Bit help for showing! Hates Pelham

Eloisee

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 July 2014
Messages
62
Visit site
Hi all!
Finally after 3 years my boy is fully sound, back sorted, new saddle the lot! And even tho he's now 18 and I'm at uni I want to make a good go of attending some summer shows. He's got some good flashy paces when his mind is on the job and I want to do showing and dressage. A bit for dressage is not a problem but he does not like the Pelham at all for showing!!
He's never been ridden in one before I got him and I rode him in it for 2 months before our first showing show last year and he's just not comfortable in it. I felt I couldn't push him in the ring cos any twinge on the curb rein and he's off! He bolted twice when warming up cos he was spooking and then I had to turn let go on the bottom rein cos it only made it worse. Thankfully in the ring he was okay
It's only local showing so is there really any problem in just a normal snaffle? Or should I keep trying?
Sorry it's a little long winded
 
He may prefer a double which will be easier for you to use without the curb being used accidentally, a leather or elastic curb chain would also help and ensure the curb chain is not too loose as it will allow more movement and can be worse that having it firm, obviously dont have it tight, otherwise a snaffle is acceptable for local level providing he goes well in it and will be better than a tense horse in the ring.
 
Any sensible judge would actually mark down for the horse being uncomfortable in the mouth. So many times at local level you see horses and riders who have gone out and purchased a Pelham or double just for the occasion but in fact the horse hates it... and sadly more often than not the rider isn't experienced with double reins, adding to the uncomfortable look.
Go in a snaffle, enjoy yourself and know that you are both happy and comfy :)
 
use a snaffle if that is what's he happy with!

I did a lot of hunter classes last year and majority of judges confirmed that they would prefer to see horse go well and comfortable in a snaffle regardless of class than be unhappy in a Pelham......not worth it, go in your basic snaffle!!
 
If its just local showing just use your everyday bit that his happy in I often show in a snaffle, both my horses are very sensitive in the mouth but they go really well in a ported myler Pelham it's not such a mouthful like some of the normal ones, and as your horse is not keen on the curb chain you could try a leather curb and fit it quite loosely, I know quite a few horses that much prefer them to chains, and you could even try a Pelham with a jointed mouthpiece if that's what's his comfortable in as it then has less curb action because of the joint.
 
How do you do up your curb chain - often people do the curb chain up behind the bit - which is incorrect - It brings the chain up onto the thin skin covering the narrow jaw bones - very painful, it also pinches the corners of the mouth between the chain and the bit - also painful.

Correctly fitted the curb chain is brought through the offside bit ring, twisted until it is flat, and then brought through the nearside bit ring, given a final half twist and the bottom of the link placed over the hook. This method keeps the curb chain in the chin groove where it belongs. The tightness of the chain needs to be fitted so that the curb part only comes into action when the shanks are at 45º.

Another thing to consider is the shape of the mouthpiece - Mullen mouth (slight curve) increased pressure on the tongue. Cambridge mouth (Small port shape in the middle) shapes around the tongue and works more on the bars. Jointed - Not recommended as can be severe - uneven action of the curb.

Ensure the bit is fitted at the right height - snug into the corners of the mouth with minimal wrinkle. Too high and the curb chain cannot sit in the correct part of the jaw - the chin groove.

Picture showing the fitting of the chain through the bit ring

Pelhamchainthroughring.jpg
 
My boy is ridden everyday in a French Link snaffle. In the ring he is in a French Link pelham with a loose leather curb chain.

He doesn't find it any different and neither do I!!!
 
Try a double - my boy hates any pelham (and any type of curb chain with one) but seemed happy enough in a double. Failing that just show in a snaffle.
 
Top