Martingales are a piece of equipment used in horse riding to control the horse’s head carriage and prevent them from raising their head too high or tossing it too much. They are commonly used in jumping and eventing, as well as polo and cross-country riding.

Martingales were invented as a way to help control horses that were difficult to manage or had a tendency to raise their heads too high. The earliest known reference to a martingale is in the book “The Art of Riding” by William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle, which was published in 1658. At that time, martingales were made of leather and were used primarily in cavalry training.

Over time, martingales evolved and became more specialized for different disciplines. Today, there are many different types of martingales available, each designed to address specific issues with a horse’s head carriage. They are widely used in horse riding, but it is important to use them correctly and under the guidance of a knowledgeable instructor or trainer.

Types of Martingales

There are several types of martingales, each designed for a specific purpose in horse riding. Here are the most common types of martingales and their uses:

1. Standing martingale: This martingale is used to prevent the horse from raising its head too high. It consists of a strap that attaches to the girth and runs up to the horse’s head, where it is fixed to the noseband or the bit. The standing martingale allows the horse to move its head down freely but restricts the range of head movement. It is commonly used in show jumping and eventing to help horses maintain a consistent head position while jumping.
2. Running martingale: This martingale is used to prevent the horse from throwing its head too far back. It consists of a strap that attaches to the girth and runs through the bit rings to the rider’s hands. The running martingale allows the horse more freedom to move its head up and down but prevents the horse from throwing its head too far back. It is commonly used in polo and cross-country riding to help horses maintain a steady head carriage while galloping and turning.
3. Irish martingale: This martingale is similar to the running martingale but has an additional strap that runs between the horse’s front legs. The Irish martingale is used to prevent the horse from lifting its head too high and evading the bit by leaning on it. The additional strap helps to stabilize the horse’s head and neck, encouraging the horse to carry itself in a more balanced way.
4. Neck stretcher: This martingale is designed to encourage the horse to stretch its neck forward and downward. It consists of an elastic strap that attaches to the girth and runs up to the horse’s head, where it is fixed to the noseband or the bit. The neck stretcher applies gentle pressure to the horse’s poll and encourages the horse to stretch its neck forward and downward, which can be beneficial for horses that have a tendency to carry their heads too high.
5. Bib martingale: This martingale is similar to the standing martingale but has an additional strap that runs between the horse’s front legs. The bib martingale is used to prevent the horse from raising its head too high and evading the bit by leaning on it. The additional strap helps to stabilize the horse’s head and neck, encouraging the horse to carry itself in a more balanced way.
6. Running attachment: This martingale is similar to the running martingale but attaches to the noseband or the bit instead of the girth.
7. Draw reins: While not technically a martingale, draw reins are sometimes used as an alternative. They attach to the bit and run through rings on the saddle, encouraging the horse to lower its head and stretch its neck.

It is important to note that martingales should only be used under the guidance of a knowledgeable instructor or trainer, as incorrect use or fit of the equipment can cause discomfort or even harm to the horse.