A quick question

They both have mouthpieces (tongue and bar pressure) and shanks (poll pressure) so effectively they can both have a lowering or raising action, depending on whether the horse is more sensitive in the mouth or the poll... however the additional action of the curb chain on the chin means the pelham is probably more likely to raise the head than the gag...
 
Are you thinking, snaffles raise the head & pelhams lower? -This is the saying I recall from many yrs ago at PC.
 
I thought the curb strap was designed to bring to head in, working on the basis that horses go into pressure? Hence gag, works on top of poll = raises head and pelham works on poll but then subsequently on chin groove = lowers?

I have generally always seen horses in pelhams with their heads low and tucked in behind the action of the curb strap and horses in gags have their heads right up. I know its a generalisation, but thats usually what you see.
 
My stable management books says (approx)... "Gag=lots pressure on corners of mouth & poll - can be good for horses who put head down & pull as rider can rasie head with the added leverage - always use with second rein attached to rings so that it can be used as normal snaffle when possible"

"Pelham=indefintie action, trying to combine double bridle action in one bit - but horse can be happy - won't improve mouth but better for heavy-handed rider not doing much damage"

(I think the book prefers everything on a mild snaffle - which would of course be closer to ideal I guess...)

[edited for spelling correction]
 
Ok, well out on a hack my horse likes to pull like a train and put his head up high to look around at everything! He's very green out hacking as its pretty new to him (he's 14, but has always had hacking issues and only really started going out since he's been with me). Until he is more used to it and a bit calmer I need something stronger than his snaffle rather than yanking on his mouth.

I remember someone telling me one or the other helps to lower the head but couldn't remember!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top