Bit worries, changing from a Pelham to a Snaffle

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KalaJ

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This is probably a very silly question but I want to change my mare's bit as I think the Pelham she came with is just too harsh for her.

A bit of background, she has not been ridden for a couple of years, since I bought her 3 months ago she has had a new saddle (and checked), back checked, teeth done, farrier etc and all fine. I've also had a couple of lessons which has really helped, however she still really pulls her head down and then tosses it around and is constantly biting the bit as if it is really uncomfortable. I was told that she was in a Pelham as was really strong but having ridden her in lots of different situations, fields, school, roads etc she doesn't seem that strong at all and I'm wondering if she needs the Pelham. My Instructor thinks she is just lazy and is trying to evade work but if I wanted to try a snaffle......i'm thinking a french link, can I just change it and start riding her? I'm thinking I should wait for my next lesson but she seems so uncomfortable I want to try it sooner.

Or any other suggestions for a new bit will be welcome. Sorry if it seems a stooopid question, this is all new to me!
 
What kind of Pelham is it? Does it have a single-jointed mouthpiece or a link/lozenge, or is it ported? Unless you have hard hands, I doubt if the discomfort is because the bit is too severe, more probably just the wrong conformation for her mouth.
 
French link snaffle would be good , but try it without a noseband as well I have a horse that does exactly the same things when ridden in a nose band but without he is fine
 
Changed my horse from the kimblewick she came with (which I was told she needed due to lack of brakes) to a French link. she became much easier - I think she ran away from the pressure of the port, so go for it if u think horse is uncomfortable.
Usually best to try a new bit in a safe confined space though & I wouldn't use it first at a lesson as you both need to get used to it, mine took a few rides to realise she wasn't going to get the port jabbing in her soft palate.
 
If she's in a Pelham, are you riding with two reins? If so all you need to do is try riding on the top rein only, if that goes OK then you are effectively riding in a straight bar snaffle anyway and can easily swap.
 
Cortez said:
If she's in a Pelham, are you riding with two reins? If so all you need to do is try riding on the top rein only, if that goes OK then you are effectively riding in a straight bar snaffle anyway and can easily swap.
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No, not two reins, just with roundings
 
w1bbler said:
Changed my horse from the kimblewick she came with (which I was told she needed due to lack of brakes) to a French link. she became much easier - I think she ran away from the pressure of the port, so go for it if u think horse is uncomfortable.
Usually best to try a new bit in a safe confined space though & I wouldn't use it first at a lesson as you both need to get used to it, mine took a few rides to realise she wasn't going to get the port jabbing in her soft palate.
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I might just try it in the school tomorrow night, she can't go far if I have no brakes lol
 
KalaJ said:
I might just try it in the school tomorrow night, she can't go far if I have no brakes lol
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Now this just makes me cross: for the last time - the bit is not a brake! What your horse/pony needs, if it is not listening, is schooling, not particularly stuff in its mouth.
 
Cortez said:
Now this just makes me cross: for the last time - the bit is not a brake! What your horse/pony needs, if it is not listening, is schooling, not particularly stuff in its mouth.
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And that is why I asked about changing the bit, she came with a Pelham and was told she was very strong but after lots and lots and lots of schooling and some lessons that is not the case. The reason I made the comment is that I just don't know how she will react.....especially if she has always been used to the pelham
 
"lots and lots of schooling" that doesn't produce any discernible results isn't really schooling at all then, is it? I presume that you are somewhat young/inexperienced (if you weren't then you'd have done what all us old timers do, which is just change the bit and find out what happens), and I don't want to be mean, but the bit isn't really all that influential if you know what you're doing. If you can get someone experienced to help you (i.e. a good instructor) they can perhaps show you the different actions of the bit/hand/seat and how to train the horse to respond to your aids willingly. Good luck, it's an interesting and rewarding journey (sorry for being a cranky old bag).
 
Hi OP
I changed my loan horse from a Pelham and it worked really well. I went to a waterford gag and put it on the top or middle ring depending on what I'm doing. It really has stopped all the head shaking. He also had a pelham with a flash which (and I didn't know it then!) don't work together very well apparently
Good luck - try it where you feel comfortable.
 
Cortez said:
"lots and lots of schooling" that doesn't produce any discernible results isn't really schooling at all then, is it? I presume that you are somewhat young/inexperienced (if you weren't then you'd have done what all us old timers do, which is just change the bit and find out what happens), and I don't want to be mean, but the bit isn't really all that influential if you know what you're doing. If you can get someone experienced to help you (i.e. a good instructor) they can perhaps show you the different actions of the bit/hand/seat and how to train the horse to respond to your aids willingly. Good luck, it's an interesting and rewarding journey (sorry for being a cranky old bag).
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Not young but yes, inexperienced! Obviously the schooling isn't producing the results I want or I would not be asking strangers on a forum, don't get me wrong she has come on massively in the last 3 months but this head tossing thing and messing with the bit is concerning me. She does respond to my voice but I'm still working on my seat. I just want her to be happy and if the bit is making her unhappy then I want to change it. If there is no change then it's back to the drawing board! It's a massive learning curve for me, when I learnt to ride years ago every horse was in a snaffle and any old saddle......oh how times have changed (from another cranky bag)
 
I have gone off Pelhams somewhat, used to think they were great. When u say straight, do you mean literally straight, or with a Mullen mouth (curved but without a joint)? Straight is very severe...
 
Have you tried riding in double reins? My horse doesn't really get on with roundings but goes well in double reins for showing. In means you have better control of the contact as nd can feel what you are doing more. I swap between a Pelham for showing and a drop cheek for dressage ads a Pelham isn't dressage legal
 
I hate the idea of riding in a Pelham, I would only use it or showing personally as my horse is ridden in a French link loose ring snaffle, no flash, no martingale. He can be strong and he does take off, he chews his bit and will through his head around but I trust him that if he does take off or mis behave I still feel safe.

If you feel safe you mighty as well give it a shot, no point riding in something coorsh all the time if it not nessesary, you can always change back when riding in big open spaces?
 
Pelhams really shouldn't be ridden in with one rein, as you are giving quite mixed signals to the horse!!

I'm with you, try her in a snaffle (I personally like french linked eggbutts) in an arena and see how it goes. I ride a horse that has the potential to be strong (17hh chunky unbalanced youngster) but as long as I always keep him off the forehand he's fine! It's all down to schooling really, and even with a strong/hard mouthed horse, you can school them to be light in a snaffle, just as you can teach a horse to be more responsive off the leg.

ETA, I'm not a fan of flashes either, I would take that off! Also my horse doesn't like anything that rattles (so no loose rings), just a thought, it might be the movement she dislikes.
 
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i assume your pelham looks like this? http://www.trot2.com/images/_lib/lorina-mullen-mouth-pelham-bit-6007657-0-1236251740000.jpg

put 2 reins on it...one on 'snaffle' ring and the other on the 'curb' ring.....then you can use the top as a hanging snaffle...with the bottom for a little more poll pressure if needed.....you can always knot the curb reins so you dont have a continual hold on them, but have them near by if needed.

to see how your horse would react to a snaffle you could always remove the curb rein and the curb chain (possibly not best practice....nor correct) but it will show you how your horse would react to a hanging snaffle...ive done this before when i wanted a hanging snaffle but couldnt get hold of the one i wanted!

you may just have to try lots of bits to see what your horse likes......
 
My new horse was ridden mainly in a cheltenham gag, which resulted in a very over bent and on the forehand ride.

As the previous owners had bought him just to hunt and sell on after the end of the season, I managed to track down the original advert they had bought him from. Guess what - it said the horse was always ridden in a snaffle, even for hunting.

To cut a long story short I have now put him back in a snaffle and he is so much happier. His head has come back up, his outline has relaxed and lengthened, but still have good control. I started by riding him in the school in it, then progressed to hacking and fun rides. For the last couple of weeks I have also done mounted hound excercise, and again yet to have any problems.

Just go for it - start in the school and go from there!
 
'a bit is only as harsh as the hands it is in'

roundings aren't really a help with this type of bit and waterford? really?

Pearlsasiner has a great point as does another previous poster (sorry I read but didn't make a note of your name!)

If you want to move yourself away then look at something like a french link, the usual reason for a pelham is a low palette, if you don't understand this then find a proper expert for your horses sake!

Just to add having re-read after posting Cortez is right!
 
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