Jumpers- They all look the same?

Question

Alright, i'm a hunter... And everyone knows hunters use the least amount of tack possible. A saddle, and snaffle bridle, thats basically it.

So, my queston is... Why do most jumpers use:

1. A figure 8 Bridle? Whats the purpose?

2. Half pad? I know, probably just for comfort...

3. Breastplate/running martingale combo?

In my opinion... its mostly for show... If your horse frames up nicely, doesn't rush, and is trained to jump properly, you really don't need all the gadgets. Especially running martingales.. they just strap those on every jumper out there.

Lets here some opinions here. I'm not bashing jumpers, lol, I want to be one! I love love love jumpers.

Answer 1

I think you mean a "Figure 8" noseband, which helps keep the horse from gapping at the bit (Opening his mouth to avoid the pull of the bit.).

As for a 1/2 pad, some horses are built down hill and this helps lift the cantle up and get the rider more balanced in the saddle which can really help going over fences.

Breast plate/running martingale combo:  It's a lot easier to be whipping around turns, cranking a horse's head this way or that if it's not up in your face!  

I would suggest that you go to a BUNCH of shows with open jumper classes and WATCH them, then see who's mostly in the ribbons/money and go back to their barns and see if they will let you work as a groom or at least let you take lessons there.

Best of luck.

Answer 2

i also think u mean a figure 8 noseband my horse has 1 and it stops the horse opening its mouth and putting the bit in between its teeth. the halfpads are for comfort and martingals stop the horse putting its head to high and breast plates stop the saddle slipping so most of its not for show its because they need it

Answer 3

Your hunter classes are oviously judged on the style and constistancy in your horses performance.  Jumpers of course need the clock to be on their side as well as the poles staying up.  Anytime speed and absolute accuracy becomes the goal, every flaw will be exposed.  

Take your horse for example, it probably turns politely, accepts the bit when you ask for a half halt, and keeps its head at a constistant level as you go around a line diagonal line kind of course.  It is well trained right?  

Now take that horse and demand faster, tighter turns that require you to really sit down on that horse and turn in your tracks.  Might lead to an open mouth here and there right?  Every time that mouth opens you are losing a little communication and adding time faults.  Figure eight looks better now.

Martingales are a hallmark of the hunters too.  Standing martingales get attached to every hunter out there.  Jumpers using running martingales makes sense.  The horses are likley to get high headed as the speed and turning get cranked up, but the jumper riders still need to release over the fence.  A standing martingale wouldn't allow for adjustment in the release should the horse need a big release.  

Half pads can add a lot of comfort for a horse that may be hard to fit saddle wise.  

These are all tools of the trade, and although no gadget will ever replace  a good training program, they do have their place when used correctly.

Answer 4

not sure about 1 & 2 because i do hunters too and don't use them... but the running martingale is most likely for safety

i have seen people fall and the reins go flying over the horse's head... he then gallops off and gets his leg caught in the reins and wants to know what the h**l is pulling on his head if he has no rider... he fights it by pulling back and ends up in even more trouble... so i bet they use the running martingales not only for conteol, but also to keep the reins from going over the horse's head

Answer 5

Alot of them need the extra equipment to be kept under control.  Particularly in the timed "jump off".  It is definitely not just for show, because all these pieces of equipment are quite expensive.  Before you go very far in hunters, you need to read a good book on equipment and the uses for each.  The more you read, the more intelligent you will sound,.