Training Martingales & Chambon

A training Martingale or Market Harborough is operated by the horse, not the rider. The Market Harborough attaches to the girth much like an ordinary martingale, travels up between the front legs, dividing into two narrow straps with a small clip hook at the end of each strap. These straps pass through the bit, unlike a normal running martingale, from the inside through to the outside and then clip onto the reins which will need to be modified and have small D rings attached.

In simple terms, when the horse raises its head, rein pressure is applied by the action of the horse, when the horse lowers its head, the pressure is relieved. Some horses simply need more persuasive control than that offered by a running martingale and the Market Harborough offers this. It can sometimes be legal to use in competition. The Market Harborough should only be used in conjunction with an ordinary snaffle; any bit with a lever action, such as a Pelham or gag, will work in conflict with the martingale.

A chambon is a training device not normally permitted in competition and is, therefore, used in training both under saddle and on the lunge. It is a simple mechanism, which clips onto the top of the snaffle ring of the bit then passes across rings near the ears, running down the horse’s neck and fastening to the girth between the front legs just like a martingale. Because of its location on the horse’s head, the chambon is usually made of rolled leather or cord.

The chambon is an excellent way to encourage a horse with a high head carriage and stiff, locked back to work in a more correct and relaxed outline. It should be introduced on the lunge first before the horse works in it under saddle.