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Not all horses need martingales, but they can be really helpful when training young horses, and when riding in situations in which the horse is likely to become nervous, strong, or forward. Martingales all have the end goal of affecting the position of the horse's head. However, they work in different ways, depending on the type of martingale you have. The following are three of the most common martingales seen in English riding. Each has its own purpose and nuances.

Standing Martingale

A standing martingale connects to the nose band of the English bridle. It basically keeps the horse from raising its head past a certain point, or from stretching its head out too far. A properly fitted standing martingale is rather loose, and it only comes into effect when the horse really raises its head. Standing martingales are usually used on the flat for training, and they are permitted in the over-fences classes at hunter shows. However, you would not want to jump on uneven ground with one, as the horse may not be able to properly raise and use its head if it tripped. As such, standing martingales are not legal in eventing.

Running Martingale

A running martingale has a fork of leather that splits, with rings on the ends of both sides of the fork. Your reins run through these rings. If your horse raises his head too high, the martingale puts a slight downward pressure on the reins, helping to correct the horse. Running martingales give the horse more freedom of movement than standing martingales, so they are a common choice with jumpers, eventers, and fox hunters. Some even ride their more mature, educated horses in a running martingale because it prevents the horse from excitedly raising its head and bopping the rider. 

German Martingale

The German martingale has two leather straps that pass through the bit and hook to the reins. When your horse tries to pull or toss its head, the German martingale corrects this with a gentle pull. The horse basically pulls on itself. German martingales do restrict the horse's movement significantly, so they are not used over fences — only on the flat. They are never shown in and are more of an occasional training aid to be used at home.

You should not have a better idea of what martingale choices exist and when each one works best. As always, choose what's best suited to your horse and your discipline. For more information about English tack, reach out to a local supplier.