Market Harborough any one used one????

It will probably help in the short term but don't become reliant on it, which I have seen happen. Better to try a "cheat" than to get in trouble and wreck you, your horse or your confidence. But get some lessons asap.
See if you can speak to ex owners, see what they did. Or is it a reaction to the weather/lack of turnout etc? How different is his routine now and so on.
A milder option is a harbridge training aid, and bizarrely, flexi reins, but see what works for you - and remember it's treating the symptoms not the cause, like taking painkillers for the nail sticking out of your foot...
 
I try to ask the old owner but she doesn't bother replying to me!
The problem is I am going round in circles!
I can't ride him because he is so strong and can only manage 15 mins without feeling like i have been run over with a train!
Then of course I put off riding him, etc etc.
So really need something to help me be able to ride him!
 
Try the MH by all means, it might help and you can't afford to have this carry on, can you?
But get reliable on the ground help, soon. (And I assume you've considered the obvious, like wrong feed, teeth, back and so on).
It might be a good idea to try it on an ocasion you have enough time to ride for 2 hours if necessary, just so he learns he really is better off listening! After 15 minutes, he'll still be "full of it" even if you've managed to cope better with him.
 
I dont know if this will be of any help to you, or if you already do these things, but my horse has periods of being really strong, and i find that doing this helps-

Shorten your stirrups (i do it so they're shorter than jump length.)
Bridge your reins and when the horse gets strong, lay them over his neck, so your hands are on each side of his neck, and the reins go over the top.
Put a neck strap on. I ride with a 'necky' on all the time- I get laughed at occasionally, but who gives a sh*t? You can grab it when you bridge your reins, and the more I've done it, the more my horse responds (by slowing up) to feeling it across his windpipe.

By shortening your stirrups, you can brace yourself against the strength, although it is a bit of person vs half a tonne of horse.
Then, by bridging your reins and dropping your hands against his neck, the horse pulls against himself.
The necky is useful to grab onto.
You do tend to adopt a slight forwards position, but IMO, this is better than riding 'correctly' and getting pulled about.

As I've already said, dunno if it'll help you, but my horse can be the same- and he's had every single thing that you can think of checked.

Good Luck, and let me know if you find a solution!
 
I use one on Murphy for hunting and cross country although at the mo he is hacking out in one too as he is so fit. He gets all silly and starts yawing at the reins which is really annoying and he does that Arab thing where he flings his head around when he gets excited. The market harborough stops this really well, I had tried draw reins but he hates them. When Murphy decides to be really strong the combination of short stirrups, neck strap, double bridge and market haraborough are the best bet. Its better to be safe than sorry.
 
I've used a MH for years on my arab - it stopped him throwing his head up and pee-ing off with me! However, it really won't stop him pulling against you the whole time.

I agree with vhf that a Harbridge might be better, because it goes straight to the girth it takes some of the strain off you. Have you tried lunging before you ride to take some of the fizz out? You can do that in a Harbridge and leave it on to ride in.
 
I have a virtually new one that I am going to put on ebay if you are interested you can pm me.Only used twice .
 
I have used them on various horses from time to time with great effect. I have a damaged back and shoulders and they certainly can help.

My first TB could be very strong hunting and XC and I used to have a lot of control by using a MH and a Dr Bristol - yes I know the MH should be used with a snaffle but without the Dr Bristol I too ended up with overcooked pasta arms.

The great thing with the MH was if I could keep her neck from stretching out I had control.

I also used in on my 2nd TB from time to time, including low jumps and hacking if she got too full of herself and she soon went back to being well mannered again.

Great tool for large horses and small riders when needed.
 
Well, Horses generaly evade the bit because they are uncomfortable. Some will stick their heads up, some down, some will back right off the contact, some will chomp lots and other will simply pull. Horses will often lean into pain rather than away from it.
The vast majority of the time they are objecting to tongue pressure. I'm assuming you are using a jointed snaffle, these work mainly off the tongue. I would possibly look to a Myler bit, in the level 2 zone and maybe even a combo. If you have a resisting Horse then rather than put a stronger bit in, put a milder one in first. Admittedly, sometimes you need more brakes, especially for 'exciting things'. However, if he's like this even in the school then I'd try a bit with more tongue relief.
A MH might help, but it's treating the symptom not the cause. I'd maybe use one for a 'party' but not every day.
 
I use one on my TB, she is 17 this year and has always been one to snatch at the reins and toss her head in excitement. I have worked hard in reducing the muscle under her neck in the two and a half years I have had her as she had been showjumped in a hackamore and had a terrible ewe neck which meant she could smack me in the face with the top of her head
shocked.gif
The MH has done wonders for her neck along with feeding of the floor and stuff like that. her teeth and back are checked regularly. I currently use a neue schule bit that is meant to be good for a horse that is not too keen to take up a contact. However I think at 17 i just have to accept that my mare with always be a bit of a headshaker, she only settles when worked hard but with her recent ligament troubles this isn't possible so I continue with the MH and am not particularly concerned if either she or I become reliant upon it at this late stage. Good luck with your horse.
 
my old mare had one and tbh i dont see the point.. they're a good temporary/extra (for eg. to use out hacking on something strong that sticks its head out/up and runs) but i wouldnt school/jump in one

anyway..
i agree about looking at your bit, out of interest what does she/he have in their mouth and what noseband?

x
 
Might be wise to have a few lessons with a good instructor rather than going down the route of gadgets....its difficult to know what you mean by strong...running away or leaning on the bit for balance?

If its balance then transitions are the way forward so that the horse is encouraged to carry its own balance....
 
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