Horse sticking tongue out with pelham

[sidesaddlegirl]

We're doing a Side Saddle Association show in June and plan on doing a Concours D'Elegance class where you have to use a bridle with double reins if you are riding in a top hat which I will be doing.

I usually ride my mare in a loose ring KK bit with an Aurigan mouthpeice or a Shires full cheek lozenge with copper enriched mouth and she goes well in both bits, soft in the mouth, works in an outline, etc so bought a lozenge Pelham since she goes well in a lozenge type bit.

Tried it today while schooling and she did not like it at all. Her tongue was sticking out the side and she just wasn't there "mentally" for me. I was trying to ride mostly off of the snaffle as I don't need a curb to make her work in an outline but she just wasn't happy in that bit. I took off the curb rein and just rode on the snaffle but she still wasn't happy with the bit. She has never stuck her tongue out with a bit, usually she just chomps happily on them.

She has a fat tongue so wondered if the increased severity of the bit was hurting her, maybe she doesn't like stainless steel? Maybe she needs a gentle port for extra space for her tongue and a copper enriched mouthpeice like she is used to like this bit has?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Copper-Mi..._Equipment&hash=item3f16bc6bdd#ht_2428wt_1185

I can't afford the KK version of the pelham either as it's over £100!!!!

If I'm going to show at the higher levels of ss showing, I'll need to have a double reined bridle so not sure what to do??

 

[touchstone]

I think a change of mouthpiece should do the trick, my mare has a fat tongue and goes well in a stainless steel mullen mouth but not so well in a cambridge mouth. Even something like a waterford that folds around the mouth might help, I'd try before you buy if you can!