Can you use a martingale in dressage

One step later, Falon has come back down on the bit again. Sara has a straight line from the bit through her wrist to her elbow and the martingale is once again inactive and non-interfering.

It's as if Falon, who a moment earlier was ready to throw his head in the air and spin and bolt, is now saying "OK, I'm good with this. Sara, I have the confidence and trust that you'll take care of me if I go where you want me to go.

Learn more about how to use a running martingale for more effective training, and how to adjust it correctly, in the March issue of Practical Horseman magazine. See "Maintain Control with the Running Martingale" on page Mette Rosencrantz gives you tips on how to ride the sitting trot and energize your work through cross-training.

Top West Coast dressage trainer, competitor and judge, Sandy Howard, breaks down the complex task of sitting the trot into learnable chunks. After an awe-inspiring visit to Vienna, Austria, two dressage riders bring a Spanish Riding School trainer to their farm in New Mexico for a dressage clinic.

A trainer discusses the benefits of riding your horse twice a day to build up strength and understanding. Written by Judy Westlake for Dressage Today. Pan-Am dressage medalist Kate Poulin-Neff shows you how to strengthen and supple your horse and maximize his performance in this First-Level movement.

The Spanish Riding School in Vienna has been dedicated to the equestrian arts since Written by Jayne Pedigo for EquiSearch.

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Over Reach Boots. Poultice Boots. Support Boots. Travel Boots. Rugs Shop all Rug Accessories. Exercise Sheets. Stable Rugs. Reins are universally accepted as a means to communicate with the horse. Pressure and release of the reins is essential in the learning process for the horse and consistent and stable rein tension is fundamental to underpinning effective training.

Additional equipment e. The use of such equipment is potentially aversive to the horse and may cause concern if used or adjusted inappropriately thus compromising horse welfare. This strap extends under your horse and connects to your girth through a loop at the end. Martingale rings: Two smaller straps with metal rings extend from the neck strap.

When worn, the chest strap and martingale rings form a line parallel to your horse's underside, connecting the girth and the reins. A running martingale is recommended for: New riders learning the ropes: For a new rider, a running martingale encourages proper hand placement.

Even the most experienced riders may not have perfect hand placement all the time. Your horse will be thankful for the extra mouth protection. Experienced riders learning a new technique: Whether you've been riding for a few weeks or many years, you learn something new every day. Running martingales help teach your horse good habits before learning bad ones and can be particularly useful in training dressage.

However, it's discouraged to use running martingales during a test. Casual riders going on a trail ride: On a casual ride, you may appreciate the added support against unforeseen spooks when walking up or down steep terrains.

Practiced riders gently breaking in a horse: Learning a new skill is challenging for horses and humans. If you're working with a green horse, you might find a running martingale useful for encouraging good habits over bad ones. How to Fit a Running Martingale To fit a running martingale, fully tack your horse — including the bridle with the reins placed over the neck. To fit the running martingale to your horse, follow these steps: Place the neck strap over your horse's head and pass the reigns, sitting them comfortably above your horse's shoulders.

Make sure the adjustable buckle is on the left side facing you. Let the neck strap rest and undo the girth, but don't drop it. Take the long chest strap and pull it under your horse's chest, making sure there are no twists. Pull your girth through the loop at the end of the chest strap until the loop is at a center position of the girth in the middle of your horse's underside, forming a T-shape. Redo the girth. Revisit the neck strap to make sure it fits properly. Open your hand flat and place the backside of your hand against your horse's neck with the neck strap resting on your palm.