Martingales for your horse!
Horse Martingales refers to the several designs of tacks. These tacks are used on the horse so it can control its head carriage. There are several types of martingales that come under the category of equestrian products. If some are used for riding, then some are used for driving. There are some rules for using these tacks. These rules can vary according to the schooling methods of the horses.
There are two types of horse martingale that are used in general: Standing and running. These are used for controlling the horse’s head height. It also prevents the horse from throwing its head high and thus hitting the rider. As the horse tries getting its head much higher, the martingale put pressure on the head to prevent the horse from raising it.
The standing martingale is perfect for your horse as it has a single strap attached to the girth. The strap passes between the front legs of the horse. It remains fixed to the back of the noseband of the horse. If the variation is correctly fitted, then it should be able to push the martingale strap up to the throatlatch of the horse.
Martingales have some safety and misuse issues that need to be considered. For example, standing martingales are limiting. The running martingales tend to be more convenient. Standing martingales cannot be loosened if an emergency arises. These standing tacks are used for jumping over smaller fences. Moreover, the horse with a standing martingale can easily trip and fall as the movement is restricted.
The most important care to be taken with martingales is that it should never be attached to a drop noseband. This can result in the injury to both nose and jaw of the horse. The horse can also get hurt the cartilage of its nose. Care should also be taken while tying the martingale to the heavier strap and not the lower strap. Get some quality martingales for your horse and make sure you use them carefully.
