showing bit question - pelhams!

[ThePony]

Hi all,
I would like to show my girl this year - planning on having a bash at local shows with riding horse and lightweight hunter. She doesn't have much space in her mouth so I won't be using a double, so thought i would try a pelham. I'm sure I read somewhere that although a pelham is acceptable as an alternative to a double, a rugby pelham is considered less correct. Is this true - any tips on what pelham would be the best / most correct to go for?
I know I am only aiming at local, but I would like to try my best so want to get all the odds and ends right!
Thank you!

 

[only_me]

The rugby pelham is correct if you are not using a double bits, but you should attach the sliphead off the double bridle and connect it to the loose ring on the rugby.

If not using the double bridle then definately use the rugby pelham

 

[Shazzababs]

At local level you can probably get away with any type of pelham if your horse goes well in it. For more 'high power' events, especially in the riding horse class you would probably need to find a double that she gets on with.

I've never heard that one pelham is more correct than another, but I have always used the type which look like a double to the casual observer, and have never had any problems (only done showing at local level though).

 

[rushyj]

A rugby pelham is allowed but judges tend to not like them. As a bit they are an imitation of the double bits for look alone. They do not function as a double bit or a pelham. For a horse with little space in the mouth a Sam Marsh Pelham is excellent it is also available as a weymouth so may be an option. It has a flat plate for the mouth piece with a low port and was designed for cobs and warmbloods with very little room.

 

[ThePony]

Oh dear, is trickyer than I had hoped!
Is there a weymouth and bridoon that is better for those with large tongues and low palattes? A single or french jointed bit doesn't work well for her.

 

[rushyj]

the Sam marsh comes as a weymouth from Abbey bits and bradoons na be any mouth piece which works for you

 

[rushyj]

This is a sam marsh weymouth

 

[Miss Marple]

Sam Marsh - this bit applies pressure to the poll and chin groove, where the curb chain lies, and also works on several points of control within the mouth. As the picture shows it has a flat mouthpiece and predominantly applies pressure to the tongue. The Sam Marsh is known for being useful for strong horses that lean on the bit as it promotes lightness in the hand. It is popular for horses with fleshy mouths and tongues, such as cobs or hunters.

This bit is designed to give a clear signal to the horse, so must be used by someone who understands its action.

I would say that it will be too much bit for your girl. I had this problem with my large riding horse and went through an array of bits.

Is the problem just the fact that a double is too much for her mouth or is there other factors i.e does she lean on the bit, overbend etc?

 

[IdoShowing]

Definitely do not go for a rugby pelham - they usually look bad!!! A nice pelham will look much much better!!

 

[rushyj]

Sam Marsh - this bit applies pressure to the poll and chin groove, where the curb chain lies, and also works on several points of control within the mouth.

As do all pelhams. I have always found a pelham will by it's very nature encourage a horse to lean onto the bit eventually. I have used the Sam Marsh on many novice horses over the years (but this is with experience and knowing how to use one) I find it much more comfortable for the horse with the flat plate and as the the plate sits within an independant side the mouthpeice does not rotate in the mouth and cause any pressure on the tongue it sits flat on the tongue without movement when correctly fitted.

 

[only_me]

see, the rugby pelham always looks good imo - although ONLY if the snaffle ring is attached to a slip head, other wise looks awful!

 

[Theresa_F]

A pelham is perfectly acceptable for showing. I see many in the ring at county/affililated level wearing them. I used one last year but this year will be using a double as Stinky is going nicely in one and actually prefers it to the pelham as I can ride mainly off the top rein.

If you really want to use a bridle with a sliphead but not a weymouth set, Flyde Saddlery do a loose ring pelham which is far nicer than a rugby pelham and more acceptable to judges.

With my first TB, I managed to find a very fine set which fitted her very small mouth and large tongue. However, my second TB just did not get on with a double, so I used one of the loose ring pelhams as a bridle with a sliphead really looked the part on her.

 

[ThePony]

thanks for all the advice, that flyde one sounds like one to take a look at. Will def use a slip head, it is one of my pet peeves to see rugby pelhams without the loose ring on a slip head! The sam marsh one I worry would be too harsh for her. She has a low palette and a large tounge, she doesn't lean, but she can be a little on the forehand - less so in rather exciting trips out, which I expect a show ring would count as! She is sensitive in her mouth so I do feel bad in effect over bitting her just to be correct in the show ring. I am hoping that by getting the right one for her, and keeping my hands light that she will feel happy in it. Failing that we'll just have to be wrong and go in our nice snaffle!

 

[Brandy]

Whats wrong with a snaffle? Particularly at local level and if she will be in novice classes?

 

[Janette]

You may find some novice classes stipulate a snaffle bridle only.....

If you do want a pelham, Cotswoldsports do a lovely show pelham - it's a loose ring, but without all the hardware of a Rugby Pelham.

http://cotswoldsport.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_70&products_id=272

If your horse has not experienced a pelham, try an elastic cub, or leather.

I'found thsat my mare does not like a double, so I went back to the 'simplicity' of a pelham (less hardware in her mouth) and she she said 'thankgoodness' and came light as a feather in my hand. She was strong and leaning in the double. Sometimes, less is more.

 

[ThePony]

oh dear, I thought you needed to have a double or a pelham for showing?! If we can get away with a snaffle then that would be fab.
Any showing peeps who can recommend an idiots guide website or book?
Thanks loads guys for all your help.

 

[rushyj]

www.horsechic.co.uk under construction till end of next week but everything showing from how to video guides (plaiting through to riding an individual show) to Q & A and show horse and ponies etc.

 

[ThePony]

that's fantastic, thank you loads rushyj!

 

[Brandy]

Most novice classes will say snaffle bridle only, with the exception of some working hunters which might say 'any suitable bridle' in which case you can still use the snaffle. If thats what your horse likes and goes nicely with, why change?? Good luck!

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

Novice classes are snaffles.
Open classes are pelhams/doubles.

I use a rugby (but do with a slip head) and I think it looks nice. And since using it instead of a snaffle (even tho at local level) I have been placed higher every time!

NS do a bit which is like a loose ring pelham which looks quite neat...... il see if I can find it!

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

http://www.discountequestrianwarehouse.co.uk/neue-schule-swales-pelham-14mm.html

here you go, but obv the mouth piece to suit your horse..... don't knwo if others agree.

 

[ThePony]

Oh, I do like the ns, though I think she wouldn't like the rings next to her face. Might get one of the loose ring showing ones and see what she thinks of it. I assume that I would use a slip head on the loose ring like I would as if it were a rugby pelham?

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

Ye as far as I understand thats what you would do with it!
Its hard to find the right bit for your horse to show in as you don't want to upset them but also neeed to keep to the rules/guidelines of showing in certain classes!! hence I feel its worth finding the one that works for you and your horse

Make sure you let us know how the show goes!