**pelham advice PLEASE**

1

1986

Member
Joined
15 June 2009
Messages
26
Visit site
Hi I need some advice from you wiser people out there!

I am loaning a pony and his owner has told me that he has a pelham when hacking out as he can get a little head strong on the return.

I know little about pelhams as have only really dealt with snaffles in the past. I have been told by a friend that pelhams are a very strong bit and not very "friendly." Is this true?

I am now slightly worried that this lovely pony that is coming to me is going to bomb off wiv me (I am only a novice rider who can lack confidence until i get to know what I am riding!) and just wanted a bit more knowledge about this bit! Thank you for your help guys!! x
 
its only harsh if used incorectly, if u have soft hand it can be the same as any other bit, and it also depends on how long the shanks are as to how much poll pressure it has. you will have a curb chain on the back that stops the shanks from going past 45 degrees.
 
You ride with two reins so it only becomes harsh if you have to use the bottom rein otherwise its just like a snaffle
 
You can ride a pelham off the snaffle rein for 90% of a ride, the curb is just there for extra when you need it. Providing the horse has actually been ridden properly this former should be the case, otherwise yes you may have a strong pony on your hands.

My horse will go into a pelham for hunting, its far kinder for me to ask once with the curb rein, than to be hauling him constantly with his normal snaffle because he wont stop. I like the pelham (ridden with two reins obv) as it gives you options, most bits are only one option.

Any bit is only as severe as the riders hands, the old saying is true.
 
tbh a jointed pelham is not very strong, as when used with roundings is not strong.

A bit is only as strong as the hands using it!

a pelham isnt a strong bit imo
smile.gif
 
I would question it a bit more if hes ridden with roundings, if its off two reins then i personally wouldnt worry too much providing as said above hes been ridden in the pelham correctly in the past
 
ok hopefully not being dumb!!! His bridal only has 1 rein so i am assuming the leather straps are roundings??!! Is this not good then? Sorry about my lack of knowledge! x
 
Roundings reduce the subletly that you can use the bit with. When you have two reins you can choose how much pressure to exert on which part of the bit. With roundings you can't choose to not use the curb.

I'd get an instructor or knowledgeable person to teach you how to use double reins and use those instead.
 
Yes sounds like he is being ridden with roundings. This means where as a pelham has two choices, now this bit only has one choice, its taken away the option.
 
[ QUOTE ]
With roundings you can't choose to not use the curb.

[/ QUOTE ]

My share horse wears a happy mouth pelham with roundings, but doesn't wear the curb.
 
hmmmm so i just dont know what to do now?? Should I just see how we get on before i make any changes??!! He seemed fine when i rode him she just said that he prefers a longer rain. Now I realise why! x
 
A curb chain stops the shanks of the pelham rotating too far, thus putting pressure on the poll.

I'd fit an elastic or leather curb to prevent the above if the horse wasn't keen on a curb chain.
 
I prefer to ride everything in a snaffle
tongue.gif


But if I have a horse with a pelham, it usually means that it would be very strong
tongue.gif
So therefore i would rather have instant power than delayed with 2 reins, so i use roundings to make sure i can use both.
Plus it stops overuse of the curb, which imo is worse than the action of the roundings.

Plus I was taught old-school, and am a pony clubber
tongue.gif


I usually try other bits instead of the pelham, such as a mcguinness or a waterford, but usually never a dutch gag (bubble bit) as i find horses hate them
tongue.gif


ramblings of a mad woman, but hey ho!
tongue.gif
 
Bear only wears one for showing/XC showing I use 2 reins but XC I dont want to be faffing about with 2 reins
laugh.gif

But everything else inc hunting he's snaffle mouthed!
 
[ QUOTE ]
You mean he doesn't wear the curb chain, you will still be using the curb action.

[/ QUOTE ]

Whoops yeah that's what i mean, missed a word off end!
crazy.gif
 
A pelham works on several parts of a horse's head, depending on which rein is applied. The mouthpiece acts when either the snaffle or curb rein is applied and puts pressure on the bars, tongue, and lips of the horse. The curb chain and design of the mouthpiece can alter the degree of pressure placed on the horse's mouth. The roof of the mouth is affected if the bit mouthpiece of the pelham has a high port or if it is jointed. Pressure on the poll occurs when the curb rein is engaged, and pressure is directly related to the length of the upper shank (purchase arm) in relation to the lower shank (lever arm). All pelhams apply some pressure on the poll. Pressure is applied to the chin groove by the curb chain when the curb rein is used. Direct rein pressure from the snaffle rein may put some pressure on the sides of the horse's mouth, depending on the specific bit design.

The curb chain applies pressure to the groove under a horse's chin. It amplifies the pressure on the bars of the horse's mouth, because when it tightens it acts as a fulcrum.

Adjusted correctly, the chain links lie flat and hang loose below the chin groove, coming into action against the jaw only when the shanks have rotated due to rein pressure. The point at which the curb chain engages varies with the individual needs of the horse, but contact at 45 degrees of shank rotation is a common default adjustment
any bit can be severe
if its the first time using then use pelham roundings which will only need one rein and less confusing for the less experience rider
these are pelham roundings www.uksaddlery.com/item1481.htm
 
A very valid argument OM. I have only ever been taught to use a pelham with two reins, so I am quite happy using them even in a hunting or XC situation, but you are very right the roundings while stopping most use of the snaffle also stop most use of the curb, but then why not use a different bit if you aren't going to use the bit properly and choose as you say something like a waterford?

Again, even with roundings, bit is only as harsh as rider.
 
ive never had any luck in stopping poppy in any other bit, but i only pull on her when i have to the rest of the time she is on a loose rein, is this ok??

i would rather be able to stop her straight away than have to sit yanking on her mouth in a deperate bid to stop lol!!
 
I find most horses lean in a pelham as well, just that they are able to grab it and take hold.

I would use a pelham if nessacary, but i find roundings do the job very well
smile.gif
 
Thanks for all your help i was just a bit worried but ill see how we get on hopefully all will b ok and he wont knock my confidence and we will have fun! x
 
I would say that as the OP has already said she is a novice that leaving the ponies bridle as it is is the best option.

Riding in double reins take a while to perfect - and would give a novice something else to worry about.
Even pros get double reins wrong sometimes - anybody see Robert Smith on Talan yesterday? - he got the bottom rein trapped under his boot....

I would much rather have a stronger bit which takes one pull to stop then having to haul on a horses mouth in something milder like a snaffle and in this case, if the pony is happy in it and used to it then why change it?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top