How to Fit a Martingale Fitting a Martingale
A martingale is a short-term corrective aid that applies pressure to help prevent a horse's head from coming up too high when being ridden. It should always be used by a knowledgeable rider and with rein stops to prevent the rings becoming tangled with the bit or billets. There are three types of martingales.
Standing Martingale - If the horse raises its head above the allowed height, pressure is applied to the nose to encourage the horse to return to the lower head carriage. Pressure is relieved with the lower head carriage. The strap attaches to the back of the noseband. Pass the lower part of the martingale through the horse's front legs and then fasten to the girth. It should be loose enough so the strap can be pushed up to touch the throatlatch of the bridle when the horse has its head in a relaxed position.
Adjusted correctly, you should to be able to press the strap into the inside contour of the neck from its attachment at the chest. The loop should reach to the horse's chin when stretched along the length of the gullet.
Running Martingale - If the horse raises its head above the allowed height, pressure is applied to the bars and tongue to encourage lower head carriage. A running martingale can provide more freedom than a standing martingale, and the rider can release pressure as soon as the head is in the correct position. The reins pass through rings that are attached to the center strap.
When correctly adjusted, the rings should reach the horse's withers when stretched tight, and the reins should run a straight line from the rider's hand to the bit ring.
German Martingale - If the horse raises its head above the allowed height, the reins apply pressure to the bit, which acts on the bars and corners of the mouth. The pressure encourages the horse to resume the lower head carriage, and the pressure is then released. Swap your reins for the German martingale reins. The breast strap of the martingale connects to your girth first. Each side strap runs through the corresponding bit ring and clips onto a d-ring of the German martingale reins.
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Shop with 100% confidence at Dover Saddlery. If something doesn’t fit you or your horse, return your original purchase within a year, and we’ll make it right with a refund, exchange or replacement.
Our experience as riders and horse owners ourselves is that in most situations a year’s time is fair enough to evaluate proper fit and function. PLUS: For manufacturer’s defects, we’ll extend the manufacturer’s warranty to a maximum of 24 months, regardless of their individual policies. (AND: Manufacturer warranties longer than 24 months will be honored and supported by us as well up to the length of those warranties).
Exceptions: Safety items such as helmets and protective vests may only be returned within 30 days, with their original tags intact. Saddles and riding boots may be returned within the one year period, but are subject to a prorated refund based on usage. Used saddles may be returned for 30 days only. For everyone’s protection, treats and vet meds which have been opened are not returnable, and returned blankets must clean and free of debris. Underwear is not returnable or exchangeable.
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To protect all customers and ensure that every return or exchange is handled fairly, we may require a receipt or decline a return in these situations:
• Item was not purchased directly from Dover Saddlery. (It was purchased at a used tack sale or from a retailer or online seller other than Dover Saddlery.)
• Item is missing a label or has been defaced.
• No receipt and no valid identification in our stores.
• Item is wet, dirty or contaminated, or until it has been cleaned. (For health and safety reasons, we cannot accept returns on used, defective or poorly fitting blankets if they are UNWASHED.)
• Item has been lost, stolen, damaged, or misused.
• On rare occasions, based on the nature of prior transactions.
• Supplements have been opened or used.
• Multiple returns of the same item.
• Personalized items may not be returned unless defective.
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