Market Harborough or ? for nervy hacker ...

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canteron

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I have a really sweet natured cob, who is normally quite laid back and happy. However, he is quite young (6) and hasn't seen that much and on the rare occassions when something upsets (ie an flapping pheasant, crazy driver and sheep all at the same time) him he tends to stick his head up and run -and occasionally trips - not great for the confidence.

For schooling, no probs, we ride in a very kind Sprenger bit and I don't want to change that.

I just wondered whether for hacking out a Market Harborough would help my nerves and also give me a little bit more control to calm things down before they get out of control?

If I understand them correctly if you have them on a relatively loose setting, they don't come into play until you need them and become progressively stronger. If it does this I would prefer a MH rather than horribly hard hands to get his attention back?

Anyone have any experience and do you think them might help!! Or any other suggestions as I really do want to carry on feeling safe hacking him out.

Thanks
 
Wouldn't go for one myself. A balance strap or neck strap (aka spare stirrup leather!) for your confidence and a pat and gentle downwards transition for your cob would be my choice. If he starts off and then finds himself restricted by the MH I don't think it would be a positive experience for him and might make him feel justified in leaping at the scary thing!
My mare ocassionaly spooks and runs on a little. As long as I stay chilled and just bring her back to walk, then carry on with no fuss, over time she has become more confident and less spooky - with less of a reaction of she does have a spook.
 
I haven't seen one used for over 20 years. It could do. If you don't fasten it too tight, it shouldn't come into play unless the horse throws his head upwards, which you say is only when spooked. It is quite a strong downward pull for the horse though. Do you know any instructors that have one that you could try perhaps? We used to have horse in one when I did my AI years ago, and I never saw the thing actually come into effect. That horse worked quite calmly with it on.
 
i wouldn't use a nylon one as if anything happened like he got his leg stuck, he would then panick and it wouldnt break... leather ones cost around £50 and this almost covers up the problem not solves it.. try a neck strap and confidence will come with time :)
 
A horse would have to be supple to get its leg stuck in a market harborough. Its only like a martingale.. Its not a major problem that is being covered up, from what I understood, but something to stop a strong horse from sticking head up and running off when spooked.
 
Honey08 said:
A horse would have to be supple to get its leg stuck in a market harborough. Its only like a martingale.. Its not a major problem that is being covered up, from what I understood, but something to stop a strong horse from sticking head up and running off when spooked.
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I agree! Used to use one of my mare, she used to fling her head up to avoid stopping and no martingale stopped this. i used a Harborough for a few weeks and she went fine in it, she doesnt do this anymore as she used to her surroudnings and scary stuff now so back into a plain running martingale.... Cant see how a horse can snap one unless their head is dragging along the floor for it to gets feet through the straps...
Borrow one to see if its any used and use it on a loose setting. as you say it doesnt come into play until needed....You can pick a shires ne up for £30 not english leather though....
 
I used to ride an Arab in a running martingale which was allegedly used for a similar purpose. It is a lot more gentle than a MH and did help a bit (I only got a poll in my face w/out it!) but tbh dropping contact and relaxing worked best. The RM was mostly for the rider's confidence, a neck strap (or grabbing a handful of mane which I prefer as it is usually more secure/gentler on the mouth) would work just as well. :-)

Another thing I was taught when riding youngsters in a very spooky environment (Hyde Park = traffic, cavalry, ice cream vans, beginner roller bladers windmilling, leaf blowers, fair grounds, etc, etc) was to anticipate spooking/shooting off at all times and have in mind "if we shoot off now what is the safest direction to go in?" it is amazing how just having it in mind can shift your weight enough that that is the direction you /do/ go in if you do! It stops you getting left behind/feeling out of control so recovery is usually much quicker.
 
Some people hack spooky horses in draw reins so similar theory I guess.
Might be best to first ride in it, in an arena just to check how your horse reacts to it.
 
Here's Sleepy in his cheap leather one and shows you just about how high he can get his head (depending on where you adjust it to). Cost about 18 quid. Really helps as he had a really nasty habit of just throwing his head up in the air all the time, spook or no. YES it really helped and for that price it's worth giving it a shot.

Being a novice it helps me too as the reins have "notches" on so I don't end up with unequal reins as he's found a new trick - snatching. Yes we're working on it.

Sorry about the picture size...

psleepyjumping136.jpg
 
If you do decide to use one, then as said above I would do it loosely. Only saying this as I know of someone who used one for the same reasons but became to rely on it and wouldnt hack out without it. It became a vicious circle as said horse then started to mince along in walk as he couldnt stride out, so started to jog and eventually did mini rears. Rider was one of those you couldnt advise and became more nervous of horse.
 
I use one on my ex racer when we go on Funrides. Stops his getting his head and going for it. Much safer than without. Fact is I wouldn't attempt going if I didn't have the MH on. I can school him in a snaffle and he's good. His canter is coming along nicely but out in an open field nothing will stop him but this does. Well worth a try.
 
How about a standing martingale? I use one on my TB as when excited/stressy he can throw his head around, also if he decides to hurl himself around it keeps him a bit closer to the floor!
 
Sleepeeze_dad said:
Here's Sleepy in his cheap leather one and shows you just about how high he can get his head (depending on where you adjust it to). Cost about 18 quid. Really helps as he had a really nasty habit of just throwing his head up in the air all the time, spook or no. YES it really helped and for that price it's worth giving it a shot.

Being a novice it helps me too as the reins have "notches" on so I don't end up with unequal reins as he's found a new trick - snatching. Yes we're working on it.

Sorry but I really don't think a novice who can't yet make sure they have even rein contact should be using something which can exert such harsh pressure on the mouth and poll and potentially panic an already nervous animal. Wouldn't be surprised if the snatching was related to rider's use of reins/MH thb.

I appreciate it probs wasn't your idea though, many, many novices (myself included) are taught to use artificial aids/gadgets rather than how to ride!

Oh, and back to OP, your horse sounds to be doing pretty well really, I know plenty a lot older who'd spook at pheasant. in fact I'm more worried when they don;t now - you don't want to ride something brain-dead!
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