Pelhams!!!!!

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Hi everyone, I'm after some advice again please. I've been doing some ridden showing with my arab and he is loving it. Each time he puts on more of a performance. We have been told next year if he keeps going as he is we should try county. Altho each time he is getting more and more keen with every outing, he is still responsive and listens but I think he thinks he now knows his job and doesn't need me. I have only ever in my life ridden in a French link snaffle and the thought of changing is scary, but I think I may need a little bit more control at bigger shows. I know as people move up they also tend to change to a double bridle, I've read that a pelham is better for an Arab as they have small mouths. What is the kindest pelham to use and the harshest? I know nothing about pelhams but thinking I should get one to try soon incase we do move ranks. And you can get a thing so you can just use one rein is this accepted in showing? And what difference does it make???? Sorry for the million questions and pure blindness in bits ......
 
Good morning said:
Hi everyone, I'm after some advice again please. I've been doing some ridden showing with my arab and he is loving it. Each time he puts on more of a performance. We have been told next year if he keeps going as he is we should try county. Altho each time he is getting more and more keen with every outing, he is still responsive and listens but I think he thinks he now knows his job and doesn't need me. I have only ever in my life ridden in a French link snaffle and the thought of changing is scary, but I think I may need a little bit more control at bigger shows. I know as people move up they also tend to change to a double bridle, I've read that a pelham is better for an Arab as they have small mouths. What is the kindest pelham to use and the harshest? I know nothing about pelhams but thinking I should get one to try soon incase we do move ranks. And you can get a thing so you can just use one rein is this accepted in showing? And what difference does it make???? Sorry for the million questions and pure blindness in bits ......
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A show pelham is very neat and acceptable, you really should not be using split reins or roundings on an Arab though, it should be double reins with a pelham for showing.
 
I can't stand roundings personally, the whole point of the double reins is to allow you to have different aspects of the bits at work when needed and roundings just defeat the object. Plus they do look scruffy.

Riding in two reins isn't that difficult once you've got the hang of it and you're used to it so just give it a try over winter! You'll be fine by the time the showing season comes round again - I feel really odd riding with one rein nowadays.

As for which pelham, not sure where you're located but can you get a bitting specialist out?
 
Two reins is a must for showing never rounding, I show both of my Arabs in a low port myler Pelham and they both go lovely in it, both have very soft sensitive mouths one of my geldings can be fussy with a lot of bits but accepted the myler straight away, I ride him in a Cambridge snaffle for everyday so I think he would be happy in a normal ported Pelham anyway but the myler is much thinner, I only have the odd schooling session in the Pelham once they are used to it there is no need to keep using it.

Have you used a Pelham before?
 
Okay so roundings are out. I'm in Colchester I'm not sure we have a biting specialist here, I haven't heard of one anyway. No I've never used one which is why I thought I would get one ahead of my self to see what one works also to get use to it. So a port myler pelham I'm guessing is a non severe one? Would you say you get as much control? Haha I'm picking your brains here I haven't seen another arab at all out showing so I have no idea how we compare in our going or anyone to ask
 
A French link Pelham will have very limited 'pelham' action- I use one on my section D to show him that a true double is a bit sharp for.
 
The myler have quite a short shank which I prefer for Arabs as they have smaller heads and mouths so it looks neater, and most don't need such a severe action from the curb rein, I would post some pictures but have no idea how to! If you Google sweet photography go onto show galleries they photograph most of the Arab shows in this country, have a look at the ridden pictures it will give you a good idea of how the horses should be turned out.
 
Neue Schule do a pelham with a thinner mouthpiece which has a tranz angled lozenge style. Very effective especially for the dutch bred horse who has a very fleshy tongue and mouth.
 
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