Jumping in a standing martingale?

I would never do it. I'm of the opinion a horse's head should always be free to move when jumping, think it's dangerous if it's not.
 
I know people who do in a long one but I was always taught the horse uses his head and neck to balance, restrict it and a peck on landing is much more likely to end in a fall for one or both of you.
 
common practice in the US for hunt horses - hunted a season there - hunted prob 20 different horses - all with standings - in a field full of horses with standings and never saw any trouble jumping a range of size fences up to some pretty hefty walls etc.

but a no-no over in the UK apparently....
 
Used to be very common in the '50s - I've loads of photos of British team international sj'ing and standing martingales were prolific. I don't think a properly fitted one is more restrictive than a running one, and probably less so.

A friend of mine transformed his "mad" hunter that he was ready to shoot :( by putting him in a standing martingale - and we jump dirty great drains here. I can think of far worse bits of tack tbh :)
 
Provided it's not too short, and preferably has an elasticated end, then they are a very useful piece of kit and I wouldn't hang, draw or quarter anyone for trying it.
 
The very "BHS" response is that no, it shouldn't work. However you will see a lot of horses hunting and hunt staff horses might have a standing on - and they probably do a lot more big jumping than your average horse!
 
Dont know much about them myself, but saw one used in a 4/5 year old working hunter class very recently, the horse won the class, a stand out winner.
 
i have a very spirited TB who i jump, hack and school in a in a standing martaingale!! i use to use a running until someone suggested i try it!! both my life and my mares is a million times better since i changed and i grew up with it being a total no no! wish i'd done it sooner!!
 
ooh last time i sas a discussion on standings it was very much one sided! nice to see that they are more acceptable nowdays
fwiw - i think they are a better action than a running - i do think that running martingales have their place on a few horses but i also think they can be the cause not cure of problems on others... but they seem to be standard kit so who am i to question them ;)
 
Fairly standard equipment on the hunting field - most hunt staff horses wear them

When fitted correctly, they don't restrict the horse's head over the fence - but can stop you getting a smack in the face with an excited horse

IMHO (and I'll probably get shot down for this) A lot of horses ridden in running martingales would actually go better in standers - the running martingale works with a pulley action and doubles the strength of the rider's hands - not always a good or appropriate thing to do!

The standing martingale prevents the horse bringing his head above the point of control of the bit but doesn't force it down like a market harborough or running martingale and is actually much kinder

also..... You are allowed to use one under BS rules - and they jump some pretty huge fences :P
 
You should be able to fit your hand between the horse's neck and the neck strap

Once the lower part is attached round the girth, the top should reach to the underneath of the horse's jaw (where the head and neck join) when you pull it up without stretching it or putting it under much tension.

(not sure how clear that reads but hope it makes sense!)

We use breastplates with martingale attachments - whether standing or running - and the same rules apply
 
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