Martingales are not permitted in dressage competitions because they directly contradict the fundamental principles of classical dressage training, particularly the concept of correct and direct contact.
The Principle of Direct Contact
A core tenet of dressage is the development of a harmonious partnership between horse and rider, built on subtle communication and the horse's willing acceptance of the aids. A key part of this is the correct, relaxed acceptance of a direct contact between the rider's hands and the horse's mouth, achieved through the reins. This contact should be soft, consistent, and allow for clear communication without force.
How Martingales Interfere
Martingales, by their design, interfere with this essential direct contact in several ways:
- Downward Pressure: They apply downward pressure to the reins, which in turn acts upon the bit in the horse's mouth.
- Coercion, Not Training: This pressure can coerce the horse into lowering its head and neck. In dressage, the horse should learn to lower its head, engage its hindquarters, and lift its back as a result of proper training, developing self-carriage and balance, not through mechanical force.
- Hindrance to True Collection: By forcing the head position, martingales can prevent the horse from truly lifting its back and engaging its core muscles, which are crucial for genuine collection and suppleness. They can mask underlying training issues rather than resolving them.
- Loss of Feel: The constant, additional tension or restriction from a martingale can deaden the rider's feel for the horse's mouth and the horse's responsiveness to the bit.
Dressage values training that encourages the horse to carry itself naturally and willingly accept the bit, fostering a true partnership based on lightness and responsiveness. Equipment that restricts or forces a head position is therefore disallowed to ensure that performance reflects the horse's genuine training and physical development, rather than external devices.