Training aids - martingale, boots, breastplate
Hello!
Martingale. A martingale is a training aid used on horses that throw their head up or go with a high head carriage. It is most commonly used for jumping, cross-country or hacking. It is very important that the martingale is adjusted to the correct length for the horse. When you sit on the horse with short reins, there should be a straight line between the horse's mouth and your hand. The martingale must not create a downward angle in the rein, because then it will pull on the horse's mouth and is too short.
A correctly fitted martingale only acts on the horse when it throws its head up or holds it high. As the horse raises its head, the rings run along the rein until the martingale reaches full stretch and stops. The horse cannot then raise its head any higher, because the martingale straps have stretched out as far as they will go. This also creates pressure or a jolt in the horse's mouth, depending on whether the horse is pulling or throwing its head up. Some martingales are partly elastic, so that the stop is not so abrupt. Many people combine a martingale with a breastplate or breastgirth to stop the saddle sliding back.
A martingale that is too long becomes dangerous over a fence, because the forelegs can then catch in it and the horse may come down on landing. A martingale that is too short, on the other hand, puts a lot of pressure on the horse's mouth, leaving the tongue and bars especially exposed. It strengthens the action of the bit, particularly with a leverage bit. From the side the rein then forms a V, and a rein aid acts back and down. The angle in the rein changes the line of force and adds to the strength of the rider's rein aid, which in turn lets the rider pull the horse's head down. So, as I say, it is important that it is correctly fitted.
Breastplate. A breastplate is used to hold the saddle in place so that it does not slide back as you ride. Bear in mind, though, that if you have a saddle that slides back, the important thing instead is to check the saddle fit. A saddle that fits the horse well should stay still on the back.
Boots. Boots can be used, for example, to stop a horse treading on itself or pulling off a shoe.
None of the above is equipment that may only be used for jumping. People use it across all kinds of disciplines. I hope that answered your question! 🤗
