Jumping in a market harborough -yes or no?

[wench]

I've always understood it that it is possible to jump in one (and could under bsja rules) but seen several bits on the web that says not suitable for jumping in.

Opinions?

 

[Patterdale]

Personally I wouldn't jump in anything that acts in a fixed action on the bit or head other than my own hands.

So no, I'd say they're not suitable.

 

[lucemoose]

properly fitted yes

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

I have done on occasions in the past, when the need called for it as a training addition.

 

[PaddyMonty]

If you are capable of giving sufficiently over a fence everytime then not a problem.
However, if you use your hands to balance over a fence then no way.

 

[LEC]

I personally think they encourage bad habits as tighten the neck. Not my choice of kit.

 

[TarrSteps]

I don't think it's necessarily the straight road to hel but, as said, you have to be bang on with your release and, frankly, if you ride that well there are better options to do any job an MH might do. I never say never with horses but I think there is quite a high potential for creating an even worse issue unless you are absolutely sure it's the best path.

 

[Jenni_]

I have in the past on a horse that was a bad head thrower. Running/ standing martingales didn't really work but this conveyed the message. My 'give' over a fence is normally ok and my natural instinct if anything goes wrong over a fence has ALWAYS been to drop the reins and sit tight anyway (infact I was a serial washing line rein offender for years)

After a while took it off and jumped without any martingale and horse was fine, started doing it briefly a good few months later, popped it back on and after a couple of sessions horse got the message again.

Same as any bit of kit, it has its place when fitted and used correctly. But in the wrong hands, can do more harm than good.

 

[montanna]

I used one once on my late mare as she started chucking her head up to the point her ears were up my nose after the jump... I jumped one jump and she nearly broke her legs the other side when she tried to get her head up! Never again!

I have seen them used quite a lot in the ring but I believe you can only use a snaffle with them under rules? This may have changed as it was a few years ago I looked into it re my mare.

 

[humblepie]

Back in the day which is always how I start jumping threads as we are in the 1970s for my answer to this one - yes. I used to jump two of my jumping ponies in them as my father preferred that to stronger bits. I presume they were fitted properly and that I rode sufficiently well as never had a problem. I can remember they could BSJA in them back then but no idea now.

 

[Hosses]

I have jumped a mare with sensitive mouth before, i found it gave a more consistent even pressure on the bit, so she fought the hand less...

 

[Wheels]

What issues are you having?