Elasticated standing martingale on a rearer

paddi22

paddi22

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I have an exracer is a natural rearer. I have worked with several professionals and trainers to try and sort out the cause, but the root cause is that he just seems to lose all reason once his head goes above a certain level. If he is stressed and raises his head he just goes into complete meltdown even when all pressure is released, and it takes him ages to calm down. I have ridden a few rearers and it doesn't bother me massively, he is easy enough to disengage by circling.

But I tried a lunge bungy on him as a test and he goes really sweetly in it. It just seems to keep his head down and relaxed and he doesn't find it restrictive as it gives. Even if he spooks and gets upset you can kick on and he doesn't try and rear. It's like his panic mode doesn't set in as his head can't get high enough.

I'd like to bring him out and compete him though but the lunge-bungy looks odd! Would an elasticated standing martingale do the same job? Has anyone any experience of a similar horse? I've never ridden in a standing martingale so I have no idea what kind of stuff you can do - I'd imagine jumping is out?
 
I used a JW standing attachment on my mare when she came back from trial and had been rearing there... Two sessions in it and she was gently reminded that she was home and mum knew best! Certainly worked short term, would assume that it would long term too- and plenty of people jump in them, though personally I don't.
 
I ride crazy pony in a standing as she has a tendency to 'boil over' we jump in it fine and compete around 85cm. It's not tight enough so her head it strapped to her chest so it doesn't really restrict her jumping, although it may over a bigger course (but she's only 13.2) I've found it really helps :)
 
It's no issue at all to jumping in a standing martinglae that is fitted correctly.

I've used it to good effect on one or two rearers but there are others I feel would have been more dangerous if they were restricted.

If you aren't getting any negative reaction to the bungee you could try the standing and see how you go.
 
I have my mare in an elasticated martingale to jump for this exact reason, she rarely rears now but as she broke my collar bone rearing i wont risk not having her in it to jump!
Properly fitted you should have no issues.
 
Thanks for all the feedback, good to know that the standing martingale could be a goer and that it is possible to jump in it! He wouldn't be the worlds best jumper, but at least we have the option. The elasticated one will work hopefully.
 
I too use a standing (but not elasticated) on my boy, sounds similar to yours. Once his head and anxiety hit a certain height then any pressure on the reins will cause an over the top reaction. He hasn't done it often but I know the triggers. I find with him that if I ease off the contact, take hold of the neck strap and rub his withers whilst talking to him and saying "easy etc", I can now get him back to the land of the sane in a few seconds.

The standing martingale has helped both our confidence so I would recommend it too.
 
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