Pelham alternative

[Katemac2005]

My 12 year old daughter is about to start some online dressage competitions with her pony. He is 25 years young 14.3hh and has done everything from showing to racing and showjumping to pony club games. He is currently ridden in a pelham and goes fantastic, unfortunately she isn't able to compete with this bit. I was thinking of a hanging cheek with perhaps a drop noseband instead, any suggestions? Basically he's ridden in a pelham because that's the bit he's happy with and everything else we've tried caused him to chuck his head about (no teeth issues and fitted professionally).

 

[MereChristmas]

I have no suggestions re which bit. However if the present bit, the pelham, was fitted by a professional could you not ask them which bit the pony would be happiest in that is dressage legal.

 

[scruffyponies]

I would use a cambridge mouth snaffle. He should accept that, as the mouthpiece is the same as the pelham, but with no curb action.

 

[shortstuff99]

Depending on the online platform you are using, some have 'any tack' classes where you can use a Pelham. Might be worth it to start with?

 

[PapaverFollis]

A mullen mouth hanging cheek with a drop noseband. Granny horse was happiest in a Pelham but would go well in that instead. The drop noseband gave the bit the stability in the mouth she preferred and, I am led to believe but not 100% sure, gives a little tickle in the curb groove too? Either way it did the job.

 

[conniegirl]

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[Annagain]

A mullen mouth hanging cheek with a drop noseband. Granny horse was happiest in a Pelham but would go well in that instead. The drop noseband gave the bit the stability in the mouth she preferred and, I am led to believe but not 100% sure, gives a little tickle in the curb groove too? Either way it did the job.

Agree with the mullen mouth hanging cheek . My boy who went well in a Pelham would also go well in this bit. I rode him in a micklem bridle - so a drop noseband of sorts - but the difference the micklem made to him was huge. I thought they were just a gimmick before a friend made me try hers on him and I couldn't believe the change in him. Might be worth a try too?

 

[Rosie'smum]

So like yours my horse goes really well in a mullen mouth pelham and have struggled to find anything that is dressage legal that she will accept. Tried mullen hanging cheek etc but the one thing that i have found, that had given me the same feeling as a pelham is a stubben easy control bit. It is a lozenge until they go against the hands and it locks up to a mullen. Best thing is its dressage legal!