Martingales?

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navaho

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Would you use a martingale on a youngster who is throwing its head about (napping when she is asked to leave her friends behind in the field), im finding it quite disconcerting as ive never had a horse do this before & ive never used a martingale on a youngster so im a little loathe to now, but i also dont want to end up smacked in the face with her head. Coming home she is absolutely fine & doesnt put a foot wrong, but leaving the field is a different matter, my main worry with using one is she will panic when she realises she cant get her head up & do something silly.
Probably sounds a silly question to most of you as you probably use martingales every day, but i havnt used one for years, infact i only own one & that is a standing martingale & i havnt a clue where it is.
 
navaho said:
Would you use a martingale on a youngster who is throwing its head about (napping when she is asked to leave her friends behind in the field), im finding it quite disconcerting as ive never had a horse do this before & ive never used a martingale on a youngster so im a little loathe to now, but i also dont want to end up smacked in the face with her head. Coming home she is absolutely fine & doesnt put a foot wrong, but leaving the field is a different matter, my main worry with using one is she will panic when she realises she cant get her head up & do something silly.
Probably sounds a silly question to most of you as you probably use martingales every day, but i havnt used one for years, infact i only own one & that is a standing martingale & i havnt a clue where it is.
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I would suggest trying a martingale. I have never broken or ridden away a horse without one as the neck strap is invaluable in my opinion. I would be keen to try and get her out what could become a napping habit sooner rather than later. I would use a good bit of leg and back it up with a smack if needs be. Sometimes they can just get a bit cocky and try you to see what they can get away with - this is when extra leg etc comes into play. Good luck!
 
Yes i would be happy to put a standing martingale on, its not nice being hit in the face, i can assure you mine has done it a few times, now we use the martingale.
 
There will be many views on this ,I was once told off by a very experienced,old school producer because I wasnt using a standing martingale on a pony I was breaking.His view was prevention rather than cure,I have not followed his advice,although I did respect him,but bear it in mind whenever I work with youngsters.Be flexible and if it helps it should do no harm if fitted correctly will only come into use when needed.
 
Thanks, i know you probably all think im daft asking, but i do try & keep everything simple & to a minimum if i can. I'll give her a go in it & fingers crossed :)
 
Try the martingale for the short term, it might just be a blip and in a few weeks/months may not need it, but it does give you an extra lifeline should you need it. Good luck
 
If your horse has found a way to avaid throwing his head around then yes I would try it, but use it first in the field or school just so he can get used to it if you think he could be rather sensetive to it, most horses won't bother, that is... like someone else said it's fitted properly

But even with a running martingale, he'll still be able to throw his head around if he really wants to, main issue is why he's napping, so even though he be a little better with a martingale, he may find another way to avoid going out and have another trick up his sleave (joys of a 4yr old :D) but if it helps having more control then there is no shame in bobbing one on, getting him out safely is the mane thing, is he any different in company?
 
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