RE: running martingales - one more time

[Alison Farrin <alison@hirschcompany.com>]

-----Original Message-----
From:	ridecamp-d-request@endurance.net [SMTP:ridecamp-d-request@endurance.net]
Sent:	Wednesday, January 13, 1999 9:52 AM
To:	ridecamp-d@endurance.net
Subject:	ridecamp-d Digest V99 #56

[Alison Farrin]  Sue wrote and I snipped ...... 

 A couple of thoughts come to mind here...and they're primarily related to
how the horse develops his muscles during training and which ones he develops.

When a horse is trained with a running martingale (which is all too often
adjusted too short), they learn how to avoid the effects on the bit.  Since
the running martingale actually *changes* the action of the bit when it's
adjusted a bit lower than horses normal head carriage height, the horse is
"strongly encouraged" to come behind the bit...which may appear to be
collection.  
[Alison Farrin]  The key to this whole problem with using a running martingale is in your parentheses.  Adjusted CORRECTLY, when the reins are held correctly with a straight line from the bit through the hand to the rider's elbow, the martingale should HAVE NO EFFECT!  It should still be loose!  I use a running martingale on my horse for the simple reason that at the start of a ride he is still in "not listen" mode.  At home, and during training, I have upped the excitement level from quiet to nearly frantic, but cannot quite simulate the excitement level of an actual ride. Hence, he still idiots out for the first mile.  I could take it off and often do, after that point.  But even during that time, it only comes into play, if he chooses to evade my signals.  During training, I often ride with it as we run into the occasional "training event" in which he would rather not partake. (Okay, Gydion has to be convinced he's not really a weenie frequently.) His reaction to an opening rein directing him in a particular direction is to snake his nose under the rein and flip it over his head.  He cannot do this with a running martingale on.  Note that in all cases the martingale only acts AFTER he has chosen to be disobedient.  It seems to me that most of your bias against a martingale as a training Tool is its use in the hands of someone who is using it incorrectly.  As with every piece of equipment we use, used incorrectly, they may cause pain and suffering.  Used correctly, they are a tool that can be beneficial.  Also note that I am using basic dressage techniques to train this horse.  He does NOT drop behind the bit and is beginning to come nicely on the bit working from behind; energy from the hind end traveling through a rounded back to a head and neck that begin to come in as he can self carry.Martingale has nothing to do with it.