German martingale on the trail

Thanks so much for the advice BrightEyes. Your advice sounds right on the money to me. Yes, have been practicing one-rein with him, and he does already know the maneuver, from previous training. I will practice this weekend with him using the running martingale. See how he does, and only use that on the trail. Though he is young, he has a lot of trail hours behind him, and does know "the drill" on the trail. I have been concerned, b/c every thing I Read says use GM for training only. Yet my trainer uses it on her horses most of the time, but she doesn't trail-ride. Thanks so much; I will practice my one-rein stop, nd also try the running mg.

Have you tried a bosal? Many traditionally trained Peruvians are trained in that first before the bit and are quite well behaved in it. Some Peruvians are quite hot, especially show trained ones. Others can be fairly laid back. It is considered one of the "hot" breeds. I personally love the feel of energy under you that you get on a well trained one. All that fire held in by no more than the lightest touch on the reins, ready to explode at the riders slightest command. Absolutely my favorite breed to ride just for that feeling.

You didn't describe the "harsh" bit. A long shank doesn't necessarity make a bit severe. In fact, when my (then 3yo, now 6yo QH) was tossing his head with an eggbutt snaffle I switched successfully to a mullen mouthed Pelham. My favorite bit--I now use on my 14yo mare, but bought several for my finished Arabian, finished QH, and finished QH/TWH cross--has a low port, and is smooth and wide where it meets the 7 inch long, s-shaped shank. EVERY horse I have used it on loves it.
I would NOT ride outside on the trail on a bit that won't stop my horse. Unless the mouthpiece on your horse's bit is sharp, or twisted or cruel, I would keep it for trail work, and start switching to a new bit in the arena, ONLY.

I have heard horror stories of horses that panicked and flipped over backwards and others that have drowned themselves in rivers from the use of standing martingales or tie-downs on trails. A running martingale should not be a problem. I would be sure that whatever you use, you have breaks.

This horse may do great on the trail. Some horses like getting out and about.

Thanks to all. Yes, I am pretty well-convinced that the GM is not to used on the trail. To Gaited, my Peruvian is the most fun, exciting horse. He loves to go, but is also so sweet and willing to learn and try anything I ask of him. All I have to do is show him it's not scary, and he's like Well ok, if you say so. Yes, he's a little hot, but also NEVER boring. I've already had a couple offers from folks to buy him for showing. The previous owner called his bit a "spoon bit". It Did have long shanks. But what bothered me was that he so preoccupied with it, head-tossing and seemed as if that was all he could think about. Corporal, can you tell me the brand and make of the Pelham your horses like? I will surely order one and try it. And Celeste, he does love the trail; he perks up and just loves it when we just walk in the woods behind the horse farm. Can't wait to take him for a real ride, think we'll be good partners. Will try the running mg this wkend.

Sounds like this horse needs to go back to ground work 101. He needs to be soft and supple in the bit with ground work. Then you won't need any aids when you ride him. Trying to fix his problems from the saddle is nie on to impossible. And your teaching him to be hard mouthed.

Thanks Bob. I do appreciate your remarks, and that is what my trainer and I decided today. He was a real butt today, and we are going to work on discipline. That is the main issue.

Careful " we are going to work on discipline"

It is probably not discipline he needs, but rather training and redirecting his energy to productive ends.

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Thanks Bob. My trainer and I are working on groundwork, and respect exercises, not so much discipline. I have a ways to go in that area. Yesterday was way way better than Friday. I did try a Pelham bit yesterday, and it helped a lot. No head-tossing or preoccupation with the bit, he was comfortable, and stopping was a lot easier.