Alternative to pelham, any suggestions?

[dreamcometrue]

My horse is very strong and difficult to stop if he takes it into his head to take off. Most of the time he is quite placid but to hack out alone he will attempt to turn for home and take off with me. He will take hold of the bit and put his head right down and charge. Hence I ride him in a ported pelham most of the time after having tried a gag, French link snaffle and a full cheek snaffle. Occasionally, when I hack out in company, I use a ported Uttoxeter Kimblewick with the reins on the lower slot but he is still strong in this. The question is, is there any other bit that I could try as I would really like to be able to ride out with just one rein and I do not want to use roundings on the pelham as I use the pelham properly, only taking contact with the lower rein when necessary. He does not like a jointed bit with a nutcracker action but does respect the curb.

 

[Zebedee]

How about a Globe Pelham?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HUNLOKE-BIT-AKA-GL...1QQcmdZViewItem

or even a plain Weymouth?

 

[CowgirlACH]

Have you tried an elevator snaffle otherwise known as a three ring snaffle?
http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/tack_apparel/bit_gallery/threering_021005
Or perhaps one of the mikmar bits? www.mikmar.com

 

[Enfys]

Have you considered a Military reversible? Straight mouthed with a choice of rein slots. Excellent bit.

 

[Holloa]

Have you tried a waterford (ring bradoon) or a roller- something which he can't get a hold of?

Hope it helps.

 

[Donkeymad]

I would second the waterford, as they can't 'hold' onto it.

 

[dreamcometrue]

Hey, thanks for all these suggestions.

Some very interesting-looking bits there. I thought about a waterford and might give that a try. Not keen on the globe pelham as it would seem like riding with just the lower rein of the pelham and he doesn't need that all the time.

Looked on the mikmar website. Could be a possibility there.