Pelham bit, good or bad?

[jnorman]

Hi, I have a lovely tb gelding that I hunted with a bit this season but he was too forward going for me to control properly and someone has suggested trying him in Vulcanite Pelham bit. I have heard that it is very strong and quite cruel but have also heard that it is fine to use for things like hunting where you need a lot of control. Does anyone have any suggestions for if I should use it or maybe what to use instead? Thanks

 

[Meowy Catkin]

A pelham is not a cruel bit per se. They suit come horses very well and in those cases mean that you can use far gentler rein aids, which is nicer for the horse.

Any bit can be an instrument of torture when rough hands are on the other end of the reins.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Hi, I have a lovely tb gelding that I hunted with a bit this season but he was too forward going for me to control properly and someone has suggested trying him in Vulcanite Pelham bit. I have heard that it is very strong and quite cruel but have also heard that it is fine to use for things like hunting where you need a lot of control. Does anyone have any suggestions for if I should use it or maybe what to use instead? Thanks

I have one pelhams now not 2 one is a nice lozenge one, the bit is only as harsh as the hands that are at the other end.

 

[HorseMad91]

I ride my mare in a jointed Pelham with double reins and I'm forever getting people saying isn't it a harsh bit but like everyone else said it is only as harsh as your hands are. My mare is very soft mouthed and nearly blind so the Pelham with double reins let's me communicate very effectively with her. See if a friend has one you can borrow or hire one from the bit bank see how your horse feels in one

 

[pennyturner]

The people who say Pelhams are cruel are outnumbered by the horses that go well in them. Personally, I'd go with the horse's opinion - nothing wrong with a Pelham or Kimblewick

 

[Damnation]

Nothing wrong with choosing a bit that suits your horse.

I would rather ride on the weight of the reins with a soft relaxed horse in a Pelham than hauling about a horse in a snaffle who is dislocating my shoulders!

Look up Heather Moffatt (Enlightened Equitation) on Facebook. She is an amazing, soft and gentle rider, all of her horses are ridden in Pelhams/double bridles and they are soft, happy and rather well schooled!

ETA: If you do go for something that needs double reins then have a few lessons to learn how to ride with them or it can feel a bit like knitting! A Pelham can be ridden with Roundings but with double reins you have more control over when the curb rein actually comes into play

 

[EQUIDAE]

A good way to use a pelham if you aren't confident with two reins is to ride off the snaffle and tie a knot in the curb rein, and leave it lying on the neck. If you need more breaks it is easily accessible.

 

[LouisCat]

Our TB is very soft mouthed but can get strong. He goes beautifully in a pelham with 2 reins.
I'd much rather have a slightly stronger bit than be hauling him around in a snaffle.

Also he only has a little mouth so a metal straight bar is much better for him than a vulcanite

 

[Tapir]

My little cob mare is always hacked in a hard rubber pelham - 95% of the time I don't use the curb, but it helps pick her up off her forehand a little and just gives me a bit of extra braking power on the odd occasion that it's needed.

 

[jnorman]

Thank you so much everyone that replied ☺I am going to try him in a Pelham for a few days and see how it goes and hopefully will have him hunting again next season!