Standing martingale?

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Horseperson432

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This has probably been done to death but... Someone has suggested using a standing martingale on my horse- he’s 6 but is still fairly green. I’ve been struggling with him sticking his nose in the air and rushing to jumps.

Generally what are people’s opinions on standing’s? I’m torn after asking two v knowledgeable friends- one thinks it’s an absolute awful idea and that they are terrible/ pull the horses head down too much and to quote is “dangerous” (tho it obviously would be fairly loose) and the other one thinks it will really help... which it did when I gave it a go the other day. Would be fab to get some more opinions so I can make a decision With which extreme opinion to believe- I’ve not had experience using them before and don’t want to use as a cop out of proper work etc. Thanks :)
 
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I accept the use of standing martingales on particularly strong, fit horses - we used them a bit on various hunters.

However I would not use one to cut corners on a green horse. Rushing to fences suggests he is unbalanced, the last thing I’d want to do on a rushing, unbalanced horse whilst jumping is to further hinder its ability to balance by tying its head down.
 
A standing martingale won't pull a horses head down if it's correctly fitted.

I use one for exciting stuff on my mare to stop her wacking me on the nose with her head.

It only comes into effect when needed unlike a running martingale which is constantly playing on the reins which I find winds her up even more.
 
For me they are one of the main bits of kit in bringing on young horses, and provided they are fitted correctly they do not tie down a horses head - so whoever is telling that is talking out of their bottom.

That said, there is so much more needed than a standing martingale! If your horse is rushing fences and flinging head about then this is a schooling issue that needs addressing. But I’d still use it alongside. It doesn’t sound like your horse is ready to be jumping properly anyway.
 
ihatework said:
For me they are one of the main bits of kit in bringing on young horses, and provided they are fitted correctly they do not tie down a horses head - so whoever is telling that is talking out of their bottom.
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I presume you’re talking about my post, two above yours. Perhaps I didn’t phrase it correctly but the last thing I’d do to an unbalanced horse is take away its ability to balance using its neck. At some point the martingale will be pulling it’s head down/in... it’s the reason I don’t use standing martingales in ditch or trappy country as the horse needs its head if something goes wrong.
 
ihatework said:
For me they are one of the main bits of kit in bringing on young horses, and provided they are fitted correctly they do not tie down a horses head - so whoever is telling that is talking out of their bottom.

That said, there is so much more needed than a standing martingale! If your horse is rushing fences and flinging head about then this is a schooling issue that needs addressing. But I’d still use it alongside. It doesn’t sound like your horse is ready to be jumping properly anyway.
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Horseperson432 said:
This has probably been done to death but... Someone has suggested using a standing martingale on my horse- he’s 6 but is still fairly green. I’ve been struggling with him sticking his nose in the air and rushing to jumps.

Generally what are people’s opinions on standing’s? I’m torn after asking two v knowledgeable friends- one thinks it’s an absolute awful idea and that they are terrible/ pull the horses head down too much and to quote is “dangerous” (tho it obviously would be fairly loose) and the other one thinks it will really help... which it did when I gave it a go the other day. Would be fab to get some more opinions so I can make a decision With which extreme opinion to believe- I’ve not had experience using them before and don’t want to use as a cop out of proper work etc. Thanks :)
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*I appreciate this is Largely a schooling problem of which we are focussing on!
 
My jumping trainer suggested a standing martingale some years ago for my mare who was quite adept at throwing her head up and bashing me in the face (she was an experienced horse who had previously been jumping Foxhunters). I was sceptical at first but it really was a godsend and I found it much more helpful that a running martingale. Fitted correctly it won't tie the head down.
 
saddle over sofa said:
I presume you’re talking about my post, two above yours. Perhaps I didn’t phrase it correctly but the last thing I’d do to an unbalanced horse is take away its ability to balance using its neck. At some point the martingale will be pulling it’s head down/in... it’s the reason I don’t use standing martingales in ditch or trappy country as the horse needs its head if something goes wrong.
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It doesn't pull the horse's head down, or in. It stops the horse sticking its head past a certain point - and that point is usually dangerous for the horse and the rider...

I much prefer the action of a standing to a running, especially for a young horse or a horse whose rider has bad hands.
 
IrishMilo said:
It doesn't pull the horse's head down, or in. It stops the horse sticking its head past a certain point - and that point is usually dangerous for the horse and the rider...

I much prefer the action of a standing to a running, especially for a young horse or a horse whose rider has bad hands.
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Exactly what I was thinking- Isn’t restricting ponies movement at all unless obviously he does throw his head “past that point” whacking me in the face!! After being made feel like using one would basically be abusive on a young horse by a “friend” I’m feeling much better?
 
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