A martingale is a piece of auxiliary tack designed to limit how high a horse can raise its head, improving the rider’s control and the effectiveness of the rein aids. It works by creating additional downward pressure on the bit or noseband when the horse raises its head beyond a set point, discouraging the evasion whilst still allowing freedom of movement within normal working range. Martingales are used across multiple disciplines — from show jumping and eventing to general hacking and young horse work.
Why Horses Raise Their Heads
Horses raise their heads for several reasons: evasion (avoiding the bit or the rider’s aids), excitement, tension, pain (particularly in the back, neck, or mouth), or poor training that has not taught them to accept contact and work in a round outline. Understanding the cause matters, because a martingale addresses the symptom rather than the root cause. A horse that carries its head high due to back pain will not be helped by a martingale; it needs veterinary assessment. A young horse that shoots its head up in excitement while jumping may benefit considerably from the steadying effect a martingale provides whilst its training matures.
Types of Martingale
There are several distinct designs, each with different applications:
- Running martingale — the most widely used type in British equestrian sport. A strap runs from the girth between the forelegs and divides into two branches, each ending in a ring through which the reins pass. When the horse raises its head excessively, the rings exert downward pressure on the bit via the reins, encouraging the horse to lower its head. The running martingale allows freedom of movement within its range and is considered relatively mild and sympathetic. It is permitted in most competitive disciplines, including show jumping and eventing cross country.
- Standing martingale — a single strap that runs from the girth, between the forelegs, and attaches to the back of the noseband (specifically a cavesson noseband, never a flash or drop). It applies a fixed limit on head height rather than a dynamic, rein-mediated aid. When the horse raises its head above the set point, the martingale pulls on the noseband and restricts further upward movement. It provides a more absolute limit than the running martingale but has no influence on the bit. Standing martingales are common in polo and sometimes used on young horses and in showing.
- Irish martingale (rings) — a simple piece of tack consisting of two rings connected by a short strap, through which the reins pass. It does not affect head position directly; instead, it prevents the reins from passing over the horse’s head in a fall or if a rein breaks, which can prevent the horse catching a leg in the rein. Widely used in racing and cross country for safety rather than training purposes.
- German martingale — a more complex training aid with a longer rein system that passes through the bit rings to create a variable, progressive contact. More commonly used in groundwork and early training than in competition. It encourages the horse to carry itself in a rounded outline by applying increasing pressure as the head rises. Requires a skilled and sympathetic hand to use effectively.
- Market Harborough — similar in principle to the German martingale, attaching to the bit rings and running back to the reins. It is self-regulating: when the horse carries its head correctly, there is no pressure; as the head rises, the contact increases. Used as a training aid to establish correct head carriage.
Fitting a Martingale Correctly
Fit matters enormously — an incorrectly fitted martingale is either ineffective or actively harmful. Standard fitting guidelines:
- Running martingale — with the horse’s head in a natural working position, the martingale rings should reach up to the level of the horse’s wither. When checked with the rein, the ring should create no downward pull unless the horse lifts its head significantly above the horizontal. Rein stops (small rubber stoppers on the reins) are essential to prevent the rings sliding up and catching on the rein buckles or bit rings.
- Standing martingale — with the horse’s head in a natural position, there should be no tension at all in the strap. Check by pressing upward on the martingale: you should be able to push it into the throat without resistance when the head is in a normal working position. If there is tension at rest, it is too short.
Both types attach to a neckstrap that sits around the base of the neck, preventing the martingale from dropping between the legs.
Martingales in Competition Rules
Different governing bodies and disciplines have specific rules on which martingales are permitted. In pure dressage, martingales are generally prohibited. In show jumping under FEI and British Showjumping rules, running and standing martingales are permitted with specific fitting requirements. In British Eventing, running martingales are permitted in all three phases; standing martingales are not permitted for dressage but are allowed for showjumping and cross country. Always check the current rulebook for your discipline and level before competing. The FEI publishes its equipment rules online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my horse need a martingale?
Not necessarily. Many horses go perfectly well in a simple bridle without auxiliary tack. A martingale is appropriate when a horse habitually raises its head above the level of effective rein contact, creating a safety concern or making communication through the reins difficult. It should be considered as a tool to manage a tendency whilst training addresses the underlying cause — not as a permanent substitute for correct training. If your horse has recently started raising its head and previously did not, investigate the cause (saddle fit, back pain, teeth, bit discomfort) before reaching for a martingale.
Can a martingale cause problems?
Yes, if misused or incorrectly fitted. A running martingale set too short creates constant downward rein pressure that prevents the horse from using its head and neck freely to balance, particularly over fences. This can cause horses to become strong, hollow, or to lose confidence in jumping. A standing martingale fitted too tightly restricts the horse’s natural head movement and can cause distress and resistance. Any martingale that is consistently under tension when the horse carries its head in a normal working position is too short.
What is the difference between a running martingale and a draw rein?
Both create downward pressure on the bit, but their mechanisms and intensity are quite different. A running martingale works through rings on a divided strap and only comes into effect when the horse raises its head above a set height — at normal working head carriage, there is minimal additional rein pressure. Draw reins run from the girth, through the bit rings, and back to the rider’s hands, meaning the rider directly controls the degree and direction of pressure at all times. Draw reins are a powerful training aid that can produce rapid results but are easily misused and can cause horses to overbend, work behind the vertical, and become reliant on the extra rein support. They should only be used by experienced riders who understand their effects thoroughly.