Running Martingale Adjustment and Use Keep it Safe!

Running martingales help a horse learn to (find this complete video in the Dennis Moreland Tack blog at www.dmtack.com/running-martin...) carry its head in the position that will allow it to use its body to drive from behind and with collection. When adjusted and used correctly they are safe pieces of equipment for any age horse at almost any level of training. Running martingales bit.ly/2cPagLY are helpful training tools for most disciplines.
Dennis Moreland Tack running martingales have 4 parts: the neck strap, the cinch strap, the rein straps with rings and the safety hobble strap. Most martingales are not made with a safety hobble strap, but all martingales made by Dennis Moreland have this important safety feature.
Start by placing the neck strap over the head. Slide it to the base of the neck. The safety hobble strap and cinch strap should be facing the back of your horse and the rein straps should be facing the front. Snap the cinch strap to the middle front D ring on your cinch. Check that your cinch is adjusted so the middle D rings are in the middle of the belly when the cinch is tight. Put your right rein through the ring on the right side and up over the neck. Thread the safety hobble strap through the gullet and up over the top of the horn. Push it to the base of the horn and pull the slack out of the strap. Put the left rein through the ring.
A running martingale bit.ly/2cPagLY should be adjusted correctly before you get on your horse. Adjust the cinch strap so it’s snug against the horse but not too tight. Adjust the neck strap so it’s just snug enough that you’re able to run your hand under it. Adjust the rein straps so they are approximately 1-2 inches from the horses jaw when they are held taut. The horse should be standing at ease when this measurement is made.
The safety hobble strap will prevent the neck strap from sliding down the neck. If a horse suddenly drops its head in a martingale without a safety hobble strap the neck strap will slide toward the poll. When the horse tries to raise its head the dislodged strap puts pressure on the neck preventing the horse from bringing its head up. This causes many horses to panic and rear in an attempt to get free from the pressure holding their heads down. This is a very dangerous situation.
Rein stops bit.ly/2d0uyN0 are round pieces of thick leather or other stiff material and are placed on each rein just below the rein end or water loop. Rein stops will help to keep you safe by preventing the rings on the martingale rein straps from getting lodged on the rein ends. If the rings become lodged the horses head will be trapped in an over-flexed position. It may panic and rear in an attempt to free itself from the pressure of the trapped rings holding its head.
Dennis Moreland Tack offers a variety of handmade running martingales bit.ly/2cPagLY designed to help you horse learn to carry its head in the position that will allow it to use its body to drive from behind. They fit, function and will last for years. For assistance with running martingales write [e-mail] or call 817-312-5305.
We’re a full line manufacturer of quality handmade tack and we’re here to help you!

[@ulrikewursthor6812]

Thank you very much Dennis! Ilove your Videos! What a great Horseman....greatings from Black Forest, Germany

[@Bootbitch]

What’s the difference between a standing and running martingale?

[@Bootbitch]

What’s the difference between a standing and running martingale?

[@DMTack]

A standing martingale is a strap attached at one end to the noseband and at the other end to the Dee ring in the cinch. It controls the horses head by putting pressure on the noseband when the horse raises its head above neutral, if it is adjusted correctly. A running martingale is a strap that attaches on one end to the dee in the cinch like a standing martingale, but on the other end has a ring where 2 straps are connected. These 2 straps each have a ring at the end. One rein is placed through each ring on the side the rein is on. When adjusted correctly, the rings put pressure on the reins, which then puts pressure on the bit, when the horse raises its head above a neutral position. It is very important to use rein stops when using a running martingale to prevent the rings from hooking on any part of the bit or on the rein ends. Thank you for the question.