Martingale or bit for a strong Connemara

[Marilyn91]

Looking for tack/bitting advice.

My Connie is an angel 99% of the time but she is prone to bombing off, especially in open spaces. She just sticks her neck out and runs. I typically just sit it out and slow her down when I can but it is annoying and obviously not very fun for anyone hacking with us. I am working on training her out of this and she has got a lot better already. She is fantastic in the school so riding lessons etc are great but don't seem to be helping with this habit outside.

Does anyone have an idea of what could help - a martingale or perhaps a Kimblewick or Waterford? Please no nasty comments ?

 

[Bonnie Allie]

Martingale won’t help as when correctly fitted they should only come into play if the horses nose is higher than the wither.

Not a fan of changing bits as they then learn to run through the next bit you try.

Have you schooled in a one rein stop? Is it safe enough to ride a circle? Can you put her into shoulder in to really make her work? Shoulder in is tough going particularly uphill if they want to bomb off. They give it up pretty quickly.

All our horses will respond to neck bend as they know the next phase is either a shoulder in, small circle or one rein stop if they are really clowning around.

Ive taken out some of our young horses and spent the whole ride circling. If they are slow learners it’s a real pain, but they get it if you don’t pull their mouths and reward them every time they relax.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would definitely use a properly fitted running martingale I think with a lot of horses they are useful bit of tack as they do stop the head going too far up beyond that point of control, I use one on both of my Arab's and although they are not strong they do tend to use that high head carriage to get faster, what I also do is make sure I ride them on a proper contact out hacking and it makes it harder for them to tank off if they are working correctly.

I don't really know with bits I only use French link or hanging cheek with mine as they are really soft in the mouth.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Running martingale firstly… then if need be you can give a tug on it to try pull her up ? also a useful hanging on strap but hopefully it will stop her tanking off

 

[IrishMilo]

Have you schooled in a one rein stop? Is it safe enough to ride a circle? Can you put her into shoulder in to really make her work?

I'm going to assume you've not ridden a horse who is actually bombing off with a locked neck. You can't turn for love nor money never mind doing shoulder in ?

I'd stick your horse in a Wilkie or Universal with a running martingale. I find those best for very strong horses. I never understand why people are so adverse to changing to a stronger bit - it's exactly what they're there for!

 

[st_marks]

I'd also switch to something like a universal, maybe with two reins. You can ride off your snaffle rein when all is well but then you have the curb rein and leverage to help you out when she takes off. And definitely a running martingale.

 

[Bonnie Allie]

I'm going to assume you've not ridden a horse who is actually bombing off with a locked neck. You can't turn for love nor money never mind doing shoulder in ?

I'd stick your horse in a Wilkie or Universal with a running martingale. I find those best for very strong horses. I never understand why people are so adverse to changing to a stronger bit - it's exactly what they're there for!

Many times - horses come here for reschooling. In our younger days we could only afford horses that needed reschooling. They arrive in big bits, faces strapped shut, heads tied down with a very switched on flight response (bombing off). Some add in binning the rider as well as bombing off.

If you have bend, you have control. School it in the arena to ensure you can access the schooling when you are out.

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

I have my mare in a universal Waterford with a lip strap. Fitted by a bit fitter. It has been the making of us. Both in the school and out hacking in huge open spaces. I now have control. Her schooling has come on massively.

 

[Peglo]

I put a martingale on my TB after she took off with me and she never managed to take off to that extent again.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Many years ago I rode out with a child on her show pony. He had a delightful habit of sticking his nose straight out so basically straight line from withers to nose and just taking off. His rider thought it was hilarious. I rode him once, he was only about 12hhs max, and he did it with me. I was able to get right forward and pull his nose down so I could stop him. How I would have coped on a bigger animal I don't know.

 

[Abacus]

You could use a standing martingale in this situation to prevent her from sticking her neck right out. You don't see them often these days but they can be useful.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I'd be looking to a 2 rein curb and popping a market Harborough on for hacking for safety, whilst getting the basics re established in arena between times.
Unless v out of control, the mh and curb shouldn't need to come into action, but there for the very unsafe times.