Martingales & Breastplates For Horse

A running martingale acts on the bit through the reins via a forked strap that ends in two rings - it discourages the horse from raising its head above the bit but only when the rider takes contact. A standing martingale runs from the noseband to the breastplate or girth and is fixed length - it sets a hard ceiling on head height regardless of rein contact. An Irish martingale (or bib) is a short connector that prevents the reins from being thrown over the horse's head in a fall - common in cross-country and racing.

The neck strap should fit close enough that you can fit one hand under it, but not so tight that it restricts movement. The fork length on a running martingale should be set so the rings sit on a clear straight line from bit to rider's hand when the horse's head is in working position. Most martingales come in pony, cob and full sizes; tell us your horse's size and we'll point you at the right pattern.

For jumping, the most common combination is a CWD or Dyon running martingale paired with a bridge or three-point breastplate. Cross-country adds a bib martingale to prevent thrown reins. Show jumping classes sometimes restrict martingale type - check class rules before competing.

We carry CWD (running martingales in classic, elastic and raised patterns, bib martingales, hunter forks, the Raised Adjustable Bridge Breastplate, modular attachments and the Auge Guard), Dyon (running martingales, breastplates including the Long Bridge and Snake, plus modular attachments), Butet (three-point breastplates and hunting/sport configurations) and Kentucky (Sheepskin Breastplate Cover for fitting under any breastplate).

Wipe down after each ride to clear sweat. Clean weekly with mild saddle soap and condition sparingly. Inspect the buckle holes and stitching - the fork on a running martingale and the bridge on a breastplate are high-stress areas worth checking regularly. Replace any martingale showing stretched holes or compromised stitching at a load-bearing point. The Kentucky Sheepskin Breastplate Cover protects the leather and the horse's chest from friction.

The CWD Raised Adjustable Bridge Breastplate and the Dyon Long Bridge Breastplate both use anatomic shaping with adjustable bridge fittings - the closest to a five-point pattern in our standard range. Tell us your horse's size and we'll confirm fit. For dedicated five-point breastplates from other brands, contact us and we can usually source them in.