How to Put a German Martingale on a Horse

A German martingale (also called a Market Harborough) is a training device that uses leverage to encourage a horse to lower its head and flex its neck. It consists of a leather fork that runs from the girth through the horse's forelegs and then through the bit, attaching to rings on the reins. German martingales are often used on young horses in training, and are especially popular for saddleseat and Western riding.

Things You'll Need

  • Horse
  • Saddle
  • Bridle
  • German martingale
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the reins from the bridle and replace them with the German martingale's reins.

    • 2

      Place the saddle on the horse without fastening the girth.

    • 3

      Pass the martingale's neck strap (if equipped) over the horse's head and rest it toward the base of the mane. The snap ends of the martingale should be closest to the horse's head and the leather end should be closest to the forelegs.

    • 4

      Run the leather end of the martingale between the horse's forelegs.

    • 5

      Pull the girth through the loop in the leather end of the martingale and attach the girth to the saddle billets.

    • 6

      Bridle the horse.

    • 7

      Run the fork ends of the martingale through the rings of the bit. Be sure that the two straps are not crossed; i.e., the left snap should pass through the left bit ring.

    • 8

      Attach the snaps on each end of the fork to the d-rings on the reins.