Ridden show cob help ??

samual

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Hi im thinking of doing Ridden cob classes on my boy but i'v been told i have to ride in a double bridle and pelham, but my boy is only in a snaffle and hates a pelham i know the bits only as servere as the hands its in but is there a pelham that isn't that harsh???
 
try different mouthpieces but a short shank straight bar would be my first choice, also try a leather or elastic curb chain. I would use it for hacking as well as shows so the cob gets used to it. If its a novice class then snaffles are acceptable..
 
Agreed, if local and your horse is happy in a snaffle then ride him in that. Actually do the same at bigger shows as well for now as the judge will ride and school him to a pelham or double at home. Remember that just because you have 2 reins on a pelham or double you don't have to use the curb rein at all. All of mine are schooled to ride off of the snaffle rein and my curb is always slack.
 
My friend took her TB in a R2R class in a big show, she was the only one in a snaffle bridle out of about 16 horses, she came 3rd - the judge was very impressed at how well she went she didnt take the snaffle into consideration :)
 
Wow thanks peeps i feel as if i know a bit more now, All we have ever done is jumping so i thought this year we would try something else :). If there is any tips or info you think i might need to know feel free :) and thanks again x
 
My friends HW cob went to Royal London a few years ago in only a snaffle - nobody commented on it and she came 4th (Out of about 12 competitors)

However, like someone else above said, you can get Pelhams that are identical to the snaffle you ride in, except for the shank - then add an extra rein, but don't put any pressure on it - that's supposed to be the point of the extra rein anyway - curb pressure = EXTRA brakes! I hate seeing horses ridden with the shank horizontal, it really winds me up!
 
I hate seeing horses ridden with the shank horizontal, it really winds me up!

It is a pet peeve of mine as well! It comes from inexperienced people putting them on their horses because they want to show and it is correct but never having been taught how to use one properly. A lot of people hang onto the curb rein to get their horses heads down as they simply can't ride them properly. Maybe that's a bit of a harsh view but I have never seen anyone with a taught curb rein using it properly.
 
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