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[BobbyMondeo]

My boy keeps throwing his head up so high that i cant really see anything which obviously isnt desirable. My instructor has given me a standing martingale to try on him but i have no iea how to fit it and she is away for the next two weeks and everyone on my yard is just as clueless about how it fits.
Sooo was wondering if any of you nice people on here could give me some insight. Thanks in advance.

 

[kirstyl]

Have you eliminated all the reasons why your horse could be throwing his head in the air ie teeth, back, badly fitting tack etc. Has he just started doing it? Does he just do it when you are riding or does he do it on the lunge too? Could potentially be the start of headshaking? Don't wish to be voice of doom and gloom but I would think about all of those things before putting on a standing martingale. Personally I don't like standing martingales as would have to be quite tight to stop him throwing his head up and then it becomes very restrictive and he may feel 'tied down' and react more severely in other ways.

 

[Luci07]

I had assumed you had covered all that as your instructor had recommended it? I have used a standing martingale on my old horse when hacking having had my nose smashed when he was really acting up.

I was taught that the same applies to a standing martingale as to a running - i.e the strap straightened should touch the horses throat. It is not supposed to be strapping the horses down but do restrict from throwing its head upto a certain height!

 

[BobbyMondeo]

Hes just come back into work about a month and a half ago so i very excited had back and saddle done as soon as his lameness was gone and he had his teeth done 3 weeks ago he is just avoiding the conact by throwing his head around and being a prat.