Standing martingales

Very popular in polo, they're useful for strong horses who put their head up very high... Why do you ask, were you thinking of using one on your horse?
 
I have taken my horse for schooling, ex NH horse and she had her first session today was accepting the bit at walk but fussy at times, in trot she just stuck her head right up and wouldn't soften, instructor put a standing martingale on (she was riding) and the difference was amazing the mare immediatley started to soften and was becoming consistent in maintaining it, then it was my turn and thought lol here we go I won't get it but she did keep the contact and I was thrilled with her
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I just wondered about them cos when i was a kid they were used a lot, now don't seem to see them the same, am hoping when mare keeps consistency I can remove, but today is the first time ever i think she has been asked to work in a contact and she was trying really hard to please
 
I used to ride American Hunter Jumpers and we used standing martingales a lot. They should always be adjusted correctly (so that when attached to noseband and girth you can get the strap to touch the horse's throat). I have never heard of them helping get a horse round, but it does prevent a high head carrage. Only comes into effect when the horse lifts head too high and doesn't interfere with the rein contact like a running martingale. I have a feeling that in this country you are not allowed to jump in them or do dressage, but I am not sure. Hope it continues to work for you.
 
If it works for you does it matter if it is popular or not?

I ride mine in one, you are allowed to BSJA in them but not dressage
 
It doesn't matter to me if they are popular or not, I don't worry about that! I just don't see them the same , so wondered if people still used them or used other gadgets
 
When I visited a dude ranch in Arizona I dared to claim that years of English riding meant that I'd have no trouble riding Western. This claim seemed to annoy the head wrangler who promptly allocated me the 'nutter racing quarter miler' usually reserved for staff only or the 'city slicker' they most wished to torture. Spent the next 20-30 mins clinging on for dear life until another wrangler ( a 'real' red indian) took pity on me and fixed a make shift standing martingale to my tack. Like magic my horse was transformed into fantastic ride and the head wrangler's nose was firmly put out of joint!! In short, don't know exactly how it works but can be a very good thing (if fitted correctly, of course).

Sorry for long post but sharing this story brings back fab memories for me.
 
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i thaught you couldnt jump in them as it prevents the horse stretching his head out to balnce over the jump??

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That would be true if you had it fitted too tight. If it is fitted correctly then no it wouldn't
 
they used to be popular when i was younger, then out of fashion but i suspect we'll be seeing a lot more of them around since the john whittaker range now sells one.
 
Just be careful that the horse doesn't actually resist against the Standing Martingale, as this can result in upside down neck musclke development - quite the opposite of what you want!
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Very common over here, I don't see many running martingales. I have to say it goes against the grain to jump in one tho - they are properly fitted when I ride (trust me, it would be coming straight off the horse if it didn't - I value my safety!) but even so, we're talking about riding school neds here, and I sometimes doubt their ability to sort themselves out over jumps - 2' yes, but any higher and I would like them to be able to use their head all they liked. I think they can be very useful, especially for habit breaking, but it can cause problems in its own right too - tension, over bent, and wrong muscle development.
 
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