??? Thanks :)

Get a trainer. You need to address the issue that your horse has with you. You probably aren't giving him the release he needs. Find an instructor that will teach you to RIDE and not just sit on your horses back and torment him. Your horse isn't getting a good signal from you and you need to clear that up or it will just get worse. If you go to a martingale (either one) then another problem will pop up and your instructor will want you to change bits or use a caveson or some other stop gap measure. If you want to be on the track to become a horseman now is the time to start.

Uhh, excuse me but I KNOW how to ride thank you very much. My Horse was abused and he is very skiddish some times and we are working out all his kinks. I Did NOT ask for you critique I asked WHICH martingale works for this. I can w/t/c/g and jump up to 3.5 feet with out using my hands. So don't you DARE say I can't ride. You've NEVER seen me ride, My horse loves me very much he isnt being TORMENTED, Got it?

I agree, you should find an answer to the symptoms your horse is showing. I have used running martingales (standing are illegal in eventing), BUT I rarely need them. Resistance should be addressed with flat work and more careful jumping, IMO.

Hopefully, your trainer has the ability to teach you through this problem.

If you MUST have a martingale, make sure it is adjusted properly and not so tight it effectively becomes a tie-down. I prefer running as they don't encourage a horse to lean into them (aggravating the original problem).

Thank you!!!
My Horse responds well to martingales, I've been trying some out. I just needed to know someone elses ADVICE not critical opinions :) I Tried loosening the bit too and that seemed to help but it also kept me from being able to control his head.... so im working with him to try and solve this problem. :)

Both types of martingales aim to address resistance by keeping the horse's head and neck in a position where the bit and your aids are more effective.

The standing martingale really just keeps the horse from raising his head above certain height to avoid the bit. However, smart and lazy horses learn to lean or balance themselves on the martingale. I use them rarely and for a short term, rather than long term fix.

Running martingales are more versatile. When adjusted correctly, they put downward pressure on the bars of the horses's mouth when he raises his head above a certain level and release that pressure when the horse drops his head. So used in moderation they can be an effective tool.

One big caveat - I almost *never* see them adjusted correctly. Too loose, they're ineffectual, and too tight, they put constant pressure on the bars of the horses mouth, which is contrary to good training and really abusive. If you use one, make sure someone who knows what they're doing adjusts it, and evaluate the adjustment each time you ride with it.

You need a new instructor. I am not anti martingale but I have a hard time with an instructor that says 'you need a new piece of equipment but you pick which one'. Is that not what you play your instructor/trainer to help you with?

I will not guess if your horse has a medical reason or simply a bad learned behavior but I would think a good instructor/trainer would be able to figure this out with you and not send you on a wild goose chase asking people on the internet what type of martingale to buy.

If you like showjumping then use a running martingale -

To muddy the issue a bit - a Market Harborough ( or German martingale ) is a really usefull training aid - when fitted and used properly. - I know many people dislike them but I find them to be one of the best, when fitted properly they enable a horse to learn as they only work when the horse is being evasive.

Ah - yes you did. Since you are apparently paying someone to supposedly teach you - yet they are not doing a complete job - you felt the need to ask your question to complete strangers who are unaware of the whole situation.

I agree that gadgets can be shortcuts. If I put a brace on your back to ensure you sat correctly in your saddle - is that teaching - or torment? Of course you can say - Gee this hurts. Your horse cannot.

As one of the other posters said - you probably need a new instructor.

I would definitely go with a running martingale. I personally hate standing martingales and they're actually illegal in eventing. Theyre too restricting and i've seen horses flip over because of them. Running martingales are much more forgiving and can be as lose or tight as you want them depending on your rein length.