The running martingale has a single strap that that passes from the girth, between the front legs to the chest that then divides into two straps with rings on the end that the reins pass through. A neck strap or breastplate keeps the martingale close to the horse's chest. The running martingale enables the rider to lower the head position of the horse or prevent it from throwing its head up by applying rein pressure.
Fitting A Running Martingale
To fit a running martingale the neck strap or breastplate should be placed around the bottom of the horse's neck and be loose enough to place a hand's width between the horse and the neck strap or breastplate. The lower part of the martingale should be passed through the horse's front legs and the girth passed through the loop on the end before being fastened. It should be adjusted so that the lower part of the martingale fits comfortably under the horse and is not too loose. The upper ends of the martingale should be adjusted so that the rings are able to touch the bottom of the horse's jaw when the horse has its head in a normal head carriage position. The reins should then be unbuckled in the middle, a rubber martingale stop slipped over each rein and moved towards the bit before passing the rein through the corresponding martingale ring and doing the reins back up. Rubber martingale stops are needed to prevent the martingale rings moving towards the bridle and becoming caught on the bridle or bit.
