Pelhams - which mouthpiece?

[LizScott]

I'm planning on buying a pelham for my mare who is coming back into work and needs lots and lots of hacking - she's schooled in a loose ring french link and sj in a waterford loose ring and I'm happy with both of those but feel like I need more breaks when hacking as she is a BIG strong girl and has a tendency to turn and run if somethings spooks her ha ha!

Should I try a single jointed pelham to start with - is it just trial and error? (She hates dutch gags before anyone suggests one lol!)

 

[golddustsara]

I'm afraid its horses for courses so you may have to try a few mouthpieces to find which one suits - or the first one may suit. I would be inclined to try a slightly ported or vulcanite pelham first as a single jointed one imho can be a little harsh.

 

[katie_and_toto]

I wouldn't get a single jointed pelham in case it pinches her tongue. I would try a lozenge or a slightly ported mouthpiece

 

[CastleMouse]

I use a mullen mouth pelham on my very strong horse when hunting, and I have fairly good brakes

 

[muddy boots]

I went to a talk on bits once and was told then that jointed pelhams lose the proper pelham action on the curb and poll so shouldn't be used, port or vulcanite were recommended. It seemed to make sense at the time. Person giving talk was Ginny Oakley.