Pelham mouth pieces? Which one to choose!

[Rubbishrider124]

Hello all!
I have a very strong 13hh cob which I show, I’m looking to put him in a Pelham after a few disastrous shows in a snaffle when he’s orginarily ridden in a French link Dutch gag. I’m just wondering what mouth pieces would everyone recommend before I buy as it’s an absolute minefield to me, I would buy the French link again as he does get on with that however they’re not easy to find
Many thanks!

 

[Wizpopagain]

Hi - if he likes the French link mouthpiece, why not try a Pelham with either a French Link or double jointed lozenge mouthpiece to start with?

 

[rabatsa]

You lose the true curb action when the bit is jointed.

I would try a plain mullen mouth, which gives tongue room.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

You lose the true curb action when the bit is jointed.

I would try a plain mullen mouth, which gives tongue room.

Or perhaps a Hartwell Pelham if pony needs more tongue relief.

 

[Exasperated]

You lose the true curb action when the bit is jointed.

I would try a plain mullen mouth, which gives tongue room.

Yes, illogical to fit something with curb and poll leverage to a jointed bit!
However, a straight Mullen is exactly that, no accommodation for bars, rounded shape of tongue etc, whereas a slight forward curve on the mouthpiece would be better in this respect. It used to be called ‘half moon’ -but be careful, because sometimes tack catalogues (wrongly) use that same term for bits with an upwards port, a hump of steel across the top of the mouthpiece.
Hartwell mouths may have too high an upward curve for the average cob, which has often a low roof to its mouth, so make sure any noseband is very loose.
Sam Marsh Pelhams are very broad , flattish mouthpieces, the extent of rotation and curb action limited by a metal stop, generally kind because the pressure is so well dispersed, and well respected due to the weight.
Mouthpieces additionally covered in rubber will be thicker than straight steel, and tend to need re-rubbering over time.

 

[HBB]

A lot of native ponies I know go well in the Expert Bits Comfy Barrel Pelham, it's worth a look and they're not too expensive either.

 

[rabatsa]

Yes, illogical to fit something with curb and poll leverage to a jointed bit!
However, a straight Mullen is exactly that, no accommodation for bars, rounded shape of tongue etc, whereas a slight forward curve on the mouthpiece would be better in this respect. It used to be called ‘half moon’ -but be careful, because sometimes tack catalogues (wrongly) use that same term for bits with an upwards port, a hump of steel across the top of the mouthpiece.
Hartwell mouths may have too high an upward curve for the average cob, which has often a low roof to its mouth, so make sure any noseband is very loose.
Sam Marsh Pelhams are very broad , flattish mouthpieces, the extent of rotation and curb action limited by a metal stop, generally kind because the pressure is so well dispersed, and well respected due to the weight.
Mouthpieces additionally covered in rubber will be thicker than straight steel, and tend to need re-rubbering over time.

A mullen mouthpiece is NOT a straight bar, it is a curved bar. A half moon mouthpiece has an upward curve.

 

[Rubbishrider124]

Thanks for all your help! I’m going to get him this bit (see below) hope this is the right one!

 

[Barklands]

A normal pelham isn't really correct for showing (it obviously depends what your aspirations are) therefore, for those who aren't using double bridles who are into showing at a reasonable level, the preference is a show pelham with the mouth piece of your choosing. They give the look of a weymouth and bridoon but are all one bit like a normal pelham.

People villainise riding in double bridles these days but actually, in my experience you are competent with them they can be very useful as if you have a strong horse as you can ride with the bridoon when they are lighter but make use of the curb rein when the horse is stronger, then reward again with the softer bit once they soften. The issue is a lot of people don't do this these days and water ski of the curb rein instead *cough modern dressage cough*

Another option is a wilkie - it is still a snaffle but has a little poll pressure

 

[Exasperated]

A mullen mouthpiece is NOT a straight bar, it is a curved bar. A half moon mouthpiece has an upward curve.

Depending which sales site possibly, and probably newer manufacturers / retailers label innovatively. However, horse mouthpieces have been around a long time.
The upward curve / hump on a mouthpiece is a port, and some very high.
The forward curve is half moon.
As stated, a straight Mullen is straight across, unlikely to be what OP needs, so hinted she consider that, whereas the forward curve is more accommodating. A Scamperdale Pelham mouthpiece is even more so, re the bars of the mouth.
Still got comprehensive lorinery catalogues of Matthew Harvey, Abbey and others, from having Buxtons, Liverpools and riding Pelhams made up with rubber covered half moons for pair of Sec D entires (do not want to be jabbing them in the roofs of their mouths!), the conversations to distinguish and ensure correct spec, even got the bits.
For interest: classic writers Elwyn Hartley Edwards and RS. Summerhays confirm the half moon issue, altho a quick look at on line stockists show confusion with a port - so definitely check what you want to buy rather than what the retailer may be labelling it as.

 

[Exasperated]

A normal pelham isn't really correct for showing (it obviously depends what your aspirations are) therefore, for those who aren't using double bridles who are into showing at a reasonable level, the preference is a show pelham with the mouth piece of your choosing. They give the look of a weymouth and bridoon but are all one bit like a normal pelham.

People villainise riding in double bridles these days but actually, in my experience you are competent with them they can be very useful as if you have a strong horse as you can ride with the bridoon when they are lighter but make use of the curb rein when the horse is stronger, then reward again with the softer bit once they soften. The issue is a lot of people don't do this these days and water ski of the curb rein instead *cough modern dressage cough*

Another option is a wilkie - it is still a snaffle but has a little poll pressure

Yep, a long cheek Rugby, onto which you could attach a bridoon sliphead for ‘the look’, answers well.

 

[Wizpopagain]

Hi - if he likes the French link mouthpiece, why not try a Pelham with either a French Link or double jointed lozenge mouthpiece to start with?

Well, I actually went against my own beliefs when I posted this TBH. I had some misguided hope that by putting same mouthpiece on my sensitive cob, I would ease the transition to a Pelham. But no. I’m now back to the Mullen mouth that I’ve always used before.