I can't see a problem with this... Can you?

[Queenbee]

For a while now I've been considering trying Ben in a straight bar, basically he's been in a double jointed loose ring bit with a lozenge since backing but it just doesn't seem the bit for him, he's easily distracted and plays around with it and chomps on it more as an avoidance... My gut just says it's not the best bit for him. Before you ask, his teeth are fine, he's due the dentist in January but when he had them done in August it made no difference to his behaviour. So, yo had a root around and found a few bits, the most suitable is a Pelham, now I know he responds well to poll pressure, but I just want to test the effectiveness of the straight bar. I'm thinking it would be ok (even though it's not the original design) to just attach the top rein for a trial. I'm perfectly happy and competent riding with two reins but only want to test the effectiveness of the bar in this case?

Am I overlooking something or am I right that this would be ok?

 

[TuscanBunnyGirl]

puzzle hates a bit with a link so tried him in a single joint snaffle and he's been an angel since
I wouldn't want to put puzzly in a pelham but thats because we potter around in dressage occasionally and I like to keep things as simple as pos Hope you're both good!

 

[lhotse]

A lot of horses don't like a jointed bit, my old mare hated them. I used to ride her in a pelham as she was quite strong but changed to a kimblewick which she much preferred. Of course, there is the added element of the curb chain, which should always be used with a pelham with two reins or kimblewick to avoid excessive poll pressure. However, if you are just using the top ring on the pelham, I can't see a problem with not using the chain as it would in effect be like a hanging snaffle.

 

[TandD]

I tried this...I have a happy mouth straight bar in my boy but wanted to try a straight bar with a 'hanging cheek' effect so used my simple Mullen mouth Pelham with all bits detached.
To be honest it was pretty awful and I found that the rest of the bit just got in the way, plus it was really unstable in the mouth....gave up and put the other rein back on (knotted up) and the leather curb chain 'catcher'..tried again and it was a bit better. My Pelham does have very long shanks though....

However bit didn't suit horse so went back to plastic snaffle........ Hanging cheek effect is very different from when you have 2 reins!

 

[AdorableAlice]

My mare came with one of those expensive shaped snaffle bits. She held onto one side of it and inverted as soon as a contact was asked for. I went back to basics and put her into a metal straight bar eggbutt. She improved but was not truly happy so I tried a loose ring happy mouth straight bar snaffle which she loves. She mastered coming up through her shoulder and maintaining a shape. She uses the inverted habit as an evasion and that combined with a very soft mouth makes her tricky to ride at times. However the happy mouth has helped her realise she can take a contact and go forward.

She is young and had wolf teeth which were removed.

 

[YorksG]

A lot of horses don't like a jointed bit, my old mare hated them. I used to ride her in a pelham as she was quite strong but changed to a kimblewick which she much preferred. Of course, there is the added element of the curb chain, which should always be used with a pelham with two reins or kimblewick to avoid excessive poll pressure. However, if you are just using the top ring on the pelham, I can't see a problem with not using the chain as it would in effect be like a hanging snaffle.

Agree with this, with only one rein it is just a straight bar hanging cheek, can't see a problem.

 

[Queenbee]

puzzle hates a bit with a link so tried him in a single joint snaffle and he's been an angel since
I wouldn't want to put puzzly in a pelham but thats because we potter around in dressage occasionally and I like to keep things as simple as pos Hope you're both good!

See this is just a test, he went in a jointed snaffle quite nicely at royal Cornwall in June, but I'm just having a play as I don't want to buy a straight bar before checking how he goes in it. If I buy something for everyday, it won't be a Pelham.

A lot of horses don't like a jointed bit, my old mare hated them. I used to ride her in a pelham as she was quite strong but changed to a kimblewick which she much preferred. Of course, there is the added element of the curb chain, which should always be used with a pelham with two reins or kimblewick to avoid excessive poll pressure. However, if you are just using the top ring on the pelham, I can't see a problem with not using the chain as it would in effect be like a hanging snaffle.

Yo had a rubber bit, bit with keys, kimblewick and Pelham, I thought he'd prat around with the keys, chew the rubber, so it was a choice between the kimblewick or the Pelham, he does respond well to poll pressure so my purchase if he goes well would probably be a straight bar hanging cheek anyway, also the Pelham is without a chain so don't have to worry about that

I tried this...I have a happy mouth straight bar in my boy but wanted to try a straight bar with a 'hanging cheek' effect so used my simple Mullen mouth Pelham with all bits detached.
To be honest it was pretty awful and I found that the rest of the bit just got in the way, plus it was really unstable in the mouth....gave up and put the other rein back on (knotted up) and the leather curb chain 'catcher'..tried again and it was a bit better. My Pelham does have very long shanks though....

However bit didn't suit horse so went back to plastic snaffle........ Hanging cheek effect is very different from when you have 2 reins!

Thanks for this, sadly I think he'd try and chew any bit so happy mouths are probably a no no, I'll have a try and see how he goes in it, if he is ok I will pop out next week and get something more suitable.

My mare came with one of those expensive shaped snaffle bits. She held onto one side of it and inverted as soon as a contact was asked for. I went back to basics and put her into a metal straight bar eggbutt. She improved but was not truly happy so I tried a loose ring happy mouth straight bar snaffle which she loves. She mastered coming up through her shoulder and maintaining a shape. She uses the inverted habit as an evasion and that combined with a very soft mouth makes her tricky to ride at times. However the happy mouth has helped her realise she can take a contact and go forward.

She is young and had wolf teeth which were removed.

Sadly this is a bit that I have had for years, it was the very best bit for my mare and she went amazingly well in it, but he doesn't! Ben has already had his wolf teeth out, he rode incredibly well for a baby for the first few months, but then, just started looking for distractions it's like he enjoys playing with it with his tongue and chomping on it... I mean that's far more fun than actual work! He used to work nicely within about five minutes, but now it takes about 20 mins to get him to be responsive.... Strong minded stubborn ass that he is!!!

 

[mynutmeg]

No problem with trying a pelham like that to see how he gets on with a mullen mouth. My mare will not accept a double joint and is alright in a single joint but I'm uncomfortable with those, she likes a thin mullen mouth - has space for her tongue (big tongue, small mouth).

 

[p87]

I think you need to fiddle around a bit and work out what's best for you both! My horse was in a single jointed snaffle for years (I bought him in January this year) and it was clear from both looking at him and riding him that he wasn't comfortable with it. As soon as I bought him I switched him to a double jointed snaffle and the difference is amazing, he is much more relaxed, rounded and doesn't hollow as soon as you put the slightest pressure on the reins. Poor soul for years was running around with his head up in the air trying to tell people he wasn't comfortable, and the rider responded by putting more pressure on his mouth to try and yank his head down.

I was all set for a long slog of trying a million bits to see what suited but fortunately my first choice was a hit!

Edited to add: we hack out in a kimblewick and martingale as he is very spooky, but in the school a double jointed snaffle and a drop noseband is all we use