hacking out!!market harborough

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Sags_Deer

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my boy thinks its one big party out hacking, he is fab in traffic but just thinks scary monsters such as drains are fun to spook at, along with the fact he is pretty fit and likes life. im thinking of trying a market harborough to hack him in or draw reins just to give me a bit more control, im trying to avoid a stronger bit as he does a lot of dressage. anyone any other suggestions or know anything about m harboroughs never used one. thanks
 
A market harbrough is used to prevent a horse from bringing it's head up...a little like a running martingale. It won't per se add brakes
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If your horse evades by raising it's head then fair play, give it a go, but otherwise, look at a stronger bit
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The two (three actually) that I'm riding are just like that. Two very fit hunters, and little event horse doing her fittening work.

We just get on with it to be honest. They are obviously all feeling well, and the spookiness is one way it manifests itself.

Not sure that hacking out in the MH or draw reins will do anything more than just bottle him up tbh.
 
I've only used one for a short sharp lesson in "It's NOT ok to bring your head up and smack your rider in the nose" where it worked very well and we have not had the problem since. I used it for about a week and he learnt not to swing his head up BUT as the head is directed downwards so much he learnt that he could evade the brakes by accelerating with his head between his knees. Very scary.

It has succeeded in what I wanted though and he has stopped is head swinging and has, thank goodness, forgotten about sticking his head to to run off!

Had you considered a pelham with two reins but with the curb rein knotted and left on his neck in case you need the extra brakes?
 
I would personally try the draw reins/mkt h (both the same really). I am a dressage person as well and when asking my trainer what to do about my little 4 yrs old getting very strong, he advised using the draw rein in order that I didn't either have a stronger contact on bit or use a stronger bit. It does just give that bit more control.

Make sure if you use it in walk you are VERY careful not to have in too much in contact.
 
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Make sure if you use it in walk you are VERY careful not to have in too much in contact

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Doesn't that defeat the object somewhat though?
 
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Make sure if you use it in walk you are VERY careful not to have in too much in contact

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Doesn't that defeat the object somewhat though?

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When used properly, neither draw reins or a MH should have any contact when the horse is in 'normal' carriage. They should only come into play if the horse evades upwards
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No Amy it doesn't. If you have it slightly looser, then it only comes into contact when the horse starts to get stronger/lift its head up. The last thing you want to do when riding with these type of training aids is to use them much too severely - it will only make matters worse. And for dressage - a draw rein too tight can make the walking lose fluidity and rythm.

I am literally only talking about 3-5cm longer than an actual contact so it is not actually permanently in use. This is pretty much the correct way to use a draw rein anyway
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When used properly, neither draw reins or a MH should have any contact when the horse is in 'normal' carriage. They should only come into play if the horse evades upwards

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Yes - appreciate that - but took it to mean contact through the rein....
 
I used to hunt my TB in them, also did low XC and jumping. I am a short arse riding a 16 hand horse. I found by keeping her head lower and not able to so easily stretch out that long neck and get a good hold made a huge difference.

Without them I needed a far stronger bit and she still would often get hold and go.

Have also used them for schooling a gypsy cob - she had the wrong muscles and with my bad back and shoulder it was hell trying to push her with by body into working correctly. The MH worked with me and once she got the idea, was able to remove it.

MH are fairly muppet proof - unlike draw reins which is why I prefer them for me.
 
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