Standing Martingale vs. Running Martingale over fences?

[ToujoursLesBelles]

I understand what both do and i WOULD go with the standing because of the way runnings break the line from hand to bit, BUT im afraid that if my horse stumbles w/ the standing o/f we'll go toppling to the ground!
what do you think?
any of you jump higher than 3'6" w/o a standing?
any of you have problems w/ the connection to your horse's mouth with the running?

[cursivenight]

In Canada, in my area, you can't jump over 3'0 with a standing. It's illegal.

I've had a bad scare with a martingale, so I tend to avoid them unless necassary.

I'd use running, you can always make it into a standing if you need to (just put both rings in the noseband).

[silverleprichuan]

I would never jump above 2'9 in a standing, you couldn't pay me.

A standing martingale is connected to the noseband, thus it comes into play by punishing the nose and preventing it from going above a certain height. Often after jumping a large fence, a horse will raise it's head upon landing. In a standing martingale, this can easily punish the nose which not only scares the horse but can lead to refusing over time.


A standing martingale only works when a horse really flips it's head up. I'm not sure where you heard that a running will break the line from bit to mouth but that's only true if it is adjusted too tight. Adjusted properly it allows the horse totally freedom over fence but prevents the horse from flipping his head back far enough to hit the riders face. In addition it works off of the bit not the nasal bone.

If you look at high jumpers, eq horses, and eventers, all of them will use a running martingale or nothing at all.

Standing martingales are used in hunters and are relatively safe even through 3'6 because even at that height, the horse is required to give a smooth/effortless jump.

Remember that a martingale won't cause your horse to travel any differently. It's sole purpose is to prevent a horse from flipping his head so far back that his forehead or nose can break your nose.

[ToujoursLesBelles]

i would really prefer not to use any extra gadgets on the horse at all...but as soon as he sees the jump he rushes and "stargazes" and the only way he prevents himself from going through the jump is to overjump it unneccesarily...im working on the rushing fences, but until we've got that issue figured out i was thinking that the martingale could at least keep his head low enough that he is physically able to see the jump in front of him :D haha
i read in some article that the running martingale breaks the line from bit to hand, so i did some more research and found some pictures and it just looked like it would be awfully easy to use it incorrectly...
i may be wrong, and i would like your opinions, but it seems as though when the horse pulls up he is feeling pressure from the the martingale through the reins to his mouth..and then the rider does not have use of the reins anymore..

[silverleprichuan]

i would really prefer not to use any extra gadgets on the horse at all...but as soon as he sees the jump he rushes and "stargazes" and the only way he prevents himself from going through the jump is to overjump it unneccesarily...im working on the rushing fences, but until we've got that issue figured out i was thinking that the martingale could at least keep his head low enough that he is physically able to see the jump in front of him :D haha
i read in some article that the running martingale breaks the line from bit to hand, so i did some more research and found some pictures and it just looked like it would be awfully easy to use it incorrectly...
i may be wrong, and i would like your opinions, but it seems as though when the horse pulls up he is feeling pressure from the the martingale through the reins to his mouth..and then the rider does not have use of the reins anymore..


As frustrating as the "stargazing" is (and trust me, I've been there) any martingale tight enough to keep the head down runs the risk of interfering with the horse over fence.


here's a few shots of my mare in her running:

http://www.tayloradams.org/displayimage.php?album=11&pos=0

http://www.tayloradams.org/displayimage.php?album=11&pos=33 - perfect example of how her heads elevated but because the running martingale is adjusted properly, it's not interfering with her. If she were to raise her head another 6 inches then it would come into play.

http://www.tayloradams.org/displayimage.php?album=11&pos=56 - not very flattering but another example of how it doesn't hit her mouth.

Personally, as long as your geldings head isn't coming close to hitting your face, I'd ignor the behavior.

Also, if you do decide to use a martingale, make sure you've ruled out saddle fit and teeth first. The most common reason for an elevated head is over-due teeth or a sore back.

[Haley]

A martingale is always a safe precaution, but when the jumps get higher it's not the best piece of equipment. Considering the amount of reach jumpers need, a martingale can restrict that movement, resulting in a restricted jump and even injury. I don't think it would prevent over-jumping though, since my last horse jumped the moon over a simple cross-rail with a standing martingale.

If you haven't, I would do a lot of groundwork to keep your horse collected, and keep him collected until he jumps. Make sure not to jump ahead, because that just lets him free to do as he pleases, such as over-jumping and springing his head up.

Good luck!

[ToujoursLesBelles]

A martingale is always a safe precaution, but when the jumps get higher it's not the best piece of equipment. Considering the amount of reach jumpers need, a martingale can restrict that movement, resulting in a restricted jump and even injury. I don't think it would prevent over-jumping though, since my last horse jumped the moon over a simple cross-rail with a standing martingale.
If you haven't, I would do a lot of groundwork to keep your horse collected, and keep him collected until he jumps. Make sure not to jump ahead, because that just lets him free to do as he pleases, such as over-jumping and springing his head up.

Good luck!

Ah, his overjumping isnt a natural thing, he does it because he cant see the jump because his head is so high in the air...thats where i thought the martingale could be useful, because if he was forced to see the jump/height of the jump he could more accurately judge how high he needed to jump

and he goes around very nicely collected on the flat, but once you point him towards that jump he forgets all his training :D

[ToujoursLesBelles]

Personally, as long as your geldings head isn't coming close to hitting your face, I'd ignor the behavior.


if i continue to ignore it im afraid that jumping with his head in the air will become even more of a habit... :/