Re: Draw Reins vs Market Harborough

Actually, if we're being truthful, I'm not very keen on draw reins at all.  It takes a great deal of skill to use them properly (I'm not commenting on your riding ability here, just the draw reins!) and if you don't, you build up muscle in the wrong places and make the job harder for your horse and yourself.  My previous horse went very well in a Market Harborough, but the minute I took it off I found it had made no difference whatsoever.  If I put a MH on Barnaby he would just lean on it and be chuffed to bits.  At the end of the day, all these schooling aids have their uses for a short while, to show the horse where you want him to be, but as you can't use any of them in a dressage test, you are better off putting the time in with the schooling and showing the horse what you require of him, preferably with a good instructor.  You might be better off buying a good lungeing aid, but again you have to find what works best for your horse.  Barnaby goes very well in side reins but hates a chambon and just pulls against it the whole time, which, when you think I am trying to get him to go soft and rounded, is a bit pointless.  Eventually I think he'd break it.  Ditto the Pessoa, although my TB is wonderful in it.  He didn't know he had a back end until we put that on him!  I have just bought a lungee bungee for Barnaby, so we'll see how that goes.  It's all trial and error really.  Just my tuppence worth!

Re: Draw Reins vs Market Harborough

I'd say Market harborough. Mainly because you can't properly jump with draw reins - they're quite severe on the horses head and allow little movement.

My horse had a market harborough because she constantly bucked, reared, bolted etc. and we were kind aat the point of trying anything.

I personally don't think it makes a bit of difference. At first, having them on might have done something, but it didn't stop her misbehaving.

Recently, we just wear it on the loosest buckle as honestly, it makes no difference when riding apart from keeping their head down, and even then it doesn't work the right muscles as you can get around it.

But if it's draw reins vs market harborough, go mh, as at least the mh only works when you have a contact with the bit rather than all the time - hence why it's allowed by BSJA.

Overall, I don't really like artificial aids when theyr're over used. they're okay to teach a horse t do soemthing, but not like a permanent thing, as they do lose the effect after a while.

Re: Draw Reins vs Market Harborough

 To be honest, if i were to choose between mh and draw reins I'd probably decide to use draw reins.. Although there are bad points to the draw reins, Iv been using them twice a week on my mare and building her up slowly, what i find is that i can let them go slack to give her a break when out hacking and if she did decide to panic i can slack them. my yard owner uses both MH and draw reins and her horses are have fab musce and soften in outline without the training aids. I feel the draw reins have helped my mare to realise she doesnt have to go forward is her nose to the sky ... everyone has different views on them though.. 

Re: Draw Reins vs Market Harborough

 I am not a fan of either of them, and have seen too many people use draw reins horribly (example in the picture attached). However when used responsably they can both be extremely good. 

Personally I prefer a MH as I feel that it helps to build up an outline over time and not so much so soon, but it's all down to you really

x

Re: Draw Reins vs Market Harborough

 I used a market harborough on and off Velvet for years.  She was terrible for setting her neck and jaw when I first got her, resulting in no control whatsoever.  It was dangerous to go into a field with her.  It really helped to regain control because she couldnt set against it.  I only use it very occasionally now.  

I have seen it misused tho..people jumping in it..something you should never do.

Draw reins also have their place IF used correctly and the horse is being ridden from behind up into them.