Martingales for jumping. Yes/no?

I asked my instructor last night and she said don't use unless you feel you need it......so I am going "naked" at the weekend!
 
This thread has really been food for thought for me. I tend to put them on everything as a "just in case." I schooled my horse the other day without and I was convinced she was better but I thought it must just be in my head as I've had it drummed in that they don't come into effect unless they've chucked their head. It did make me consider removing it for jumping as an experiment as she is fussy in the mouth and I was convinced she was steadier in the contact when I schooled without it the other day. I'm nervous as she is prone to raising her head coming into a fence but never where it would hurt the rider and the martingale is fitted slack, but mainly because once in a while she has a major spooking trauma where she throws the toys out completely and then her head does whip about like a cut snake. Hmmmmm how much do I value my nose?
 
I don't use on my older horse for jumping - he is jumped in snaffle, no martingale, just a grackle

My youngster doesn't wear one either - it's just extra faff putting it on when tacking up- I always used to get them tangled with the reins - very annoying :mad:

I use a breastplate for XC but never for SJ

She also just jumps in plain snaffle/plain cavesson and no martingale same for XC but with breastplate!
 
Always have a running one on after my old pony throw her head up wondering up a hill and broke my nose... Blood all over yourself and a grey pony an hour away from home is not something I EVER wish to repeat! Although saying that, I don't ride in one when in my double or in my Pelham with double reins. Martingale on that would be way too much to get tangled tacking up for me!
 
I used to until by fluke I jumped my mare without one and she was so much happier without it, I've not used one in months now and we are getting a lot better!

Also not bothered with one on my youngster and can't say as it's made any difference - if he's going to prat around then so be it, a martingale wouldn't help me much with him anyway as he tends to go overbent when naughty.
 
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