Mullen mouth pelham - can bits really make all the difference?!

[Bernster]

Loath as I am to start another thread on bits...!

Can't believe a bit can make all the difference - anyone else had similar experiences? Or words of caution, as I wonder if we really can keep this up?!

My instructor got me to ride in a metal mullen mouth pelham, curb, using two reins. Wow. After about 30 seconds of him working out what I was asking, I had the softest, lightest horse in my hands! Jaw unfixed itself, neck came round and soft, back went up and he started to remember he had a back end. I was really surprised at the difference it made.

I know that proper schooling/riding is the answer and I wouldn't normally change bits and expect such a difference but this one seemed to work a treat. Can this be right?!

 

[blood_magik]

I find the same happens with my boy because of the poll pressure and the curb rein. I have a rubber mouthpiece on mine.

My instructor only lets me use my pelham for jumping and showing
For flatwork I stick to a loose-ring with a french link

 

[Snowysadude]

The poll pressure makes mine bronk but yes I think they can make a massive difference. Only problem is with dressage you need a snaffle for the lower levels so schooling is ideal. As far as words of caution - they will still learn to evade (bronking in my case) eventually and I personally found it make him even worse to ride in the snaffle!

 

[Bernster]

Ooh interesting. Only using it for schooling and for a few weeks, so he gets used to working properly and I get used to the feel of having a light contact. Then am gonna see how he goes in the snaffle.

Don't need it for brakes (which is why I would never have thought to try it).

The ref to broncing made me go a bit EEEP !! But instructor said she thought he'd go well in this and he certainly isn't the type to go up or bronc. She did say some horses do object and I need to ride very lightly, but if he does anything it will probably be to stop, cos that's what he does when he doesn't understand what I want him to do. And at xc fences that he doesn't like the look of

 

[Goldenstar]

it's a bit that I have used on several hunters that where too strong when excited but had senestive mouths sometimes you just have to be with what works for a while when you do a lot with hunters you learn this as all people want is there horse happy but controllable at the hounds one horse I had went best in a kimbelwick I hate kimbelwicks there action is inconsistent but there was no doult this horse went best in it I grimaced every time I put it on but it worked.
Waterfords are another bit that I hate the thought of but there is no doult that many horses go well in them.
I would use the Pelham for a while but keep stopping back to the snaffle for a try.