How to Fit a Horse With a Standing Martingale
- 1). Slide the martingale neck strap around your horse's neck so that the buckle is on the horse's left. This strap should slide freely; do not tighten the buckle so that you cannot move the strap. Note that if you ride your horse in a breastplate, you will not need this strap.
- 2). Slide the girth into the loop at the end of the martingale. Include some slack from the rubber stop at the intersection of the neck strap and martingale, but not so much that it can interfere with your horse's legs; it should not dangle. You can adjust this with the rubber stop. Make sure the martingale is centered between your horse's leg when you affix the girth to the saddle. Check it again if you tighten the girth later.
- 3). Slide the end of the noseband into the small loop at the tip of the martingale, and reattach the noseband. Now take the slack in the martingale and place it up along the underside of your horse's neck and throat; it should reach all the way up underneath the throat latch. If it does not, then the martingale is too tight and you are severely restricting your horse's head. If you can lay it up against the throatlatch with some dangling, it is too loose. Adjust accordingly.
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