Global Endurance Blog

Asymetry anyone?

"Do you know that your martingales are only on one side?"

 

On many endurance events, observant and  well meaning crew, fellow riders and spectators remind  the riders of Global Endurance Center of the fact that their running  martingales are  on one side of the reins.

Indeed, they are!

 

Nice symmetrical martingales, but is this arrangement always practical?

 

What are the reasons for this symmetry? Is it for looks or function?

Riding with symmetrical martingales certainly has it's place in the arena. But it does not give us any advantages on the trail, on endurance or conditioning rides.

When flexing and bending a horse, symmetrical martingales only allow a flexing of about 45 degrees on each side. After that angle is reached, the opposing martingale will inhibit any further bending by counteracting and preventing the outside of the neck to stretch any further. Just imagine, if you had a difficult horse, a run away or bolt. It would be very hard to bend or circle the horse enough to gain control.

Quite different is the situation with the one sided or asymmetrical martingales.

Now the rider can bend the horse equally and unrestricted on both sides.

 

 

One might wonder why we use martingales in the first place.

Martingales have been used in dressage and many other equestrian disciplines to encourage collection and also preventing sudden head tossing by the horses in training or when getting spooked.

 

Unrestricted bending laterally

 

Flexing at the poll

When using martingales, it is important to follow these two  rules:

-Always use rein stoppers. 

-The length of the martingale need to  be  the proper length: in line with the straight reins from the bit through the hand and elbow of the rider.

 

If used without rein stoppers, the metal rings can easily catch on the rings of the rein clips, thus creating havoc for the horse and possibly flipping the horse backwards.

Martingales that are too long do not serve any purpose. If they are too short, the reins will get bend downwards, impeding the communication between the horse's mouth (bit) and the rider. Furthermore, it can over-flex the poll, hindering proper breathing and compromising performance.

Here, the martingale is too short, causing a kink in the reins, thus interrupting the direct line of communication. Hands, elbow and shoulders are in great position otherwise.

Straight line from bit through hands, elbow and shoulders (there can be a small bend at the elbow, depending on the situation)

Nice hand and elbow position on this rider

 

 

During endurance rides, you may want to  switch the sides of the running martingale. Half of  the riding time,  place both rings on the left side, the other half on the right side.

If you want to condition one side of the horse more than the other, then  select the side accordingly. Let's say that you train a horse that is left side dominant but you want to strengthen and build up the right side.  Placing the rings of the martingale on the left side of the reins  will make it easier to shorten that side, lengthen the right side of the neck and shoulder and encourages the horse to take the right lead.

 

At Global Endurance Training Center  we found the use of running martingale very beneficial for most horses, especially during training and conditioning rides. Applied and used properly, it is a very useful tool.

 

Christoph Schork

from GETC

 

 

Sensational !!

Global Endurance Training Center is proud to announce that as of last month, we are distributors of the Sensation Treeless Saddles.

 

Christoph riding a Sensation Westlish saddle on his mare, Stars Aflame, at the National 100 Mile AERC Championship to a First Place Win and receiving the BC Award.

With so many treeless saddles on the market now, why did we choose to add the the Sensation Saddle line to our inventory?

You can count on the quality. Sensations are designed in Canada, and made in Canada. The materials are primarily North American, and all the leather comes from Canada or the USA. All saddles are made with quality leather designed to last you thousands of miles of comfort.

The quality of the workmanship, the stitching seen here, is superb.

Your Horse, of Course. Sensations are the only treeless saddle design to utilize a multi-point stirrup attachment. This means better weight distribution for your horse, particularly important when you’re riding long and hard. When your Sensation saddle is set up in the hard use or endurance attachments, you can count on having an even better weight distribution than a treed saddle. Taking the tree out of a saddle doesn’t make it a treeless saddle – thoughtful engineering and a redesigned weight distribution system allows it to be a true treeless saddle, and not just a bareback pad with stirrups.

 

The stirrups can get hung precicly where you want them, you can adjust them to your personal needs and alignment.

 

Here the G4 stirrup adjustment. You may use any of the three billets as stirrup hanger, the other two will serve for the girth.

Choices, Choices, Choices. Break traditions! Each Sensation Saddle is custom  made to suit your needs. Who says you can only ride in black and brown saddles? Who says you have to ride English or Western? You can choose the components you like best and combine them to create your perfect saddle. Be flashy, go with Hot Pink if that’s what you like. Every horse and rider is different and Sensation offers a wide variety of options in Leather, Seat Size, Flap shape, cantle and pommel sizes, rigging adjustments, etc. We want to ensure you have the best saddle to suit YOUR needs, and almost anything is possible. 

Here the Sensation Westlish Rebel saddle on Baloo Bit O Honey,  customized red seat and knee rolls. The leather is so soft, that Christoph is able to ride 50 miles in shorts on it without getting any rubbing on his legs.

The Sensation Harmony Element saddly, with customized fleece seat.

Complete Comfort and connection. The Sensation Ride saddles have been ergonomically designed to permit the rider a close contact, balanced (yet customizable) seat using medical grade foams, high grade custom felts, wool and leather.  These same materials allow air flow through the saddle's layers; breathability is important to the comfort of you and your horse, and we believe that neoprene and rubbers just don't perform in a way that permits exhaustion of heat and moisture.  The Sensation saddles will mould to you and your horse. No hard parts in our saddles! The saddle will form fit to you like a fine new leather shoe.

G4 Westlish Rebel Sensation saddle fits horse and rider: riding in synergy. (Christoph on Stars Aflame)

Uphill during the championship race

 

Did you know that..

Sensation Ride saddles have the best weight distribution system in the treeless saddle world? This is important for keeping the rider's weight from being concentrated over a small area at any time during the rider's position.

Sensation Ride saddle owners are using their saddles for: Assisted riding therapy, endurance, dressage, back country treks, jumping, hunting, competitive trail, gaited riding, starting youngsters, reining, gymkhana & more!

 

The Sensation G4 Western Sport Trail saddle. All Sensation saddles are equipped with the pommel strap for easy one hand carrying. Useful as well for attaching essential gear. Or mayby holding onto occasionally when riding a bronc.

The same model mounted on Stars Aflame

 

Global Endurance Training Center has now the following Sensation saddles in stock:

 

15.5 inch G3 Hybrid

16 inch G4 Western Trail, displayed here with HAF pad

Both saddles are available right now. For a complete saddle line up and for ordering and customizing your Sensation saddle, contact us at Global Endurance Training Center:

Tel 435 719 4033  or

Email: [email protected].

 

On average, it will take about 6 weeks after ordering your saddle before you can ride and enjoy it.

 

Global Endurance Center also distributes Freeform saddles and Specialized saddles. Specialized saddles are treed saddles that can get fine tuned to the horses back through a system of foam wedges. More info available through our website as well.

GETC offers this variety of saddles, treeless and with tree, to cover any saddle needs you might have, so you and your horse can ride in total comfort.

We provide ongoing consultation and advice to find the right saddle for you and your horse.

 

 

Enjoy the Ride!