Broken Nose - Standing Martingale?

fornema

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I managed to break my nose pretty badly today as a result of being head butted by one of the horses, however this will not put me off riding. But I do not want any further injury to my nose as its pretty painful, for those who have broken their nose have you ridden in a standing martingale during the healing process on the flat to ensure that no heads are anywhere near my nose in the case of a spook, nose flick etc. I rarely ride in a martingale as not needed however just very apprehensive of hurting it again.
 
I think standing martingales are very under rated personally. I would far rather see a young horse in one than a running martingale. They help to stop them using their head to get away from you and chuck themselves around but do not change the feel from your hands to the bit.

I would definitely put one on whilst the nose is sore.
 
I've broken my nose 3 times, each time headbutting the ground over a fence. If I was concerned that my nose would be hit (again!) I would wear an American footballer's helmet while riding =D

Standing martingale would be a good idea!
 
Yes,standing martingales have a bad press because of the mental pictures people have of horses being yanked in the mouth and throwing their heads up in pain, but for your safety it sounds a good idea. You can get one with an elasticated insert if you like.
FOr youngsters it allows a direct line of contact to horse's mouth, which running martingale doesn't. It should only come into play at danger level, not be used to pull horse's head down.
I wouldn't go xc in one though - anything other than v tiny.
 
Nothing wrong with using a standing martingale, so long as it's not too short... in your situation I would.

You can use a running martingale, if it's just temporary and you're not going anywhere special - thread the noseband through the rings, instead of the reins.
 
Loosely fitted then yes, as long as the horse isn't one that's likely to panic if he does toss his head up & suddenly come across pressure.
 
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