How to put on a Martingale

Standing and running martingales are used to prevent the horse
from raising his head high and evading the action of the bit.

Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Required: Five minutes

Here's How:

1. Once you've groomed your horse and are ready to tack up,
get your martingale ready.

2. If your horse is tethered or in cross ties, undo them,
but keep the halter on to prevent him from walking away.

3. Arrange the martingale so that the loop that
attaches to the girth is toward the horse's chest,
holding it by the strap that goes around the neck.

4. Take the neck strap over the horse's head
and settle it at the base of the neck,
making sure it is not twisted.

5. The neck strap should fit loosely,
with plenty of room for you to fit
four fingers between it and the horse's neck.

6. Let it hang there while you place the saddle pad
and saddle on the horse and position them correctly.

7. As you bring the girth underneath the horse's chest,
put the lower martingale strap between the horse's front legs
and thread the girth through it.

8. Fasten the girth.

9. Bridle the horse.

10. If you are using a standing martingale,
thread the cavesson noseband through the
martingale strap before doing up the noseband.

11. Standing martingales should not be used with drop,
flash or figure-eight nosebands.

12. To test the fit, raise your hand underneath
the martingale strap up to the horse's throat.
If it won't reach, it's too tight.

13. To attach a running martingale,
thread the left hand rein through the left ring
and the right hand rein through the right ring.
Do up the buckle on the reins.

Tips:

1. Save a step by keeping your running martingales
attached to the reins when not in use.
Hang it on the same peg as your bridle in the tack room.

2. Make sure the martingale isn't too loose -
if it hangs too far down between the horse's legs
a leg may get caught while jumping. Adjust as necessary.


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