What’s all this Tack on Jumpers?

[equinekacy]

I know this is a very vague question but I’ve seen a lot of jumpers go decided out to the MAX in tack and just wondering what that all is? Obviously there are boots, a fly bonnet, saddle, etc, but I see a lot of stuff attached from the girth and or the saddle to the bridle. Does any jumper want to kind of walk me through what tack they have on their horse? Thank you!

[StormyDay]

You are probably seeing a martingale. Running martingales are popular in jumpers. It’s used mainly to keep the horse from lifting its head too high when approaching the jump. I don’t use one, so someone else should chime in and give you a better explanation.
Jumpers also use hackamores, double reins, and breastplates pretty regularly which can give the appearance of more tack than in the hunters.

It may be better to link a photo so we can see what you are talking about.

[ghst13]

@equinekacy

I know this is a very vague question but I’ve seen a lot of jumpers go decided out to the MAX in tack and just wondering what that all is? Obviously there are boots, a fly bonnet, saddle, etc, but I see a lot of stuff attached from the girth and or the saddle to the bridle. Does any jumper want to kind of walk me through what tack they have on their horse? Thank you!

A large number of jumpers are likely using a breastplate (3 point/5 point/polo/etc) to avoid the saddle slipping during jumping efforts and tight turns as well as some form of martingale. From the saddle to bridle you would be seeing a martingale. In the US, anyone jumping 1.30m or higher or in young horse classes can only use a running martingale but lower level classes do not have a restriction on the type of martingale (running/bib/standing/German/etc).

[skipollo]

So I just started doing jumpers this year after eventing for several years, but I would say I’m pretty minimal on tack. Saddle, pad, half pad, bridle with flash, girth. Sometimes I’ll put one of his bonnets on because #style, and if we’re jumping bigger fences I’ll use his breastplate just to be safe, although we’ve never had a saddle slipping issue without it. I keep his bit really simple too–a full cheek French link. I’m thinking about stepping him down to a full cheek oval link because it’s even softer than the French link. He has a light soft mouth and has never been a heavy puller type.

In his younger days, he was hot in the sense that he was anxious and frantic almost all of the time. If I had dressed him up in a ton of things/gadgets it would’ve sent him over the edge. He’s much quieter and happier now, but I still go with the “less is more” approach with his tack.

He’s moving up in fence heights now, so I really should start putting front boots on him just to be safe. Maybe Santa will bring them this year :lol:

[gottagrey]

I agree, you’re probably seeing a fig-8 bridle, with breastplate and running martingale - some have a leather panel on them, so it can all look like a lot of leather. And some use pelhams or gags with 2 reins so that’s even more strap leather.

[equinekacy]

@twixNnater

I’m guessing you mean something along these lines. (Harrie Smolders’ long-time 5* champion jumper Don VHP Z).
I feel like the important thing to say here is that everything is meant to serve a purpose. (You might not agree with that as a choice, but it is a choice). I’ll try to take you from front to back in case it’s helpful. [LIST=1]

Brown fluffy noseband = Shadow Roll. Traditionally used for horses with high head carriage to keep their nose down some, since they can't see over with their head up. Also frequently used with ground spooks, so they don't look at low flowers/boxes/filler at the fences. In Harrie's case, the shadow roll is actually padding the hackamore noseband to soften the pressure and/or prevent rubbing. (Also very common to see rubber hackamore nosebands used here too).

Long, curved metal mouth piece/chain under chin/extra cheek piece/extra chin strap above noseband = Hackamore setup (medium-to-long shank). Pulling back on reins attached to the bottom of the shank creates leverage that will put pressure on the horse's nose and a little bit on its pole. Horses with sensitive or hard mouths respond to this pressure better than a bit. General bystanders seem to think these are particularly cruel because it's a lot of metal, but it's actually about the softest way you can control a horse and offers many options for modification. A longer shank is going to give you more leverage and control. A rubber or sheepskin noseband will soften the pressure some. A real curb chain under the chin will give you more control, but you can swap out for rubber or leather for a softer feel.

Round bit piece = An Actual Bit. This full setup is called a "Hack-A-Bit." Again, looks like a lot. Generally pretty soft. In fact, this looks like it could be a loose ring snaffle or something with a little french in it. I almost always see riders with hack-a-bit setups using a softer bit than those with just a bit. Hackamores are notoriously bad for steering, and since most riders would like to make the inside turn, many opt for the best of both worlds and put a bit in too. (The bit has its own cheek piece and the side is getting bulky. It actually looks like they may have tied string around the bit cheek piece to keep it from slipping forward over the horse's eye...good call).

Y-shaped piece at the end of the reins connecting bit and bottom of hackamore shank = Rein Converter. Makes it so that the rider doesn't have to manage a double bridle. Also keeps communication between the bit and the pressure of the hackamore more consistent, because they don't function so independently (unlike draw reins).

Navy ear thing/hat = Bonnet. Originally used to keep bugs out of the ears for sensitive horses. Now used more often to help keep cotton in the ears (where allowed) and just muffle sound some (where ear stuffing is not allowed).

Leather straps from each rein to chest = Clip-On Running Martingale. In this case, Harrie has a running martingale piece that clips onto a ring in the center of his breastplate. Makes for easy removal if you want or use on multiple horses. Running martingales use their shortness setting together with the pull of the rider's reins to create leverage that encourages the horse's head down. Having rings at the far end allows the amount of leverage to increase and decrease as you pull or relax, but unlike draw reins, there is a preset length and stoppers at the bit end, so you can only go so deep into the flexion.

Leather shoulder/chest piece = Breastplate. Clipped to the saddle and used to help keep it forward on the horse (among other things). In this case, also provides an attachment place for the running martingale piece. You can find horses wearing both entire pieces together or individually too.

Large leather belly piece = Bellyguard. Keeps horses with exceptionally tight front ends from kicking themselves in the stomach. Especially since at higher levels these horses are often wearing metal studs in their shoes (think old fashioned cleats). No one wants that rude awakening on course. Then there's also a loop or clip on the bellyguard of the long martingale piece of the breastplate to attach. (Always attach tightly and no hanging pieces...I've seen a horse get a front foot caught in its bellygaurd strap and come down on only 1 front knee. Not cool). [/LIST] I think that's it for stuff that could be seen as off. If you're on here, you probably get the boots, saddle pads, what Harrie's up to, etc. This was long, but I hope it helped. I have a true appreciation for people trying to learn about equipment and what it does.

This is just what I wanted!! Thank you so much!
one more question… what is the net-like piece of equipment you see a lot in Grand Prix’s that goes sort of where the martingale is? I attached a photo of it below, you might have to zoom in tho

[mroades]

That’s an Irish martingale

[alibi_18]

@mroades

That’s an Irish martingale

No, it is not.

It’s a bib martingale.

[Highflyer]

It’s a bib martingale, basically serves the same purpose as a running martingale but without the long straps that a mouthy horse can grab and get stuck through its mouth. And a lot of racing people use it as well because (like an Irish) it keeps the reins from going over the horse’s head when shenanigans occur.

[twixNnater]

@Highflyer

It’s a bib martingale, basically serves the same purpose as a running martingale but without the long straps that a mouthy horse can grab and get stuck through its mouth. And a lot of racing people use it as well because (like an Irish) it keeps the reins from going over the horse’s head when shenanigans occur.

I’ve also known some riders that prefer bib martingales because the leather or fabric in between the rings limits the 2 sides from functioning as independently as a regular running martingale. This provides a more consistent feel through the bridle when you want to turn, etc. Not so one-handed. Easier for some young horses to understand or horses with sensitive mouths to tolerate. Kind of like how you get more cohesive communication between a bit and hackamore shank by using the rein converters instead of double reins.