Buying martingales and breastplates: Auxiliary reins for riding
There are various auxiliary reinsthat can support you during trail rides, jumping, or pole work. These include the martingaleand the breastplate, some of which are even permitted in show jumping competitions. On this page, we have summarized the differences between a martingaleand a breastplate, what the Thiedemann reinlooks like, and what you should consider when buying.
Martingale, breastplate, and Thiedemann rein: these are the differences
Auxiliary reinsare typically used by inexperienced riders, as they help beginners sit correctly on the horse and establish good communication. However, an auxiliary reincan also be valuable support for experienced riders, for example, when riding cross-country or wanting to use an aid for jumping.
The martingale: Auxiliary rein for jumping and trail riding
A martingaleconsists of two rings connected by a leather strap and attached to the breastplate. The reins are then passed through these two rings. The martingaleis particularly helpful for horses that push their heads up high or constantly toss their heads. However, it only works effectively when the head is truly lifted too high; in a correct posture, the horse is not restricted.
The martingale consists of the following components:
- Martingale fork
- Neck strap
- Strap for attachment to the girth
The martingaleis less helpful if the horse suffers from Headshaking Syndrome, as the martingalewould then act permanently and not just occasionally. In these cases, there is no learning effect because the head movements are involuntary.
Martingale stoppers for the martingale rein
With the martingale, there is a possibility that it can slip in the area of the front legs. This is precisely what the martingale stopper prevents. It is attached to the martingaleafterward and is available individually.
The breastplate: How to prevent the saddle from slipping
In contrast to the martingale, the breastplateon the horse has no effect on its head carriage. Instead, it is an optional piece of equipment that you can use to prevent the saddle from slipping.
The breastplate consists of the following components:
- removable martingale fork
- two breast straps or a breastplate
- strap for attachment to the girth
The breastplateconsists of a wide strap that is attached to both ends of the saddle and placed around the horse's chest below its neck. The breastplate is made either of leather or an elastic fabric. A distinction is made between 3-point and 5-point breastplates. The 3-point breastplate is buckled on both sides of the saddle, as well as at the wither and on the girth. The 5-point variant is additionally attached to the girth straps, which means two more straps to buckle.
The draw rein: Ideal for training beginners in equestrian sports
The draw rein is almost exclusively used by beginners to establish a continuous rein connection. This allows the beginner to first concentrate on a balanced seat and correct aids. The draw rein consists of two straps that are attached directly to the snaffle rings on the sides of the girth. Draw reins should only be used sparingly, as they can be very rigid and severely limit the horse's stretching posture. Draw reins should only be used during training with the horse.
The Thiedemann rein: For correcting head carriage
The Thiedemann rein is also known as the Köhler rein. It consists of several straps and serves for a gentle correction of the horse's head carriage. One of the straps is placed around the horse's neck as a loop, while the others are buckled to the saddle and the rein. This auxiliary rein should only be used by experienced riders and is only used when the horse tends to carry its head too far forward or upward. The Thiedemann rein limits the range of motion of the horse's head upwards and forwards, but not to the sides.
Buy martingales and breastplates in the Kavalio online shop
Discover our selection of martingales, breastplatesand other auxiliary reinsin our online shop for horse and rider. You can get high-quality breastplates in combination with safety reins from our manufacturer Waldhausen. Kiefferalso produces beautiful leather breastplates with elastic neck straps and chrome fittings.
We offer a classic martingale at a fair price from our manufacturer Busse. It is made of leather and equipped with an adjustable neck strap and running rings. Martingale stoppers from the Sprengerbrand, made of black rubber, are available to match.
