use of running martingale

<p>HELP! In training&nbsp;an ex-race horse for dressage movement, I experienced difficulty in keeping the horse head&nbsp;rounded using just relatively light pressure on the rein. Is it advisable to use running martingale as an aid? If so, how should it be used&nbsp;so that the horse will maintain the&nbsp;roundedness of the head once the martingale is removed? I am a student of classical riding and the ultimate aim is to achieve self-carriage. This is my first attempt to train a horse&nbsp;and appreciate any advise any fellow horse lover can provide. Thank you&nbsp;in advance for your&nbsp;generous assistance.</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

h4v6sY

<p></p><p>I have the same question several months ago. By now, I may got some ideas about it. As I think it should be a long topic rather than just using running martingle. </p><p>I am junior, I'd like to listen to the advise from seniors.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

h4v6sY

Thanks for the reply. I was able to keep the head rounded by holding the rein tighter and use a number of techniques to keep the head position once I felt resistance. However, I am afraid that by doing so, I may destroy the mouth. That is why I would to explore the use of running martingale. My objective is to achieve round neck and collectedness using just snaffle bit and light rein. The horse is 6 years old and retired from race track only after 3 races. Seldom raiden and therefore, has no bad habits. Compared to other ex-race horse, the body is&nbsp;quite supple. &nbsp;

h4v6sY

<p></p><p>do you mean 低头革 when you say running martingale? actually, according to the coach here in my club, the length of running martingale should be tacked as long enough that when you apply rein, the rein line should not be broken. On the other hand, the it is a misuse if the strap of running martingle is so short, that way when you apply rein, the rein line&nbsp;is broken,&nbsp;the rein and running&nbsp;martingle work together as a lever to&nbsp;press the horse's mouth in his bar to make him lower his head.&nbsp;That means the correct way of using running martingale&nbsp;is&nbsp;just&nbsp;to prevent the horse from raising head not lower it.&nbsp; </p><p>I think the longe is the first step to train the horse. you&nbsp;may put on the side rein&nbsp;to make the horse's head&nbsp;forward and low. Longe will train the horse with the (1)obdience to the rein and bit. (2) Neck forward and low, will stretch his back and strength his musule on the back. (3) also the balence of horse is obtained. This may take month of time to&nbsp;longe to achieve the goals. </p><p>after the horse&nbsp;obtain the base&nbsp;of what you demand(round), you can begin to ride on. Keep the rein contact, ride the horse forward and straight. You may see the improvement.&nbsp; You may&nbsp;see the trend to your goal----&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;round neck and collectedness using just snaffle bit and light rein. </p><p>just for your reference.</p><p></p>

h4v6sY

quiquiba,thanks for the reply. I do not know the Chinese name of the running martigale but based on your description it should be right.I have succeeded in getting the head down but maintaining it especially during the transition will require a lot of hand and leg from me which will unavoidably disturb my riding position. This is reason why I am thinking of the use of running martingale to maintain the head position. I understand that an unbroken line should be maintained between the hand and the mouth at all time. I am already launching the horse with a special rein to keep the head down and the hind&nbsp;leg to step in.I guess I should be a bit of more patient to wait for the horse to develop&nbsp;his back muscle and learn how to relax in a collected posture. Lastly,&nbsp;may I know which club are you with and are the&nbsp;trainers good?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

h4v6sY