Difference in effect between jointed and rubber mullen pelham?

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BeckyD

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Hi, I'm hoping to do some local working hunter/riding horse classes with Ronnie this summer, and to be correct I know I should use a double bridle. I don't think either of us is ready for that yet! So I could use a pelham - which is more correct for showing than his full-cheek snaffle. But I don't know what sort of pelham to get? I don't need it for brakes, can stop fine in my very gentle snaffle (Neue Schule training lozenge). He's just turned 5 and is working nicely through, a little on the forehand but no major problems. I didn't know whether to go for a rubber/vulcanite one that I think are pretty gentle, or to go for a jointed Neue Schule one like his current mouthpiece which may be more familiar - also more ££££.

Oh, and he tends to chomp/crunch the bit when anxious/stressed.

Please could someone either advise me where I can look to find the answer to this or, alternativley, advise me themsleves?
 
if hes still relitively young and goes well i'd be really reluctant to change. A rubber pelham is often very fat and some horses don't like it because there isn't enough room for thier tounges, even if it is a mullen. These bits work off the tounge and lips mainly but there is some bar pressure. Jointed woulds on, lips, bars and tounge and has the "nutcracker" action when you apply the reins. I'd just see what he likes TBH and see if you can get away with staying with what you have or get a pelham withthe same mouthpiece.
 
Hi Becky
I agree with Ezme above - jointed Pelhams are very harsh on the horses' mouth and head - you get both the nutcracker & the poll pressure very strongly. I would advise against.
Also careful with rubber, as - if of poorer, cheaper quality - this can have an 'eraser' action in the mouth and lead to irritations.
You might be best off with just a standard stainless pelham.... or trying to get away with what he has.

Good Luck for the comp.
 
Thanks for the advice. When you say a standard stainless, do you mean a mullen stainless?

I am keen to not go over-the-top in terms of action (he really doesn't need it) but I do also want to be correct for the class. I guess that's not important at this stage, more important that he has a good experience in the show ring. I just got so frustrated when I was younger, consistently being told that I would have been placed higher if I'd been in a double bridle has left me with a bit of an "issue" over it! Grrr.

I think I'll wait and see how we get on in the snaffle. It may turn out that I do need extra brakes at a show anyway.
 
Someone said this to me once and it has stayed firmly in my brain ever since (not that I have ever ridden in one). They said that riding in a jointed pelham with a curb chain on creates a 'crushing triangle' round the horses lower jaw
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I have stuck to a mullen mouth pelham whenever I need extra brakes
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We do a lozenge pelham

If the horse dosen't need a pelham and its for showing, you can remove the curb and ride on the snaffle rein and its basically a normal lozenge eggbutt snaffle. Not quite as much feel as a loose ring, but not bad!

I hate single joints and most of mine would lean on a mullen.
 
Ditto cotswoldSJ I was told if you can get your normal bit in a pelham, remove the curb chain and ride using the snaffle rein, but hold the curb rein just slightly longer (you don't want to accidentally bring it in to play but you don't want the judge to see washing lines) then the effect is as similar as you can get to your normal bit.

... As the pelham version of F's bit (sprenger KK loose ring lozenge snaffle) is over £100 I am showing him in plain happy mouth pelham, which he is ok with. Sounds like yours is similar to him, so could try that? Only thing is its very frothy!! lol.
 
That sounds suitable (not that he needs any encouragement to froth - we have enough of that already!). Happy Mouth - are they the plastic ones?

Thank you for the advice!
 
Mmm I'm not a fan of single joints. A lozenge sounds like the best option then, if I do decide to go down the Pelham route. Thanks for the advice, really appreciate it.
 
His happy mouth is plastic, a sort of yellowey colour mouthpiece, that (touch wood frantically) he hasn't managed to chew any sharp edges into or through.. yet! And he is also a chomper. Does it more with the happy mouth, esp when stood in line up - obviously tastes really nice!! They are supposed to taste of apple I think. lol sorry I'm not being much help, try finding them on the net, F already had his when I started with him.
 
I think the single joint is a soft option. I have no control in a single joint yet in the vulcanite I have control.
 
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