How to Use Martingales

Standing martingale.

Martingales, whether used for horses or dogs, are intended to help you control your animal better. If your horse is tossing its head frequently or your dog is walking you more than you're walking your dog, then a martingale may be the right piece of equipment for you.

Things You'll Need

• Martingale
• Horse or dog
• Dog leash

Instructions

Martingales for Horses

1. Take your horse to the vet for a thorough check-up before deciding to use a martingale. While head tossing can be a behavioral problem that would benefit from using a martingale, it can also be a sign that your horse is trying to tell you something. For example, the bit or the girth could be irritating your horse, or a more serious health problem may need attention.

2. Decide whether you need a standing or running martingale. A standing martingale, also known as a tie-down, is generally used for active sports like polo and barrel racing. A running martingale requires more finesse on the part of the rider and runs directly to the horse's bit.

3. Put a standing martingale on your horse. The standing martingale consists of a ring that sits at the base of your horse's neck. The ring also has two pieces of leather attached to it, each with loops on the loose end. One loop attaches to the horse's girth, and the other loops around the noseband on the horse's bridle. When your horse is standing calm and relaxed, lift the neckband to the horse's head. If it doesn't touch the head easily, then the martingale is too tight. Loosen the buckles to create more slack in the straps until the martingale is loose enough.

4. 

   Put a running martingale on your horse. The running martingale is slightly more complicated than the standing martingale. It has the same loop that goes around the horse's neck and one strap that attaches to the girth. Instead of a strap connecting to the noseband, though, a running martingale has two straps with metal loops at each end. The reigns are run through the loops. Running martingale's give the rider the option to "activate" the martingale--when a horse is speeding off in a jumper ring for example. A standing martingale is always working.

Martingales for Dogs

1. 

   Decide if you need a martingale for your dog. Martingale dog collars were initially meant for dogs with heads that were smaller than their necks, meaning that it was easy for them to pull out of their collars. Today, martingale dog collars are used for this purpose and also for dog training as an alternative to a traditional choke collar.

2. Put the martingale collar on your dog. Adjust the collar, just like you would a belt with a belt buckle--until the collar is fitted to your dog's neck firmly. You should still be able to slide two fingers under the collar.

3. Use a dog martingale to teach your dog to heel. Pick one side to walk your dog on and be consistent. Pick the side that is natural for you and stick with it.

4. Walk forward with your dog, and tighten up the leash until there is little slack. Your dog should not be able to walk in front of you, but should have enough slack to walk at your side.

5. Pull back on the martingale collar when your dog is pulling ahead of you. Say "heel" while pulling your dog back to your side. The martingale collar will tighten around your dog's neck. When your dog is walking at your side without pulling on the martingale collar, say your dog's name and say "good heel" in a soothing voice.

References

• Which Martingale Should I Use?
• Jessica Jahiel's Horse Sense: Martingale to Improve Trot?
• Martingale Collars for Dogs