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  Discussion on German martingale
Author Message
Member:
Kari

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 8, 2004 - 10:36 pm:

Many years ago I used a rig I believe to be called a "german martingale". The string after going thru the rings of the bit were attached to the reins which usually had three different settings. The rig eventually deteriorated and was thrown away. I've been trying to find one but none of the catalogs I take carry it. I believe it to be more of an english training aid rather than western. Does anyone know what I am referring to and where I can order one.
Member:
Miamoo

Posted on Thursday, Sep 9, 2004 - 10:50 am:

Hi Kari,

The german martingale is my favorite training tool because once the horse is on the bit there is no martingale contact, only straight rein. I do not get deterioration in performance when the martingale is removed the way I do with a standing or running martingale.

They are carried in the Dover catalogue but are quite pricy. I had mine made. I have a nice breastplate and I borrowed a friends german martingale for measurements and took it into a leathersmith. I brought all the hardware in with me. He put 3 D rings on both reins and put clips on either end of two pieces of leather that run from the breastplate through the bit to the reins.

A word of caution though. They are dangerous to jump with because if you are left behind and pull on the mouth the horses head will be pulled to his chest and you could flip over forward. Also if the horse gets a leg though them by itching or something they can really freak out. (The foot through them was unfortunately learned by personal experience. My mare sat down before I got them unhooked)

Ella :-)
Member:
Kari

Posted on Thursday, Sep 9, 2004 - 7:24 pm:

Ella,

Thanks for the prompt reply. I am having trouble finding Dover's catalogue on the internet. Can you send me their website? While I am not into jumping, I have found that the "german martigale" gives me more lateral control than other martigales. This is the reason I want to use one.

Kari
Member:
Canter

Posted on Thursday, Sep 9, 2004 - 9:06 pm:

Kari,
I just happen to have a stack of catalogs in my office since I went through them today looking for a neoprene hock wrap. Dover's website is: www.doversaddlery.com

Fran
Member:
Kari

Posted on Thursday, Sep 9, 2004 - 10:46 pm:

Ella & Fran

Thanks to both of you. I found it in the Dover Catalog but may have to sell the horse to afford the rig!
Member:
Miamoo

Posted on Thursday, Sep 9, 2004 - 10:51 pm:

Seriously, I spent less than 30 dollars having it made by the leathersmith. As I said before I had to buy my own hardware (about 5$) and I already had a breastplate. You could pick up a breastplate on eBay cheap enough. You might run a check on eBay for a german martingale. You might get lucky.

Good luck!

Ella :-)
Member:
Kthorse

Posted on Friday, Sep 10, 2004 - 8:41 am:

heres one for $32.00
https://web.mawebcenters.com/faulkner5/item116143.ctlg
Member:
Kari

Posted on Saturday, Sep 11, 2004 - 7:56 pm:

Thank you Katrina and Fran, I found both the Dover site as well as the one sent by Katrina.

To Ella, as I now recall, the rig I used was copied from a trainer's rig that I used to ride with. It was apparently modified from the ones that I saw in Dover and Katrina's site. The string went from the cinch rings outside the horses leg, thru the bit and snapped to the rings on the rein. Hence the excellent lateral control. I am, of course, referring to a western saddle. I can have rings attached to the rein but I need to have an idea as to the distance from where the rein attaches to the bit for the first ring and the approx. distance from there to the second ring and then the third rein. Would you measure your reins and send me those measurements? Thanks in advance.
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