market harboroughs - yay or neigh!

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lisa_lou

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Been suggested i try one on my extremely exciteable mare when jumping. She throws her head in the air and keeps it there between fences and fights all the time once she has hotted up, doesnt listen to me at all, turns into the fence and just pulls like mad to go faster. What are your views as ive never seen one before, is it worth a try?
 
I find them useful on some horses, it's worth borrowing one to have a go with if you can as well as combining that with appropriate schooling.
 
They are worth trying - personally I would try a standing martingale as it has no effect on the mouth whereas both the running and market harborough will have an effect on the action of the bit.
 
After trying what feels like 100s of bits on my show jumper we now use a market harborougher and it is working a dream for him. We tried a standing martingale first but I didn't find it anywhere near as affective, unlike the standing in the market H I'm never worried about him not getting the stretch over a fence. Hope you find something that works well for you!
 
Yay. I used one on my gelding who used to chuck his head up to get away from me. It enabled me to use a much less severe bit and still have control.
 
Just been looking at prices of market harboroughs and noticed on 2 websites selling them it says they are unsafe to jump in? Is this so?
 
I suppose it may have a use in your situation though a girl came to our yard and started using one to get her horse's head down in flat work. All she ended up with was a horse which was tucking his head right in behind the bit and a very false outline. It made him even more hollow and not accepting a contact with a shortened stride.

We encouraged her to remove it and develop topline and a long and low outline, correct muscles and movement by lungeing until the horse was sufficiently built up to take the rider easily in the desired outline.
 
They are useful for a short time. I don't agree with long term use. They are BSJA legal, as long as you give the rein, it's not restrictive in any way.
 
I would try a standing martingale first. Its amazing how quickly they learn as the standing is very kind as only punishes if they lift their head past a certain point.
 
Evelyn said:
Are you refering to the MArket HArborough - which is not legal for competitions whereas the standing martingale is.
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Whats the difference between the market harborough and the MArket HArborough except the use of capital letters? I have jumped my horse in a market harborough with good results as he tends to fling his head up 3 strides out. I am sure they are bsja legal as I have seen many people riding in competition with them.
 
elsiex said:
They are useful for a short time. I don't agree with long term use. They are BSJA legal, as long as you give the rein, it's not restrictive in any way.
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Are you refering to a Market Harborough or are you refering to a Standing Martingale?

Only unrestricted running martingale is permitted - ie - no market harborough and no standing - in NZ we are allowed to use a Standing martingale up to 1.30m and above, ponies 1.20m and above, so I was wrong on the Standing martingale for use in UK
 
I was out watching a 1.30 affiliated class at the weekend and people were using both Market harboroughs and standing martingales, I was shocked to see horses jumping 1.30 in a standing martingale, I always though you shouldn't jump in them as it restricts the horse stretching over fences??
 
FaldingwoodLivery said:
I was out watching a 1.30 affiliated class at the weekend and people were using both Market harboroughs and standing martingales, I was shocked to see horses jumping 1.30 in a standing martingale, I always though you shouldn't jump in them as it restricts the horse stretching over fences??
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That's not the case - they are pretty common out hunting and I am sure nobody would be taking their hunter over enormous hedges if it couldn't stretch over fences!

Fitted correctly they won't prevent a horse jumping properly. The only time they are in question is if a horse stumbles badly and needs for whatever reason to use his whole neck for balance, they might come into play. However in those circumstances, the martingale should snap, as only leather attached to leather.
 
I thought standing martingales and market harboroughs were both BS legal......

I think it depends on your experience and on what problem you are trying to fix. If horse has devised a clever evasion and a spell in a device will fix it, then I can't see a problem. There is no substitute for correct schooling, but no one would dispute that and occasionally a quick fix is ideal.
 
Try finding the rules on line for BS - it refers you to the FEI site where it states in Article 257 - Saddlery

1.2 Only unrestricted running martingales are allowed. Standing martingales are
permitted for Horses in Children's Horse Competitions.
 
Evelyn, MHs ARE BS legal, I have researched it myself as Red is jumped in one
From the BS rule book
"102.4 A gag snaffle may be used. A Market Harborough rein may be used, but only with a plain snaffle, not a gag. All other running or check reins and reins acting through sheaves or pulleys are prohibited in the arena"

Although there is this rule which only applies to juniors:
"102.7 The following additional restrictions apply to pony competitors only: Correctly fitted standing and running martingales only to be used (can be used together). Any type of running reins, Market Harborough reins, hackamores, bitless bridles and combination bits are not permitted in the arena, practice area or anywhere in the immediate vicinity of the showground."

Red is jumped in one and it has been very useful to us, he sounds very much like your horse and it is definately worth a try :)

ETA Rules can be found here: http://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/_files/Rule & Year Book 2011.pdfquotes from pages 90-91
 
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I've hunted in a MH on very rare occasions - and sent dear daughter out with one on - usually when either of us was taking a schooling animal out for an owner.
However these have been really let out after hounds draw, OR if drag hunting, then I used to not jump for the 1st line - then let the MH right out before 2nd line & carry on. Not ever jumped out hunting with one on.

They do have their uses particularly for horses/ponies that lean out & up or one or other, but only as a temp measure.

Never SJ'd in one, nor jump schooled at home with one - I use them for flatwork only (and then very rarely).

Current big Fuzzy had one on in January for about 3 weeks - and it went back on for a couple of weeks in April, all just for 'reminding when schooling'.

***One thing to note - there is a big difference in the quality of the stitching & leather on the cheap ones on Ebay. Your life is at the end of the reins - don't buy aids just because they are cheap!
 
Thumbs up from me. I ride a mare who has one, she loves to draw you into an argument and this way she only argues with herself as she has control on it effectively. It does stop her getting her head in the air and charging round a SJ ring!
 
I've used one for hacking when my horse was on box rest and the world was a very exciting place but I wouldn't personally want to jump in one as it could jab them in the mouth if they really extend over the jump.
 
Evelyn said:
redcascade - the site came back as unavailable - maybe I need to be a member to get to the rules.
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Ah, you're located in NZ, maybe the website is unavailable to you are you are abroad....try this link instead and click on 'Rules and Yearbook' on the left hand side
http://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/membership/General-Member-Information
:)
ETA just realised the first link didn't work for me, must be because I linked it to the PDF file! The link above should work ;)
ETA AGAIN! Not meaning to hijack but just to prove how un-restrictive they are
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8949.jpg
 
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I tried one a few years ago on my boy for jumping, but he wouldn't go forward at all. I don;t know if he had had one on in the past ( I know he was often ridden in draw reins) but it was too dnagerous to ride him in it in the end.
 
They're not continually restrictive nor do they jab in the mouth if fitted correctly (unless the rider would cause a single rein to jab in the same circumstances).

I think it's my favourite gadget, as if things go wrong you can quickly give the rein away and have no impact on the horse whatsoever.

Don't fit it so tight that you hold an outline with it though, there has to be a fair bit of give in it.
 
I've been wanting to try one, but can't find one big enough. Any one know whe're I can get an extra full sized Market Harborough, for a 17.2 warmblood?

(I can't justify the expense of getting one made, as it wont be used enough ;) )
 
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