The Benefits of Using a Training Martingale or Training Fork

Training martingales or training forks are popular training aids to encourage your horse to carry their head in a lower, collected position, used commonly by Western riders and Arabian breed disciplines. These martingales are designed with a Y-shaped split that comes up from a center snap, which attaches to the girth. The reins run through rings on each side of the Y-shaped martingale fork, using pressure on the bit anytime the horse lifts their head or the rider adds additional pressure by pulling on the reins or shortening the contact.

Frequently Asked Questions About Training Martingales and Forks

What is a training martingale?

A training martingale, or training fork, is a type of martingale used as a training aid to encourage your horse to carry its head in a lower, collected position, used commonly by Western riders and Arabian breed disciplines. They both apply pressure to the bit if the horse lifts their head too high, giving the rider control over the desired head carriage, with the reins running through rings on each side of the Y-shaped martingale fork. Check out our blog, Understanding Martingales for Horses: A Comprehensive Guide, to learn more.

How do you train a horse with a martingale?

You would train a horse with a training martingale, or training fork, as a training aid that helps teach a horse to keep their head low and collected, in the ideal position you prefer. The martingale has a Y-shaped split with rings going on each rein, which adds pressure to the bit as the horse lifts their head, and as you pull on or shorten your reins. The horse will learn to lower their head to avoid the pressure, thus learning how to maintain that head position on its own when the training martingale is removed.

What's the difference between a training fork and a martingale?

The difference between a training fork and a training martingale is that the training fork is similar to the English style running martingale, but is instead primarily used for Western riding and made to match Western tack. The training martingale is designed nearly identical but with a strap that goes over the top of the horse’s neck to hold the rings in one area rather than sliding the full length of the reins.