Should I try a pelham?

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Mongoose11

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Ok so, bitting issues with fatty mare who can be strong out and who has been strong on the last three hacks to the point where the lady that rides her wasn't frightened but rather concerned.

She isn't being schooled at the moment because I'm not riding - due to pick up again next week after the broken foot incident but I have been concerned about her being strong in the past. Went to a ported Myler and she was good in this but now seems to ignore and is just a bit of a tank.

I have been advised to try a pelham? Never used one before - would take instruction if necessary. Too much too soon or the right step?

She was previously ridden in a waterford but I find she doesn't hold herself well in this. We then just went in a snaffle but rarely any fast work.

Opinions please.....

Thanks
 
A kimblewick would be worth a try before a pelham, and only needs on set of reins. They are perfect for strong types. A slotted one gives you two strength options.
 
Hmm - without seeing the horse my answer would be only if you are going to school her in it and get past the issues out hacking without using the curb as a handbrake!

Any bit is only as severe as the hands holding it, some horses really love a rubber pelham, they should always be used with 2 reins, never roundings - lazy and negate the point of the bit.

If she's getting strong out hacking Id be querying first if she's being over fed/grassed/under exercised or the partnership between horse and rider :)
 
TigerTail said:
Hmm - without seeing the horse my answer would be only if you are going to school her in it and get past the issues out hacking without using the curb as a handbrake!

Any bit is only as severe as the hands holding it, some horses really love a rubber pelham, they should always be used with 2 reins, never roundings - lazy and negate the point of the bit.

If she's getting strong out hacking Id be querying first if she's being over fed/grassed/under exercised or the partnership between horse and rider :)
Click to expand...

She definitely isn't over fed but she is being under exercised due to my foot. This is about to change. Partnership is great as she has been ridden by us both for over a year now. She is just excited to be out.

Despite the fact that she is under exercised at the moment (was riding 4-6 times a week, now 1-2) I was considering a bit change prior to this as she has been getting a bit strong. I guess we are just starting to do more fast work and she is proving to be enjoying it a bit too much!

When I say strong I mean she comes back to me within say 8 strides or so but then with her other rider recently she just had to sit tight and let her do her thing, nice, steady open canter but she wasn't listening!

I will have a chat with my instructor about whether she thinks we should use it in the school and then go from there....

Thank you!
 
Billie1007 said:
She definitely isn't over fed but she is being under exercised due to my foot. This is about to change. Partnership is great as she has been ridden by us both for over a year now. She is just excited to be out.

Despite the fact that she is under exercised at the moment (was riding 4-6 times a week, now 1-2) I was considering a bit change prior to this as she has been getting a bit strong. I guess we are just starting to do more fast work and she is proving to be enjoying it a bit too much!

When I say strong I mean she comes back to me within say 8 strides or so but then with her other rider recently she just had to sit tight and let her do her thing, nice, steady open canter but she wasn't listening!

I will have a chat with my instructor about whether she thinks we should use it in the school and then go from there....

Thank you!
Click to expand...

I know its not always possible, depending if you're in a nice open field or narrow track, but she could try a circle or go into a figure of 8 and ask for a flying change, anything to get her concentration back on the rider rather than 'whoopee'!
 
I rode my strong cob for many years in a vulcanite pelham, I tried D loops and two reins, I got on better with two reins and the curb chain really gave me an advantage when he needed it, but the straight bar could function as a fiarly kind bit without the curb coming into play if he was being good. I haven't tried many bits, but my cob was very good in his pelham and I think it also gave me a psychological advantage.
 
I also use a straight bar vulcanite pelham with roundings for my cob out hunting and it works a treat - rather than him tanking off with me, he lightens his forehand and I feel in total control.

I know a lot of people do not like a pelham with roundings, but I have small hands and carry a hunting whip, so find double reins too much of a handful.

In normal work I ride in a loose ring snaffle.

You may also find that once the horse is receiving more work, you can revert back to a milder bit, so a pelham could only be a temporary measure.
 
Schooling and listening to the aids more would help, however you say you can,t school at the moment.Our mare is ridden in a rubber pelham just for jumping, she is by nature very forward , but to school and hack out we use a hanging cheek snaffle, on hacks we keep her super active , leg yielding and lots of halt transitions etc , is your horse hacked out with others?......will make a difference.The pelham or any stronger bit is worth a try but get some schooling lessons using it .
 
Pelham is Heather Moffat 's bit of choice. If you have a chance to read her book she explains why. i used one on our kids pony and it was fab, also better to be light handed with a stronger bit, than heavy handed with a mild bit.

I also have used kimblewicks and like those as well.

I prefer a mullen mouth/straight bit to jointed. i only like the jointed bits where they have the extra thing in the middle.
 
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