Martingale/Draw Rein Usage

[mackieb]

findeight- Yeah, that’s exactly the situation I’m in and it doesn’t help that I’m away at school and can only give her the consistent rides she needs every 3-4 weeks Here at school, I found a horse to ride through a friend of a friend and the owner is giving me flat/dressage lessons, which is helping

Obiwan- My trainer (never said she was in hall of fame) does know how to fit one but the mare was reacting so much that we checked with other trainers who use unconventional tack more often (my barn shows in hunters 98% of the time) and they confirmed it was adjusted right. I only looked up the technical definition of draw reins to prove a point, I’ve been trained on how to use them by a professional for years now, so happily ignored

[toady123]

Good flat work with a competent rider.

The mare sounds like she doesn’t know how to accept contact - likely because she is ridden by a variety of people who likely don’t know how to maintain it. This results in her being ineffective in how she carries herself, and therefore weak because she is not using herself and developing the appropriate musculature. Which makes her less able to learn how to accept contact, and use herself properly (which are two separate things). And around and around it goes.

She is young, likely confused, and clearly trying to tell you something. Gadgets are not going to solve things. It doesn’t even sound like they are proving a “bandaid” solution at the moment.

Take her back, work on the flat, let her develop and figure things out.

[nutmeg]

Also check the corners of her mouth to see if she has rubs or cracks. Sometimes a split inside the cheek won’t be noticed unless you are really hunting for it. That can be the source of a lot of head tossing, particularly when many different hands have been holding the reins. The martingale might be secondary. If you find one, try a glob of Vaseline on the spot before the bit goes in & salt water rinses.

[mackieb]

Nutmeg,

It’s actually funny that you mention that- During a week long show, we found a sore when she was tossing her head way more than the occasional shake, moved her noseband up a few holes and she was so much better. Noseband looked a little too high but we’d rather she was happy than having a lower noseband. That’s also why we’re looking into alternatives to the normal noseband:)

[findeight]

Some of these replies are very good suggestions but, since OP has explained she does not own the horse, cannot ride it consistently and the Trainer/owner must use it as a lesson horse for financial reasons? Aren’t going to solve the underlying problem.

Its why sometimes if you ride other people’s horses, you need to adapt to less then ideal conditions and accept what you do have to work with. It is what it is, not what you’d want it to be. Personally, I’d just try to do as much correct flatwork as I could squeeze in and hope it helps the mare get into a better situation. She sounds decent do be doing as well as she is with what she does know and not take it out on her various riders. That accepting attitude likely will not last forever, she’ll start stopping.

[mackieb]

findeight: Thanks for understanding, that’s kind of what I’ve been waiting to hear. I’d love to see her go to a home with a private owner who can just focus on her; she’s crazy athletic and talented (she championed at her first/only two jumper shows so far), in the right situation she could make an amazing high childrens/low junior jumper and I’m just gonna keep enjoying/learning from her for now and helping her all I can.