A properly adjusted running martingale is not a quick fix or
an evil training tool. Probably most of my 13,000+ miles of endurance has
been on horses wearing running martingales. More than once it has saved
me from getting hit in the face by an excited horse while I was mounted. The
biggest adjustment problem I see is setting the rings too low so that a vee
forms in the reins and the rider looses direct contact with the horse’s
mouth. The reins should form a straight line from the bit through the
martingale rings to the rider’s hands when riding with contact. Ideally
all of our horses should be perfectly trained to not need such training aids
but mine all have occasional melt down moments when I am glad to have a running
martingale. I also always ride with a crupper and there are those who
think they shouldn’t be necessary on a properly fitted saddle. As I
get older, I have learned not to be so critical of other riders’ tack
choices.
