What are your attitudes and opinions ?

[FanyDuChamp]

What do we think of Market Harboroughs and what do you use it for?
I had a strange conversation and want to know people's attitudes and opinions of them.

Thanks,
FDC

 

[StormyMoments]

i dont really use them on anything any more but if a horse gave me a reason to use one i would

and used it for a rearer and a bolter but thats about it just to stop them getting their head above the bit... stops them having a chance to rear or bolt

 

[forestfantasy]

I used one for a while on my 5yr old during a 'difficult' stage, can't rate it highly enough for her, calmed her spooking down and stupid prancing on the way home out hacking.
I only used it on the slackest ring as thats all i needed & still revert back to it for a week or so if she starts being silly again.

Wouldn't be without mine although i appreciate its not for every horse

 

[Wagtail]

I bit like riding in *lowers voice* draw reins. I don't like them.

 

[FanyDuChamp]

Thanks guys, just want a few opinions. Then I'll tell you why and ask what you think.
FDC

 

[JFTDWS]

Same as draw reins - useful as a safety device on some horses, but not, in my opinion, a means of teaching a horse to work properly.

 

[Zimzim]

Market Harboroughs and any other training aid has its place if and when required. When used correctly and in capable hands they can have their benefits. But they should only be used as a last resort if other methods have not worked and for a short period of time so a horse and rider do not come to rely on them.

 

[Archangel]

Agree with ZimZim. I have used one on a horse that had a habit of tonking off out hunting. As his schooling/our relationship improved (whilst not wearing MH) he did not need it.

 

[caroline23]

can i just ask how it stops bolting? as my horse has been known to shoot forward and canter off although not all the time i would be interested in replies

 

[FanyDuChamp]

Right Fany is a lovely mare, and is very placid and good tempered her only faults are that she is lazy and stubborn, very lazy and very stubborn. Only be properly backed for 3 years and is 16. So being lazy and stubborn and incredibly strong, those of you who don't know Fany is a draft horse, an Ardennes (Trait Ardennais), is not a good combination. I was talking to an "expert" and they said put her in a Market Harborough because she likes to turn for home when she has had enough of hacking, no nastiness, bucking or rearing and no temper tantrums, she simply tries her best to turn and go home, she just needs more schooling.

So what do you think MH or not?

FDC

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Agree with Zim-Zim

I occasionally use one.

Put occasionally on something that 'should' know better, on rare occasions only. Only ever used on the last ring, it IS of benefit when on a Fuzzy that can tank on occasions.
I do prefer to use this occasionally than to step up in the bit dept, or to see a horse drive along in a tight running martingale.

Does the job, horse relaxes itself & things balance out again.

I won't discount anything IF it suits the job/horse but like any gadget, I would not use one as a permanent thing, and certainly not on a youngster - more likely on an older-wiser Fuzzy.

 

[forestfantasy]

I think people forget a MH is actually a martingale and not half as harsh as people make out in the correct hands.
this thread explains how i feel about them perfectly - particually jumpthemoon & Baileyhoss comments

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=161272

 

[forestfantasy]

Agree with Zim-Zim

I do prefer to use this occasionally than to step up in the bit dept, or to see a horse drive along in a tight running martingale.

QUOTE]

Agreed

 

[FanyDuChamp]

But would you use one in Fany's case? Have a look at my post at bottom of page 1.
FDC

 

[Merry Crisis]

They certainly have there place, I used one on a very strong horse and it worked a treat, this horse was a delight to ride in it, having said that I have never used one on any other horse, as I have never had a horse since that the MH would suit. I am not sure that it is the answer for Fany though as I think they come into their own on strong forward going animals.

 

[forestfantasy]

I would say not in your case.
I think you just need a hell of a lot of patience and be just as stubben as her and don't allow it! You've kind of answered your own question by saying she needs more schooling.
If she's already lazy a MH may back her off even more

 

[Wagtail]

But would you use one in Fany's case? Have a look at my post at bottom of page 1.
FDC

If you are able to control her without, then I would most definitely advise against it. Market harbourers, like draw reins make a horse stronger and harder in the mouth.

 

[forestfantasy]

If you are able to control her without, then I would most definitely advise against it. Market harbourers, like draw reins make a horse stronger and harder in the mouth.

Totally disagree with this!
My horse is extremely light in the mouth due to the fact that i didn't immediately jump to a stronger bit and i tried a MH instead, which worked a dream.
And she most certainly isn't strong!
[i do agree that it isn't advisable in your situation though as said above

 

[FanyDuChamp]

They certainly have there place, I used one on a very strong horse and it worked a treat, this horse was a delight to ride in it, having said that I have never used one on any other horse, as I have never had a horse since that the MH would suit. I am not sure that it is the answer for Fany though as I think they come into their own on strong forward going animals.

See that is my problem, Fany is not forward going and she is not naughty as such, not temper tantrums just very, very strong! I was gobsmacked when this "expert" suggested it. I am not a fan of gadgets anyway and to me it seemed totally inappropriate. To me they are for strong horses who are likely to tank off with you, used to use one occasionally on my old lad for hunting because he was strong and like to be first, even before the master!

Thanks for your input.
FDC

 

[Ranyhyn]

I don't know much about them, I think they are those training aids with rings on them. I wouldn't use them, because I don't even know what they are - let alone how to use them
The end

 

[Wagtail]

Totally disagree with this!
My horse is extremely light in the mouth due to the fact that i didn't immediately jump to a stronger bit and i tried a MH instead, which worked a dream.
And she most certainly isn't strong!
[i do agree that it isn't advisable in your situation though as said above

Using a MH is effectively changing the action of the bit by exerting more pressure on it.

 

[Zimzim]

But would you use one in Fany's case? Have a look at my post at bottom of page 1.
FDC

Taking away her age, like you have said she has only been backed for 3 years. Depending on how much she has done over those 3 years could mean that she is just green and therefore more schooling work etc needs to be done rather than resorting to the MH at the moment.

 

[indiat]

There is a dressage rider on our yard who uses one in the school only to help her horses workin the correct outline. She rarely uses it and seems to treat it more as a muscle memory reminder when getting ready for a competition. But I liked the way she described them as not strapping the horses head down - they sounded gentler than a martingale.

 

[Ibblebibble]

But would you use one in Fany's case? Have a look at my post at bottom of page 1.
FDC

depends on what she does when she's trying to turn for home? if she throws her head up to evade the bit then yes an MH would help stop that, of course no gadget is a replacement for correct schooling blah blah but with a big strong girl like Fany a gadget may give you the edge

 

[FanyDuChamp]

depends on what she does when she's trying to turn for home? if she throws her head up to evade the bit then yes an MH would help stop that, of course no gadget is a replacement for correct schooling blah blah but with a big strong girl like Fany a gadget may give you the edge

That is why I was shocked at the suggestion because she literally just turns, doesn't really toss her head or anything, just tries to turn.
FDC

 

[forestfantasy]

Wagtail - I agree it changes the action of the bit but only if she throws her head above a normal level, similar to a running martingale. I disagreed with you saying it 'makes horses strong' - i used it in my mate for a short time & still do if necessary, she is still ridden in a snaffle, clearly I made my horse so strong!

 

[forestfantasy]

Mare* lol stupid phone!

 

[Enfys]

I think people forget a MH is actually a martingale and not half as harsh as people make out in the correct hands.
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This.

I have used and will continue to use them should the need arise, fitted correctly they only come into action as and when needed - if used properly. Nothing wrong with them at all. They are also known as German Martingales in North America and are widely used for western training.

 

[Ibblebibble]

That is why I was shocked at the suggestion because she literally just turns, doesn't really toss her head or anything, just tries to turn.
FDC

can't see that an MH would help particularly with Fany

 

[Laafet]

In your case I would not advise using one. They are not harsh at all, I have no idea why people think they are. I mainly used on my old boy for Hunting (yes I went with the Bloodhounds regularly in it), the main reason being that despite being an angel in most circumstances, in company out hunting he got silly. He would jig jog and snatch at the reins, which is very tiring and hurt my back. The MH would correct him before he got to the silly snatching phase and he just learnt not to do it. I also used it on my Welsh D x who was struggling to come down and round, it was just as a reminder when his head got to high. They are much better than draw reins as they give immediately and I never had them fixed so that they were constantly in action.