Pelham downgrade?!

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Jola

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Hi
I have a horse on loan who came in a Pelham. He is v v strong but I basically have no breaks with my reins really even in a Pelham. He does tend to respond to seat / words so he's not all bad!
My question is... He throws his head around a lot on hack (after about 20 mins of hacking, he is as good as gold in the school) could this be because of the harsh bit and would anyone recommend downgrading to something else? I'm worried if I downgrade it could go badly wrong!
Any advice appreciated! I feel I may be posting a bit more on here coming up with my new loan!
 
Sorry should have said, he's had teeth done and I don't think it's a pain thing since he is so good for 20 mins and then in the school.
 
My horse really needs a Pelham to stop but has a soft mouth and doesn't go well in one. Hence our compromise is a nathe Pelham, which is a very soft bendy sort of rubber, far softer and bendier than a Happy Mouth or a normal rubber pelham, and can be used without a curb or with a webbing strap with a lot of give in it. They are expensive though, over £100.
 
Thanks for that. I will take a look although might be too much for me to invest in a loan horse (only have him for a year)
 
Not 100% sure tbh - it just came with him. Its got a joint in the middle with a chain. Its all metal. I use single reins, I have never ridden with double reins although I think the concept is one is used as a snaffle and the other is used as breaks!!
Maybe thats worth a go? I try and have really soft hands with him but he usually upsets himself by throwing his head around and that must hurt him?
 
TBH it's probably worth investing in some lessons and getting someone experienced to advise you based on what they see. If that means them accompanying you on a hack, or hacking your horse out for you.

In terms of a bit downgrade then a kimblewick is the obvious choice. Perhaps consider combining that with a standing martingale short term.
 
Unfortunately thats my biggest issue. I'm at a yard where only one person does lessons and they wont allow us to bring anyone else in. The last time my lesson was so dreadful that I am convinced she was trying to get me to fall off (it was v windy and stormy, he wasn't that comfortable in walk but she was making me canter and all sorts).
It was stupidly out of control and I will not be having any more lessons as I value my health too much! (its not the first time and she's not rated by many people!)
I love the yard so wont be moving in the short term but do feel a little stuck!
 
Jola said:
Unfortunately thats my biggest issue. I'm at a yard where only one person does lessons and they wont allow us to bring anyone else in. The last time my lesson was so dreadful that I am convinced she was trying to get me to fall off (it was v windy and stormy, he wasn't that comfortable in walk but she was making me canter and all sorts).
It was stupidly out of control and I will not be having any more lessons as I value my health too much! (its not the first time and she's not rated by many people!)
I love the yard so wont be moving in the short term but do feel a little stuck!
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Is the owner of this horse not concerned at the current situation?
You come across reasonably inexperienced and in need of help yet you are in the position whereby you cannot get any help?

Is there anywhere external you can hack to to get lessons off site?
 
I've only ever ridden in snaffles (lucky I guess) so am clueless with bits!
Good idea about hacking to a lesson tho - why didn't I think of that! Thanks I will take a look at a couple of other schools. Its just annoying because he is so good 70% of the time!
 
Do you have transport for him? I'd suggest surfing the net for a reputable local instructor you can take him to. There might not be one within hacking distance and if he's throwing his head about an getting worked up it might not be a good idea to hack too far with him.
 
The other option I guess is to ask another instructor to come see you and tell the current instructor at the yard it's just a mate helping you out. Ok it's a bit of a porky but your safety and happiness is more important than the yards instructor losin out on making a few quid from giving you a bad lesson
 
Thanks both. It looks to me to be a jointed Tom Thumb Pelham. I like the idea of having a 'friend' to come up and give pointers!
 
s4sugar said:
Can you not borrow a few different bits to try?

Can you identify the bit you are using from here http://www.doversaddlery.com/horse-bits/c/3401/filter/100000007570eq100000008834/ and where are you attaching teh rein? Are you using a curb chain?

What is your horse actually doing? -mouth open, head up or down twisting away or what?
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He is twisting his head round and then down on the floor. He can't raise it too much as he has a martingale, honestly I've never seen a horse with so much stuff! I've tried taking the martingale and flash off, he wasn't worse but wasn't any better either. Yep got the chain and everything
 
Firstly, it could be worth talking to the owner to see if they have any advice. Secondly, what about trying a straight bar pelham? One of mine goes best in either that or, for dressage, a straight bar rubber snaffle! (The latter isn't enough to hold her out hacking, sadly). She head shakes horribly in anything with a joint. Some don't like the nutcracker action. If you can find the right person to teach you, it might also be worth learning to use double reins.
 
wyrdsister said:
Firstly, it could be worth talking to the owner to see if they have any advice. Secondly, what about trying a straight bar pelham? One of mine goes best in either that or, for dressage, a straight bar rubber snaffle! (The latter isn't enough to hold her out hacking, sadly). She head shakes horribly in anything with a joint. Some don't like the nutcracker action. If you can find the right person to teach you, it might also be worth learning to use double reins.
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Thanks for the advice. I think the owner has the same issue but she lets him get away with all sorts... Walking off when being tacked up, not standing when mounting etc! I think I might know someone at the yard who uses double reins so I might have a word.
 
A peham and flash don't work together. Where are you attaching the rein?
Try taking off the chain, loosening the flash a hols and try with the rein on the upper ring -ie a hanging cheek jointed snaffel.

Ideally you need to try different mouthpieces as few horses go well in jointed pelhams as the signals get mixed.
 
If I was you, I would ride in the Pelham with double reins for a bit before considering anything else.The action of the Pelham is a lot more refined (and so kinder) when ridden with two reins and so a lot of horses go better with it like this and have more respect for it. This will mean you can ride mostly on the top rein (which will act like a snaffle) and then use the curb rein as and when necessary as a reminder. Good luck :)
 
You say he chucks his head around on a hack... could he be headshaking? Have you tried a nose net? Another helpful tip to control headshaking is to put 2 tbsp of table salt in every feed, I have read - though never tried it myself.

Sorry cant offer any advice on the bit, sounds like would be really helpful to have someone experienced look at you both. Good luck .
 
Thanks everyone. Job of the day, find someone to show me how to ride in double reins! My instructor told me to use the flash and the pelham together but I think he is worse with it?! I will take the flash off tonight and see what happens.
 
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