Standing Martingale Advice

S

Safina

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Morning All

My ex racer has developed a very nasty habit of head throwing when we are hunting/hacking - he is well mannered and does not do it in the school or if we are going for a quick pottle.

Its getting a bit out of hand now as when we are cantering or galloping his head goes up and down constantly and more often than not ends up bashing me in the face or putting his ears in my mouth if I am talking! I always come home with nosebleeds/split lips.

I've tried a running martingale and it did not make the least bit of difference and he got very stressed when I used my reins as his has a very soft mouth.

I am thinking of trying a standing for the odd manic hack/hunting and would prefer to use an attachment that works with my breastplate rather than buy a whole new peice of kit.

I've come accross this http://www.kmeliteproducts.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=ste055 which looks good but I just wanted to check the fit - does the trigger clip snap onto the breastplate ring and the strap go round is noseband? I'm fairly confident I can fit it correctly but luckily I hunt with my instructor so I'll ask her to check the fit.

Failing that, I'd really rather keep him without a martingale so any suggestions would be fab. Like I say he does not do it in the school or when we are doing XC so I've no need to use it when we jump. I've considered using a poll pressure bit but he is so soft up front that I am not sure if that is the way to go.

Thanks in advance.
 
Word of caution - take care when you first use it as horses can panic when they find themselves restricted, rush back, unbalance themselves etc.
Perhaps try it in the school, or fit it slackly at first, if it's adjustable.
S
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have you had his teeth checked properly? i only ask because i had my ex-race mare done today (had her a month, first time my dentist could get to me) and they were appalling, there was a very big hook at the back that had NEVER been done, it was large enough to put her whole jaw at an angle... poor mare. god knows what muppet's been claiming to have done her teeth...
anyway, just a thought, there may be a reason for his behaviour, might be worth trying to get to the bottom of it, as well as protect yourself from his dangerous head-tossing.
 
Thanks Kerilli - honestly my ideal would be to get to the root cause and stop the problem rather than chuck tack at it.

He has his teeth done every 6 months and back every 3 (saddle done every 6 monthly though) so I am pretty confident its not a physical thing although I'd consider getting a second opinion.

He does not behave like this at all in the school, show jumping, at XC schooling or comps or when we are just having a chilled hack - its only in very very excitable situations but that could be a pain thing as well I guess.

Thanks - I hope your mare is much comfier now.
 
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