Martingales: A Guide To What They Are & Their Application

The standing martingale is attached to the middle of the girth, passes up through the horse’s front legs and attaches to the underside of the horses noseband. Thus is considered to be the most restrictive of martingales. If the horse is unexpectedly caught off balance they could fall more easily if wearing a standing martingale as their range of movement is restricted. This martingale is however very effective at preventing the horse from raising their head, by applying pressure to the nose and because of this is an effective method of control for the rider. It is not permitted for use in flat competitions but can be worn in Polo and low height jumping competitions.

The running martingale provides the rider with slightly less control over the horses head height than the standing martingale but due to its non-fixed fitting is a safer and less restrictive schooling aid for the rider. It is attached to the underside of the girth, comes up through the horses front legs and each strap has a ring on the end that the reins pass through. The rider has control over how much downward pressure is applied to the mouth via the reins and bit. There is no pressure to the horse when their head carriage is correct. This martingale should be used with ‘rein stops’ to prevent the ring from the martingale from catching on the bit.

Any martingale should be used with care and it should be remembered that it is a horse’s natural instinct to fight against pressures or anything they are not used to on their head. They can panic and throw their head against the pressures sometimes causing them to fall over backwards.

The Market Harborough, also known as a German martingale works in a similar manner to the running martingale although unlike that the Market Harborough is not show legal and is a training aid only. It attaches to the girth, passes through the front legs of the horse, splits into two straps that pass through the rings of the bit and attaches to rings on specifically suitable reins. This martingale has a greater range then the standing and running martingales.

Tammy is a avid equine rider who likes to advertise the correct ways to be looking after horses. Tammy works part time for Anything Equine online who specialise in equine clothing as well as equestrian breastplates in the UK.