Pelham bit - should i enquire

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emma.a

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I'm going to view a horse in a few days time as a potential part loan. Last horse i loaned was really naughty so when i asked this lady about her 16.2hh gelding i was straight up in saying i wanted a horse that i could just have fun with, hack out, maybe get some more lessons on to bring along my riding, and one that's nice natured (not going to kick me everytime i try to catch it in the field!). She hasn't said a word wrong so far, hence the scheduled meeting, however i realised that in the pictures he was wearing a pelham bit in the school. I know these bits are commonly used for strong horses particularly when hunting, but i didn't think they were often used in the school unless the horse was very very strong. Should i be worried about this? Is it likely that a horse that needs to wear a pelham is going to be as safe as a house and a happy hacker? Please forgive my lack of knowlegdge about bits, i've only ever ridden with a snaffle so i want to check i'm not letting myself in for a really head strong horse...

Thanks so much :)
 
I school one of mine in a pelham sometimes, mainly because she quite likes it. I school her in a snaffle too.

Not a strong horse to school, just a happier one. Can be strong to hack out though.
 
Mine came to me in a pelham and I still school in it quite frequently. They are great bits for horses who are good in the mouth but can become strong as you get to choose how much pressure you use. Plus we show a bit so need to keep him used to it.
I would rather a horse in pelham with 2 reins than one in a dutch gag on the bottom ring and a grackle but that's MHO.
 
Would definitly have a chat about it before you go, may be a simple explaination but better to ask than have a wasted journey! Hope it works out for you. :)
 
Definitely worth asking the question. Make sure you watch the owner ride first and remember you don't have to get on if you aren't happy on the day. Hope he's lovely though :)
 
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ah thanks so much guys, it's not completely put me off from what you've said but i've sent her a text just to ask, so hopefully it's something minor! :-) Cheers all!!
 
It would depend whether it is being used as a handbrake or for the finesse of a double bridle without the bother of 2 pieces.

A lot of classical people like and use them for the latter - it is not a strong bit unless the hands holding it are uneducated or using it for brakes.
 
I school in a pellham occasionally as he likes it and goes better in it and I have yet to find a snaffle he likes as much as his pellham. He is never strong in any bit if any thing he needs to take a stronger contact. He sjs, xc and hacks in a snaffle without being strong in the slightest so no it wouldn't put me off and unless your planning on doing dressage on the horse there's no reason it has to be in a snaffle.
 
Worth speaking to them and asking why before you go, but don't write it off just because of the pelham, really depends on their reasons.

I use a rubber mouth pelham for mine on the recommendation of my riding instructor (she was in a snaffle before this), she's not overly strong and I can ride her in a snaffle but she does go better in the pelham. Still able to put her back into the snaffle when we need to for dressage.
 
If it is not a show horse, and you are looking for a 'snaffle mouth in all disciplines', I would question it.

I have a strong cob who I hunt in a vulcanite pelham which he goes beautifully in and always feel in control. I also school him in it sometimes as do show him, and find he accepts it more readily than any other bit, but ultimately need it because he is too strong in a snaffle.
 
I have never ridden with a pelham, so i'm worried like you said that it'll be harsh on the horse in my 'uneducated hands'. How do you ride differently with the pelham to the snaffle? If you have any tips of what to do/not do, it'd be appreciated!
 
Roundings are the easier of the 2 options to ride in, but makes the bit less effective, which is a good sign as would indicate the horse is not a complete tank! I hunt my cob with roundings, but show with double reins (more because it is correct than I need them!).

With double reins, the top one is basically the snaffle rein, and the bottom is the stronger curb rein. Ideally you should ride mainily just using the snaffle rein, with the curb as and when needed.

With roundings less 'expertise' is needed as you have only one set of reins too deal with, and less risk of damaging it's mouth.

Sorry for the basic explantion, and am sure someone else can give a better one!
 
I thought roundings were more harsh because it's effective all the time.. with double reins could always knot the curb rein and just use snaffle rein unless needed i guess. Darn it, as much as i'm trying not to worry i am now!! And as i haven't ever ridden with one i think i'd be terrible and probably end up annoying or hurting the horse.

Argghh, why is it so difficult to find a nice, safe, easy going horse to loan in Bristol!!? Particularly through the winter, thought people would jump at the chance to be paid money to have someone else look after their horse part time :-( ah well. The search continues.
 
Just because it is in a pelham doesn't meant it is not safe and sensible - my cob is very safe just built like a 'brick **** house'!

If I was you just call and ask if this is his regular bit, and if so why, especially if it ticks all the other boxes.

Good luck!
 
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It shouldn't necessarily be a deal-breaker. My old boy is ridden in a rubber Pelham, with roundings. Yes, he can be strong out hacking - but not in his Pelham ;) he's safe as houses but just stubborn; I tried all sorts of bits, and found him responsive in this with little contact :) A friend rode him out with me one day & was surprised at how soft in the mouth he was, she assumed that because I rode in a Pelham he was hard-mouthed :confused:

To be honest, most horses aren't perfect, and if someone has the perfect horse they're unlikely to want to share him as they don't want to risk him being ruined, so if you're looking for a perfect horse to share, you'll probably be still looking this time next year ;)
 
NO!!!!!

You shouldnt use roundings, it turns the pelham into a harsh bit :mad: and that is where it gets its rep from. Its like driving with the handbrake on all the time, except the reflex point in the chin groove shouldnt be used as a handbrake, more like the rocket fuel button.
 
Some horses (particularly cobs) just go better in a curb action bit. A pelham with roundings is not much different from a kimblewick, for instance. I wouldn't right any horse off just because of the bit it is currently being ridden in.
 
I used to share a horse that was usually ridden in a Pelham, I didn't know how to use double reins so the owner said I could try in a snaffle if I wanted, and that's what I continued to use as it worked fine for us! She wasn't really a strong horse, more nappy than anything.
 
I found roundings harder than 2 reins!!! One of the horses I ride loves schooling in her pelham (although we've got her in a snaffle now as we're not sure what discipline we want to do) but she's not strong or silly 99% of the time although she does have her moments, like any horse.
My share horse is in a pelham too, but only because she snatches at trees on hacks and a snaffle doesn't help us with the control and steering much!
K x
 
Some horses (Cobs and other fleshy mouthed beasties) seem who don't particularly get on with traditional single joint snaffles seem to go well in pelhem's, I don't like roundings but it might be owners preference for simplicity not that the horse is a tank. So don't rule horse out without chatting to the owner.
 
The current Appy is much more comfortable with her palham than she is in the snaffle. No resistance to the pelham, giraffe in the snaffle. I do not like using roundings with the pelham and neither does the mare. Once you get used to the two reins it actually seems odd to ride with just one.
 
I have a gelding who is not strong in a snaffle - we sometimes school in a pelham, because it allows me to use more refined aids & gives a different feel. He quite likes it and takes his neck out well in it. I would perhaps play around with a double, but he has a small mouth and at the minute cannot afford to play around with two sets of bits trying to find the right ones - some of the more shaped ones which are potentially going to be better are a bit pricey for me :eek:
It wouldn't really worry me unless I rode the horse & it felt like it was going to tank off! :)
 
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