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Discussion on German martingale

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S. T. Bruce
Member
Username: Kari

Post Number: 184
Registered: 3-2000
Posted on Wednesday, Sep 8, 2004 - 10:36 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

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.
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Ella
Member
Username: Miamoo

Post Number: 30
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Thursday, Sep 9, 2004 - 10:50 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

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 :-)
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S. T. Bruce
Member
Username: Kari

Post Number: 185
Registered: 3-2000
Posted on Thursday, Sep 9, 2004 - 7:24 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

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
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Fran Cilella
Member
Username: Canter

Post Number: 103
Registered: 1-2000
Posted on Thursday, Sep 9, 2004 - 9:06 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

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
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S. T. Bruce
Member
Username: Kari

Post Number: 186
Registered: 3-2000
Posted on Thursday, Sep 9, 2004 - 10:46 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

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!
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Ella
Member
Username: Miamoo

Post Number: 31
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Thursday, Sep 9, 2004 - 10:51 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

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 :-)
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Katrina Turner
Member
Username: Kthorse

Post Number: 279
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Friday, Sep 10, 2004 - 8:41 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

heres one for $32.00
http://web.mawebcenters.com/faulkner5/item116143.ctlg
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S. T. Bruce
Member
Username: Kari

Post Number: 187
Registered: 3-2000
Posted on Saturday, Sep 11, 2004 - 7:56 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

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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