Is Your Horse Running Off With You?
A common problem when riding is getting a horse to slow down or stop, sometimes speeding up or running off with the rider even when pulling on the reins, often referred to as “running through the bit”. Far too often I get people saying their horse is “running through the bit” and ask for recommendations for a stronger bit that will give them more control to get their horse to slow down and stop. My answer is always the same, the problem and solution isn’t with the bit (assuming the cause isn’t from a poor fitting bit that may that may be causing discomfort to the horse). A properly trained horse should slow down and stop using the mildest of bits, including a basic training snaffle. In fact, if a horse is well trained you should be able to ride and control them using just a halter.
When a horse runs through the bit or won’t slow down it’s often because he’s not collected properly, usually raising his head high above the vertical position which allows him to minimize control and pressure from the bit. Often this is due to the lack of proper training or he has developed this habit so the rider has less control over him.
If he’s a young horse you may want to go back the training pen for more ground work and lunge or drive him with a surcingle to get him to collect and set is head properly and give to the bit, and re-school him to stop on the “Whoa” command.
A very effective training device is the “German Martingale” which is specially designed for schooling a horse to give to the bit, flex at the poll and maintain good vertical and lateral head position. This device is ideal for aiding a horse to learn proper head position for stops, spins and collection. Many top trainers also use this device for training colts as well as reining and cutting horses. One important thing you must know, the German Martingale isn’t like a standard martingale, it’s designed only as a training aid and and not as “Daily Use” tack. Possibly one of the most valuable pieces of training equipment you can own.
If you’ve never used one before, you’ll be amazed at how much control you’ll have with very little effort, and the horse learns faster than most other methods. The German Martingale is a two piece set with specialized reins which are usually available in both split reins or a single one piece roping rein. Martingale forks go through the bit and snap to any of the available D rings on the reins (typically 3 or 4). Using the various D rings allows you to place and set a horse’s head just where you want it, and also to increase or decrease pressure. The German Martingale provides you with more direct contact with the horse’s mouth, therefore you need to be light handed with the reins, and you should only use a snaffle bit with the German Martingale. Do not adjust it too tightly. Martingales adjusted too tight can cause a horse to resist more to try and alleviate the extreme downward pressure and cause the horse not to learn properly.
You can purchase German Martingales from cowboycorner-az.com, they offer one made of Harness leather with split reins for about $55 – $60, or one made of Latigo leather with a single roper style rein for around $65 -$70. Cowboy Corner is one of Northern Arizona’s only full service tack and saddle shops.
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