I have an 8 year old TB who I compete in EQ with. His flat work head set/back movement is very good. He uses his back and has a great head set, on the flat. When it comes to jumping I use a running martingale so he doesn't smack me in the face. Sometimes he does tend to throw his head over fence. The running doesn't really help the problem it just prevents me from getting hit. What aid will help us? I've seen EQ riders use a loose standing martingale over fence just so the horse cannot in any way throw his head, then he learns not to. But I've also seen draw reins work well. What would solve our problem and is legal? Please help(:

I would not recommend a draw rein for jumping

I would recommend an instructor

How big are you jumping? There are alot of lower level riders that get too far onto the horse's neck when they jump, it throws off their centre of gravity, puts weight on the horse's neck, puts the horse on the forehand and can result in a horse that stumbles, head tosses or bucks after a jump

Goodluck :-)

A lifetime of owning and riding horses

Draw reins = not legal. Plus they're unsafe to use while jumping.

A standing martingale is pretty standard equipment for hunter/eq classes over fences. A running martingale is a somewhat unusual choice in the hunter/eq ring. I'd try the standing martingale if I were you. After all, 90% of eq riders can't be wrong! Ok, maybe...but still I think it's your best bet.

Without knowing more about your problem it's hard to tell how you could fix the issue with training. Is he throwing his head on approach? Landing? Does he get strong and then throw his head because you are using a lot of rein to hold him back? Do you lose your position over the fences and throw off his balance? Does he simply get too excited? Without more information, all I can suggest is talking to your trainer about the problem. Also going back to jumping gymnastics (rather than courses) will improve any horse, so I'd do that also.

Definitely not draw reins. I'm pretty against draw reins to start with, not to mention with jumping!
Anyway, if a running martingale isn't working, I'd try a standing one. This is, of course, a quick fix. There are plenty of ways to improve your horses' jumping position without an artificial aid.
It sounds like he's launching himself over fences, and failing to stretch down and over the jump.
Grid work is a FANTASTIC idea. It means he's thinking about his striding, and always looking for the next jump. Doing a grid and incorporating a bounce or two would prevent him from getting the run up he needs to throw his head up. It will force him to depend more on his hind legs, while searching with his front legs.
And I know I always say this in answers, but is it possible you could do any trail riding on the hills? Hill work is...so wonderful for a horse. It will stretch all the way up his neck and back, and really build up those hind legs. I think you should give that a shot if it's possible. If it doesn't help with his jumping style, it will help with his flat work. It's always worth a try! pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com

But really, some horses are just like that. I know Arabs like to fling their heads around. And I know plenty of TB's that do it too. If you can't get him to stretch over the jump without an artificial aid, I'd recommend a standing martingale.

Good luck with him!

horse owner/rider