California Martingale #CM5
$48.00
Description: This California Martingale is made entirely of 1/4 inch solid braid nylon cord. The rein rings and cinch snap are stainless steel. The rein rings are tied with bowline knots directly into the neck strap. This makes it easy to change their position higher and lower on the neck strap for different horses or different levels of training. The neck strap and the cord running to the cinch are also adjustable. Simply let out or take up cord and re-tie the overhand knot.
This martingale is made with a 1/2 inch latigo safety hobble strap. This strap slides under your saddle’s gullet and up over the horn. It prevents the martingale from slipping up the neck if your horse lowers its head.
How it works: Unlike a running martingale, the rings on the California Martingale are tied on the neck strap and lay right on the neck. This gives you a real good, straight line from the bit to your hands. This line, or angle, will not only help your horse keep its head in position during more advanced training for collection, but it also helps your horse keep its shoulders up. This is a great aid to use on horses that want to drop their shoulders.
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Nylon Rope Cavesson w/Rawhide Braided Nose #CA1
$155.00Description: The noseband on this 3/16″ Nylon Rope Cavesson w/Rawhide Braided Nose #CA1 is made of round 3/16 inch rope. The nose button and heel knot are covered in hand braided rawhide. The headstall is made of 1/2 inch burgundy latigo leather with a leather loop keeper. The buckle is beveled stainless steel. The headstall leather just below the buckle is handsewn together to prevent the buckle from slipping when the headstall is adjusted. There are hand braided rawhide ring knots on the noseband to hold the headstall in place.
This cavesson comes in small (19 in.), medium (21 in.), large (23 in.) and extra large (25 in.) (see dropdown). In general a small will fit a horse under 14.2 hands and 900 lbs., a medium will fit a horse between 14.2 and 15 hands, a large will fit most horses between 15.1 and 16 hands and the extra large is for those over 16 hands.
Size Measurement: An easy way to be certain to get the correct cavesson size is to wrap a leadrope around the nose where the cavesson will lay, mark the leadrope with a magic marker, straighten it and then measure the leadrope. When measuring, be sure to wrap the leadrope loosely enough that the horse will have enough room between his nose and the cavesson to be comfortable and to be able to hold the bit. A good rule of thumb is 2 fingers width between the nose and cavesson (which is the diameter of most leadropes) if the horse is trained to a cavesson.
This is our favorite for a horse that has advanced beyond the leather and string cavessons. It gives the strongest signal of any of our cavessons. It looks good on a horse.
For more information on cavesson fit and use visit: There’s More to a Cavesson than Meets the Eye: How and Why to Use Cavessons
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String Cavesson w/ Rawhide Knots #CA3
$69.00Description: The String Cavesson with Rawhide Knots #CA3 has a noseband made of tan 1/8 inch solid braid nylon cord. The adjustment knots at the bottom of the noseband are covered with handbraided rawhide pineapple knots. These knots allow the noseband to be quickly and easily adjusted to 19, 21 and 23 inches. This is nice if you have a number of horses to ride. The headstall is made of 1/2 inch burgundy latigo leather that has been edged and hand-rubbed. The buckle is beveled stainless steel with a leather loop keeper. The headstall leather under the buckle is hand sewn together to prevent the buckle from slipping when the headstall is adjusted. This cavesson lays so flat under your bridle you won’t know it is there!
Size Measurement: An easy way to be certain this cavesson will fit is to wrap a leadrope around the nose where the cavesson will lay, mark the leadrope with a magic marker, straighten it and then measure the leadrope. When measuring, be sure to wrap the leadrope loosely enough that the horse will have enough room between his nose and the cavesson to be comfortable and to be able to hold the bit. A good rule of thumb is 2 fingers width between the nose and cavesson (which is the diameter of most leadropes) if the horse is trained to a cavesson. This will fit any nose between approximately 19 and 23 inches.
This cavesson is a good all-around cavesson and can be used on colts if adjusted loosely when starting them in it.
For more information on cavesson fit and use visit: There’s More to a Cavesson than Meets the Eye: How and Why to Use Cavessons
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Sliding Gag Bit with Snaffle Mouthpiece #20-9
Price range: $200.00 through $253.00Description: This Sliding Gag Bit with Snaffle Mouthpiece #20-9 comes with a 3/8 inch common snaffle and your choice of 3 headstalls. The Two Piece Snaffle works to give you a smooth, quick and more consistent response when you ask your horse to give its head. This custom designed bit slides easily on the hard lay nylon slide cord made especially for this bit. You will get quick and consistent cues from your reins because of the way the bit slides on the cord. The cord is attached to a stainless steel buckle which attaches it to adjustable single ply 3/4 inch harness leather cheeks. See the diagram at left to visualize this.
The stainless steel twisted wire headstall is designed for horses that need a very strong signal. For the more sensitive horse, a 3/4 inch harness leather slide ear headstall or a 3/4 inch brow band headstall are available (see dropdown to select).
How it works: The Sliding Gag Bit puts pressure on the mouth and at the same time the headstall crown puts pressure on the poll. These 2 points of pressure increase control of the nose and improve total balancing power. With the increased control and balance you will gain vertical flexion and feel.
The draw gag bit strengthens your rein aids so your leg cues given at the same time become reinforced. This makes it easier for the horse to respond. You will be able to concentrate on fine details of your training, rather than large rebalancing or repositioning efforts. This gag bridle will improve your horse’s flexibility and increase his response to your cues.
The center bar on the bit cheeks limits the movement of the sliding mouthpiece. This limited movement provides a quicker action and a much quicker release than gags with longer shanks. Your horse learns that when it breaks at the poll the release will be instant, smooth and consistent. Your horses will be calmer and more confident in training and competition when they are not trapped by a slow releasing gag.
Although this Sliding Gag is sold without reins, you can choose any Dennis Moreland split reins or roping reins for your sliding gag. To select your reins simply visit the rein category and add them to your order.
You may also order the Gag Bit with a twisted wire mouthpiece: #20-42 Sliding Gag w/Twisted Wire Snaffle.
Seek the help of a professional as you are learning to use a sliding gag bit if you don’t have experience.
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String Running Martingale #CM4
$48.00Description: The String Running Martingale #CM4 is made of tan 1/4 inch nylon cord. The rings and swivel snap are stainless steel. The safety hobble strap goes through the gullet of the saddle and over the horn to prevent the neck strap from sliding to the ears. This martingale is adjustable both around the neck and to the cinch.
How it works: The running martingale is a very useful tool to aid a horse in learning proper head position as he learns collection. If adjusted correctly a martingale does not force the head to stay in any given position but allows the horse a guide for head placement through automatic release of pressure on the reins when correct head placement is achieved. This can make it easier for a horse to reach a more collected frame over time by allowing assistance with head position as rider teaches the horse to drive from behind.
A good rule of thumb for adjustment is to allow horse to stand comfortably, attach snap to cinch D ring and extend ring straps until they reach the throatlatch.
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Adjustable String Cavesson #CA2
$43.00Description: The noseband on this Adjustable String Cavesson #CA2 is made of tan 1/8 inch solid braid nylon cord. The adjustment knots at the bottom allow the noseband to be quickly changed between horses to 19, 21 or 23 inches. The headstall is made of 1/2 inch burgundy latigo leather that has been edged and hand-rubbed. The buckle is beveled stainless steel with a leather loop keeper. This cavesson lays flat under your bridle and will last for years of hard use.
Size Measurement: An easy way to be certain this cavesson will fit is to wrap a leadrope around the nose where the cavesson will lay, mark the leadrope with a magic marker, straighten it and then measure the leadrope. When measuring, be sure to wrap the leadrope loosely enough that the horse will have enough room between his nose and the cavesson to be comfortable and to be able to hold the bit. A good rule of thumb is 2 fingers width between the nose and cavesson (which is the diameter of most leadropes) if the horse is trained to a cavesson.
This cavesson is a good all-around cavesson and can be used on colts if adjusted loosely when starting them in it.
For more information on cavesson fit and use visit: There’s More to a Cavesson than Meets the Eye: How and Why to Use Cavessons
