Reins, martingales, lead ropes; how to stay untangled!

I took this photo at the 15 mile vetcheck on day 1 at High Desert this last weekend.

I was almost ready to leave and had Bo’s reins and bit back on him.  I still needed to clip the martingale to the rings on the reins.  In the photo it’s clipped to the center ring on the breast collar and hanging.

If you enlarge the photo (click on it) you can see the two brass rings hanging at the low point on the reins.  They have been “squished” to be more of an oval shape in order to get them over the rein snaps.  Closer to the ends of the reins (where they clip to the bit) you’ll notice the black rein stops – those are there to keep the reins from sliding up too high and getting caught.

Bo is standing here next to Tigger, who was being ridden by Dave.

You can see in the browband on Tigger’s headstall that Dave has one of his silver coins from Outlaw Trail.  Tigger doesn’t know he’s making a fashion statement!  lol

I’m using a Myler combo bit on Bo.  This one in particular works very well on him and it hasn’t caused any rubs even on multidays.  I did change him over to a S-hack after the next check though.

I’m still using a running martingale on Bo.  My goal for next ride season is to work with him and get him to the point that he no longer needs it.  In the meantime, I’m using it because he’s so strong and I don’t want to tire myself out arguing with him over our rate of speed.

Using a martingale can complicate things though especially if you like to get off of your horse very often.  I like to give Bo breaks on the downhills and often will lead in or out of a check or camp.  This extra lead really comes in real handy when I want to hop off and run or lead down a hill, then hop back on without taking much time.

My rope clipped to the O-ring - that part ALSO clips to the breastcollar. The other end clips to the horses halter/bridle.

On Saturday we were doing “The Gym” (steep climbs) during the hottest part of the day.  I used this lead there since I got off and ran down from the top to the water.

When you have a martingale attached it makes it a little more complicated to pull the reins over the head, and to put them back again — without getting tangled.  Maybe it’s just me, but I always manage to somehow get something crossed up.  My solution is to add a second lead rope that clips to the bottom of the horses halter or bridle and then to the side on the breast collar.  The first photo shows that.

To make this setup, I use two caribbeaners and 6 or 7 feet of climbing rope, that you can find at REI or most outdoor type stores.  In addition, I have a round metal O ring that is about midway through the rope.  I use that to take up the slack when clipping to the breast collar with the caribbeaner on the opposite end than the halter end.

The rope shown in the second photo measures 65 inches, with the knots tied in it.  You should add an additional 12 to 15 inches to that length to allow for the knots – more for thicker rope.

The rope length needs to be such that the horse can reach down to eat and drink.

When I get ready to dismount, I keep the rommel on my reins draped over the water bottle on my saddle packs.  I can reach forward and un-clip the lead rope from the breast collar and then hop off.  I then pull the lead rope through to the front so that I am now using it to lead the horse.  The reins and martingale stay in place and I don’t have to touch them.

When I mount back up again, I simply clip the caribbeaner back onto the O-ring and then onto the breast collar.  I’m on my way – no tangle, no mess just get on and go!

Be sure to clip the lead rope underneath the reins so that there is no interference when you mount back up and pick the reins up.  It might take awhile to get the hang of it, but this system can work really well and save time by not having to clip/unclip martingales or other things.  It’s also handy if you want to pull the reins and bit off of your horse for a vetcheck.