Can i train Merry off a martingail??

[merry_legs]

When i got merry he was ridden in a martingail, but i dont realy like using one and would rather be able to ride him without him. so i tried to ride him without one but he kept tossing his head realy badly. (especially when going into jumps)

He tosses his head normally with one but only when asking him to do something difficult and he doesn't do it badly.

I also think that he doessn't seem to like his bit atall,(its a normall eggbut snaffel but is quite thin)

any way i dont mind him having one on when jumping but would realy like to ride him without one normally without him throwing his head up high.

(teeth done about 3 weeks ago, back and saddle also checked and are all fine)

[Demson]

Sounds normal to me in a schooled horse that has become reliant on a martingale.

You need to start reschooling Merry so that he learns to seek a contact rather than resist it.
Take as soft contact and ride him forward using your seat and legs. You need him to work actively from his quarters so that he comes off his forehand and seeks the contact.

While in walk keep a steady contact with the outside rein. This needs to be soft enough so as not to interfere with the balance and bend but strong enough to control speed and amount of bend given and also to rebalance when applying half halts.

Your inside rein is to ask for bend and outline. You need to stay consistant in your schooling and not chop and change.

As your walking around as Merry to flex from the poll, as soon as he gives in the slightest reward him by giving slightly with the rein but only slightly as the more rein you give the more he will raise his head.

Be prepared to do most or even all of your schooling in walk (this is the most difficult gait to get right) Do lot of transistions from halt to walk to halt, incorporate circles, loops, figure eights, serpentines etc. These all help the horse to use its muscles and get used to moving forward in a different outline.

Also do some counter flexion to help supple the muscles.

Once merry is going forward without raising his head all the time try everything in trot, so go from trot to walk to halt back to walk to trot. Keep doing it until you get something positive.

If he gets excited and throws his head abot just calm him down, halt and start again, don't get upset about it, he is trying.... just gets confused.

cheers

[merry_legs]

Thanks for that ALF, i will try that in my schooling from now on, should i take the martingale off straight away, or school him how you said for a bit first, the remove the martingale.

also i think his bit may be a bit wide (about half an inch at the side of his mouth), do you think i should get a less wide bit??

[Demson]

Yes just take the martingale off, be prepared for some star gazing from merry but stay relaxed, learn to breathe correctly and think positive, if you feel yourself getting agiatated, jus tthink to yourself,,he's confused but is trying...


As for the bit, hold the bit by the sides and hold it straight. There should be enough room to place a finger between the bit and Merry's lips. If htere is more then yes you need a smaller bit. but if you are not sure have someone experienced to check it for you.

Cheers

[merry_legs]

well i rode him without the martingale like you said yesterday, i just did light work with him and didn't demand much, i mostly did walk, and he didn't toss his head once!! think he noticed i had taked it off, then i nhacket him out today and he was verry good head tossing wize (again didn't toss it once) but i am going on holliday tomorrow and he will be ridden by a little girl so i think i will put the martingale on for her to ride him.

thankyou for all your help by the way, much appreciated!!