market harbourghs??

[sallypops]

i remember a while ago when i posted about poppy not going out alone (ie turnng round and running home as fast as possible) someone suggested a market harbourgh i was just wndering if someone could tell me exactly what they do? and what the benefits are??

thanks in advnce

 

[jumpthemoon]

It's like a martingale - two straps come from the girth and pass through the bit rings, clipping onto rings on the reins (you have special reins with them). They act a little bit like draw reins if they are on really short, but you normally have them at a length that just stops the horse sticking it's head up too high. The pressure is dictated by your rein contact - if you drop your contact the horse can put it's head higher, so you can release it. They are pretty effective, but can be detrimental if not used correctly (as with any gadget)

 

[sallypops]

yeh i wouldn't use one unless i was shown properly by someone. i don't think she needs something like that but i just didn't kno what it did

 

[jumpthemoon]

Does she throw her head up then? Is this the same horse from your above post?

 

[sallypops]

yah it the same one, she does put her head up sometimes when she runs off. would that help?

 

[sarahwilkes]

i use one on my id x
when i bought him he had a really thick neck, which he would use to his advantage, lift his head, set his neck and take off.

i put him in a MH and it worked wonders, it only applies pressure when you tighten your reins. most of the time i ride with very little contact, but i know and he knows that it is there if needed.

 

[LusoLover]

I think it was me who suggested a MH. As mentionned above they only apply pressure when the head goes past a certain point. There are 3 D-Rings on on each rein which you clip onto one of them on each rein. This means that you can adjust the height at which the MH will apply the pressure. I really am no expert, but I'm not sure how they can really harm the horse as the D-Rings aren't set so short. I have mine on the tightest setting for hunting say, but even then he would still be able to get above the bit.

It's been a huge help with my boy who used to rear. It did'nt prevent rearing but discouraged it and gave me confidence that he couldn't get his head too high.