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.
Related products
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1 3/4″ Hobble #H2
$126.00Description: The 1 3/4″ Hobble #H2 is handmade of doubled and stitched burgundy latigo leather with smooth handmade stainless steel squares. This is a stout hobble at 1 3/4 inches. The soft but strong latigo leather should not chafe your horse’s legs.
How it works: Many horses have been saved from severe injury when caught in wire because they were hobble trained. A horseman may also teach his or her horse to accept hobbles and sidelines so it won’t need to be tied or ground tied. When a horse is hobbled it won’t hurt its mouth with a jerk from a stepped on or looped rein. Hobbles and sidelines can also have a quieting effect on the horse’s mind. Investing in hobbles and their training can have big pay-backs.
Visit “Hobble Along” to read my Tack Talk article on proper and safe use of hobbles.
The first time you use the hobbles on your colt or horse, or while training the horse to accept hobbles, use a wide open sandy area. Do not put hobbles on in a confined space until they accept them easily and well. If you are not familiar with the use of hobbles seek help from a professional who is experienced with their use.
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German Martingale Complete #CM1A
$527.00How it works: The key to any German Martingale is the release of pressure on the bit. The Y-cord on my German Martingale is made with a very tightly braided cord with a hard finish. This cord runs from the cinch, through the rings of the bit and connects to the reins at the Y cord rein knot (please see diagram). This cord releases immediately, with no drag, when you release finger-tip pressure on the reins. The horse learns to respond to pressure on the bit from this quick and rewarding release.
The neck strap on my German Martingale is long to give the correct angle from the cinch to the bit. This angle is very important in the training process because it encourages a horse to lower its neck from the withers before flexing at the poll. You will not find this angle on other German Martingales. The safety hobble on the neck strap goes through the gullet and over the horn to prevent the neck strap from sliding forward and getting caught behind the ears. Without the safety hobble pressure from the martingale sliding forward may cause a horse to rear up and possibly fall over backwards.
There is only one simple adjustment on my German Martingale; the adjustment knot that leads to the cinch snap. This can be adjusted so this Martingale fits any size horse correctly. This is a great tool to use on any age horse. It helps relax and collect a horse and helps eliminate dropped shoulders in preparation for advanced maneuvers.
A German Martingale needs to be used correctly and with caution. Always check a horse from the ground so they know the German Martingale is there before you get on. Do not let the horse drop its head to the ground because he can step through the martingale rein and cause an accident. When you dismount, immediately unsnap the martingale from the cinch.
Description: The complete German Martingale includes the #HS24 3/4″ Browband Headstall, your choice of the #17-9 Heavy Ring Snaffle with 3/8th inch 2 piece mouthpiece, the #17-42 Heavy Ring Snaffle with 3/16th inch twisted wire mouthpiece or the #18 Egg Butt Snaffle and your choice of 3 harness leather reins. The choice of reins includes: the #ASR6 DM Harness Leather Split Reins which are 6 1/2 to 7 feet and work well on the smaller horse, the #ASR3 XX Harness Leather Split Reins which are 7 to 7 1/2 feet and are a good length for the average horse of 14.2 to 16 hands, and the #ASR2 XXX Harness Leather Split Reins are 7 1/2 to 8 feet and work well on horses 16 hands and over.
Also shown on the horse is the #CA1 3/16th” Rope Cavesson with Rawhide Braided Nose. This cavesson is sold separately and not included in the price of the German Martingale.
Assistance from a professional is necessary to learn safe use of a German Martingale. If you’re not familiar with the proper use of a German Martingale, get the help of a professional trainer who is experienced with its use.
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German Martingale with Split Reins #CM1C
$202.00Description: The German Martingale with Split Reins #CM1C is the same as the German Martingale Complete #CM1A but without headstall or bit. The martingale is made of 1/4 inch tan nylon cord and comes with your choice of 3 harness leather reins: #ASR6 DM Harness Leather Split Reins are 6 1/2 to 7 feet long and work well on smaller horses, the #ASR3 XX Harness Leather Split Reins are 7 to 7 1/2 feet long and a good choice for horses 14.2 to 16 hands and the #ASR2 XXX Harness Leather Split Reins are 7 1/2 to 8 feet long and work well for horses 16 hands and over. See dropdown to order.
How it Works: The key to the German martingale is the long neck strap giving a good line from the bit to the cinch. This allows the neck to lower from the withers before flexing at the poll. The 1/8 inch solid braid cord that runs through the bit to the reins has a high quality hard finish so slides very easily allowing a quick release. The release is more important than the pull but you have to pull to get the release. A horse learns from the release. The safety hobble strap attached to the neck strap goes through the gullet of the saddle and over the horn to prevent the neck strap from sliding to the ears.
Assistance from a professional is necessary to learn safe use of a German martingale.
The 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 the rider teaches the horse to drive from behind.
The labeled diagram shows the Complete German Martingale #CM1A. This German Martingale with Split Reins #CM1C is the same but comes without headstall and bit.
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1″ Hobble #H1
$85.00Description: This 1″ Hobble #H1 is made of doubled and stitched burgundy latigo leather. The buckle is a stainless steel square top roller buckle and the rings are stainless steel. It is small enough to hang on your saddle rear D and stout enough to last for years.
How it works: This hobble works especially well for sacking out colts and patience training when used in combination with the #SL1 Bronc Sideline (shown on horse in picture). Hobbles are very good for teaching patience, trust in the handler, and responding correctly to pressure.
Many horses have been saved from severe injury when caught in wire because they were hobble trained. A horseman may also teach his or her horse to accept hobbles and sidelines so it won’t need to be tied or ground tied. When a horse is hobbled it won’t hurt its mouth with a jerk from a stepped on or looped rein. Hobbles and sidelines can also have a quieting effect on the horse’s mind. Investing in hobbles and their training can have big pay-backs.
To put a set of hobbles on:
1. Starting with the right front leg, wrap the end of the hobble strap clockwise around the leg and lace it through the first metal ring.
2. Lace the strap through the second ring.
3. Run the strap behind the left front leg.
4. Buckle the strap.
For more information on hobbles read my Tack Talk Article Hobble Along.
The first time you use the hobbles on your colt or horse, or while training the horse to accept hobbles, use a wide open sandy area. Do not put hobbles on in a confined space until they accept them easily and well. If you are not familiar with the use of hobbles seek help from a professional who is experienced with their use.
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Adjustable Latigo Leather Cavesson #CA5
Price range: $80.00 through $86.25Description: This Adjustable Latigo Leather Cavesson #CA5 is made with a doubled and stitched 5/8 inch burgundy latigo leather noseband. The chin strap and headstall are single ply burgundy latigo leather. This latigo is a soft, pliable leather that feels good on a horse’s face. It’s stout and will last for years of hard use. The buckles and rings are stainless steel. This cavesson is available in small and large sizes. Both sizes are adjustable. The noseband on the small cavesson adjusts between 20 1/2 and 24 inches and the crown adjusts between 30 and 33 inches. The noseband on the large cavesson adjusts between 23 and 27 inches and the crown adjusts between 31 and 38 inches. Generally speaking, the small size will fit the smaller or young horse (approximately 14.2 hands and under) and the large size will fit the mature/bigger horse over 14.2 hands.
Size Measurement: An easy way to be certain to get the correct sized cavesson 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 starting cavesson and is also good for sensitive horses. It should be adjusted loosely when starting any horse 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
