Pelham set up just doesn't seem right...

[Love]

Hi everyone,

Ok, I'll say this first, I haven't had much experience at all with Pelham bits so obviously I am open to being corrected, and the purpose of this post is simply to learn more about them.

The other day whilst visiting my old yard one of the liveries had her pony in a straight bar Pelham, with one set of reins on the curb ring, no curb chain and a flash noseband. Like I said I am open to correction but it just didn't seem right to me...? I know the girl and the pony and neither are very experienced.

Would love to hear your views
Thanks

 

[MissMistletoe]

With no curb chain and a single rein on the curb, Im guessing that the action is very similar to a 3 ring gag ridden with a single rein on the bottom ring.

Lots of poll pressure with no relief,particulary with the added flash.

 

[Polotash]

Well it's not the correct use of a pelham, but it will offer A biting option, which may or may not be what she was after.

Without a curb chain you will just get the tilting action of the bit (I won't say poll pressure as there is so much disagreement on this!). There will be no pressue under the chin, which perhaps he didn't like so she took it off.

Having only one rein makes it less refined, so she'll ONLY get the tilting action and not the snaffle action. More normal would be to use roundings if she can't cope with two reins.

I wouldn't use a flash with a pelham, but again, perhaps she did it because he opens his mouth and she has set it up so it doesn't interfere with the bit. If she isn't experienced, I would suspect it's more likely her bridle came with a flash and she hasn't taken it off... ;0)

If she has just set it up like this randomly I would suggest to her a pair of roundings and taking the flash off. If she doesn't need the curb chain then no harm in going without it.

 

[*hic*]

So if you're not very experienced with them are you sure it was actually a pelham or one of the bits that looks at first glance like a pelham but is designed to be used as a Western bit?

Action of a pelham used as you state is as MM says above.

 

[TigerTail]

No its not right and should be removed immediately

She is basically using a leverage bit atm, as it has no curb action and shes obviously not using double reins, rather more a handbrake rein.

The flash to me is always over kill, as if you need such a gadget the horse isnt relaxing its tongue and its jaw. The tongue is connected all down the throat and to the sternum so tightness in there is going to effect everything you do.

The pelham should always be used with two reins, not roundings else you negate the correct action of the bit and are left with a really harsh snaffle. The curb is there for refinement - not as a handbrake with a strong horse - and an elastic curb is far kinder than a chain.

 

[Polotash]

The pelham should always be used with two reins, not roundings else you negate the correct action of the bit and are left with a really harsh snaffle. The curb is there for refinement - not as a handbrake with a strong horse - and an elastic curb is far kinder than a chain.

I agree with you as an experinced adult, but a lot of kids cobby ponies are strong and go very well in a pelham, if their child riders are going to get in a tangle with two reins they are best off using roundings until they have the hands to manage double reins.

 

[Littlelegs]

As said, pelhams should be used with two reins. The kid argument doesn't wash with me either. Imo if they aren't up to holding two reins, they aren't up to using a bit like a pelham. It's not exactly difficult to not get in a tangle.

 

[TigerTail]

As said, pelhams should be used with two reins. The kid argument doesn't wash with me either. Imo if they aren't up to holding two reins, they aren't up to using a bit like a pelham. It's not exactly difficult to not get in a tangle.

That x 100

The pelham and double bridles were traditionally only used by the gentry who had well educated hands, the snaffle by grooms and staff who wernt so well taught. Things seem to have got muddled around now

 

[Love]

Thanks for your replies, they are really interesting.

Dee O'Dorant - I'm sure it's a Pelham, I saw it before the pony was tacked up and although not experienced have used them before with my instructor