Will a Market Harborough help?

Girlracer

Girlracer

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I have a 5yo ex-racehorse that i've had since September, he came to me out the field after being turned away to grow up. I've re-backed him and he's working really well, he's proving to be quite a good little jumper and is so well behaved in all respects.

I took him on our first funride last weekend, this is the first time he's seen XC fences or jumped out of the comfort of the school. Over all he was super and i was so pleased with him, he started off tentative and un-sure of what was happening! However he soon got the hang of it, and suddenly i had ears up my nose and was struggling to hold him, he wasn't strong so much as i struggled to check him into fences due to how high he was holding his head. #

I'm reluctant to move him out of a snaffle as i really don't think he's strong, we had a few run-outs due to me not being able to set him up and adjust him if he tried to vere to the side.

He was worst behind the horse we were with but either way i had his ears up my nose and wasn't in an awful lot of control.

i was told the market harborough might help me with this? I've also considered a standing martingale as he's already in a running. Any ideas of what to try would be great, he's impeccably behaved otherwise so it would purely be to help when he finds it exciting XC.

Thanks in advance!
 
Just take him back to basics. Do tiny fences from a walk then move to trot and canter once he is settled from the previous. If he is an ex-racer he is going to try and race if you put him behind another horse specially if he is finding things a little exciting, just dont do it.
 
painted ponies said:
Just take him back to basics. Do tiny fences from a walk then move to trot and canter once he is settled from the previous. If he is an ex-racer he is going to try and race if you put him behind another horse specially if he is finding things a little exciting, just dont do it.
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Sorry did i ask for your opinion on the work my horse is doing? I'm sure i asked if a Market Harborough martingale would help?
 
I used a MH on my cob who used to throw his head up in the air, and left me with no control. I used it for approx. 6 months and it worked wonders. I didn't do much jumping in mine, however I know that some people do jump in them.
 
Jay89 said:
I used a MH on my cob who used to throw his head up in the air, and left me with no control. I used it for approx. 6 months and it worked wonders. I didn't do much jumping in mine, however I know that some people do jump in them.
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Thank-you that's helpful, i might try and find one to borrow first off and give it a go he's such a gem in every respect he just naturally resorts to a high head carriage when he is excited and it's very difficult to have any control when they do that. I'm pretty sure he'll settle down a bit the more experience he gets, i can see why he was a rubbish racehorse though as he doesn't care that he's left behind!
 
Sorry did i ask for your opinion on the work my horse is doing? I'm sure i asked if a Market Harborough martingale would help?
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don't mean to be argumentative... but, you asked for ideas of what to try... and that's what paintedponies tried to do....

Girlracer said:
. Any ideas of what to try would be great, he's impeccably behaved otherwise so it would purely be to help when he finds it exciting XC.
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eta: still didn't read your question properly... is he being strong, or just holding his head high?
 
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A friend of mine uses one to great success, its the only way she has control hacking. I have been tempted to try one on my boy but they are not legal tack for PC so not going there. I suppose its trial and error really and see what happens.

I'm not a big fan of jumping in standing martingales as I feel it restricts them unlike the MH which allows the head when jumping.

I put a sheepsin noseband cover on my boy to get his head down as he fights martingales and it really works a treat so if all else fails this may be something worth trying?
 
I think it would help to use a MH - give it a try next time if you can borrow one.

I had a lovely section B who competed in Nursery, novice & then open 13hh & also M&M whp in a snaffle & running martingale happily, however, out hunting he was a little devil in the same kit & we used a MH on him (no martingale) with great success - went the same as in the ring then.

Good luck :)
 
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Yes it should help the situation but be careful to get the adjustment right as too tight may just p*ss him off more!! Also I think it would be better to stick to lower heights of jumps (don't know what you have been jumping but prob not much more than 2'6 or so) as it may resitrict his ability and put him off but judge it as you go. It may only require a few outings to remind him of his manners and then it can be slackened off and act more as a safety net.

And to painted ponies - I've found this approach can have the opposite effect on many horses as it blows their brain with frustration.
 
Not really very helpful to suggest that someone just 'doesn't do something' that her horse finds exciting though is it?

I'd try a standing martingle before a MH - I've heard that MH's can cause horses to feel very restricted in their jump and if he is just a baby you want him to feel nice and free over a fence.

A properly fitted standing will keep the ears out of your face without pulling on his mouth.
 
What you DON'T want next time is his poll hitting you in the face !
A Market Harborough will give him a very good idea of what you expect of him, it will give you better control and also encourage him to round himself a little more and probably make himself more comfortable in the process.
I wouldn't even bother borrowing one, just buy one !
Make sure its English leather and nice and supple, use it on the longest setting first and after a few weeks move it up a notch !
You can do everything at home in one....hack, school and jump. It is not a quick fix so don't expect him to stay 'on the bit' when you take it off.
If you are happy with him in it, book onto your next funride and use it, enjoy yourselves !! :)
 
I would choose a Market Harborough over a standing martingale anyday !
In a MH the rider can give and take the reins, so it does have the flexibility.
A standing martingale is a dead stop and will not give any flexibility in the neck, they can bruise the nose and should not be jumped in.
:)
 
They are fantastic,used one on my youngster when he 1st started hacking out many yrs ago,as i too had ears poking me in the eyes and little control when he was oggling something!Didnt have to use it for long as he soon got the general idea,he dosnt even need a martingale for jumping :)
All I would say is when jumping give plenty with the hands as they can be very restrictive otherwise :)
 
I use a MH and think they are a really useful training aid. They still allow the horse to stretch long and low but not go round looking like a giraffe.

There are a few videos on Youtube if you search which show you how to fit/ use. Sometimes called a German martingale I think? But useful if you've never seen one put on and have no one to show you.
 
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