Strange reaction to a pelham

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Gorgeous George

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So I tried George in the Pelham, with the aim for using it in our beginners WH class in 2 weeks time, and it wasn’t a success. Strangely I didn’t find the double reins too much of a problem, but I don’t think George was too happy with the bit. He didn’t throw his head about or protest in that way, but he just seemed to go into reverse. I had to really kick him on to get him moving (not like him) and he felt really flat and lethargic, at first I thought he was off colour / lame. So I hopped off and trotted him up, all seemed well and he had seemed well in himself when I was grooming/tacking up. So I got back on and he really wasn’t keen to move forwards, especially in canter.

I was getting quite worried about him by now, so got off and went and got his usual bridle with dutch gag, popped it on and got on. It was like someone had flicked a switch and there he was as happy as larry, going forward, cantering and so on!

Is this a strange reaction for a horse to have to this kind of bit (mouthpiece was the same as the one we use for dressage)? Needless to say we will be doing the WH in the dutch gag, and if the judge comments we will just have to smile and nod!
 
Sometimes if a horse doesn't like a bit or finds it too strong or whatever they back off it and are very reluctant to go in to the contact if you get me? I think he just didn't like the bit.
 
My daughter had problems holding her pony when showjumping so tried her in a happy mouth pelham and found that she completely backed off. We think it frightened her a little, she too was in a dutch gag at the time, so put her in a full cheek snaffle which she went really well in.
 
Its not really a strange reaction at all. Some horses are just too soft mouthed for a pelham, ive recently tried a 17.3 in a pelham as he is very strong out hacking and he did the exact same way. And yes a dutch gag is not suitable for showing, you will get marked down for using it. What about a normal snaffle? Or is he too strong?
 
Does anyone at your yeard have some different types of Pelhams you could try? Even though the mouth piece on this is the same as the one you dressage in, because of the different action, mean he'll like it.

How tight/loose was the curb? - both could course issues.

How much contact did you take on the bottom rein?
 
Can you not try a double bridle and just make sure that you ride off the bradoon? My working hunter pony didnt go well in a pelham, but beautifully in the double because I barely touched the Weymouth rein
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You need to use a lot of leg and less hand in a pelham for sure. I have this reaction when I have tried my horse in a double bridle. I suggest you have another go but use less hand (you might not realise you are). Also make sure the curb chain isn't twisted against the chin groove (the lip strap will stop this from happening) and that it isn't fastened too tightly. Finally ensure that the curb rein only comes into effect when you apply pressure to the reins i.e as in a half halt or to do a downwards transition.
 
Chubbles did this when I first had him in a pelham. He kept going backwards and threatened to go up, throwing his head everywhere. I did a bit oif ground work with him and he was fine after that. I barely toucht the curb rein and the curb is very loose.
 
Why do you need to use a pelham? Sorry, is that a daft question? If your horse isn't happy in it and backing off then I wouldn't bother with it. Is it because you are looking for a bit that is 'legal' for the class.

I don't know the rules for WH but, if you usually ride in a dutch gag could you not try a hanging snaffle instead? I ride mine for dressage in a hanging snaffle and he is fine (he's normally in a dutch gag). Is it the control jumping that's a problem?

Maybe the poll action in conjunction with the curb is too much for him - my pony is like this in a pelham. He backed off a gag but was too strong in a snaffle etc so i tried a pelham - never been on anything before that stopped dead in the middle of a gallop cos I went to pull him to stop! I resorted to removing the curb chain and that gave me a happy balance.

Unfortuantely, I don't think you can remove the curb for such classes (shame) but it sounds like the curb is the issue seeing as he's used to the poll action of a gag. Maybe re-look at how it was fitted OR remove it and see if he is any different - then you will know if it is the bit that's the issue or the curb.
 
If your horse goes nicely on the flat and jumping in a snaffle - then use this for the class, you will not get marked down in a WH for not wearing a double/pelham as long as the horse goes nicely in what you have. I used to do WH in a 2-ring gag, and we never had any problems coming home with a red rossette! Experiment with the pelham, loosen the curb, tie the bottom rein in a knot so that you are only riding with the top rein. Although - in reality, 2 weeks isnt very long to try a new bit, jump in it and be comfortable to do a competition in it in my personal opinion.
 
My ID/TB did this the first time she was put in one as a 5 year old for Hunter classes. In the end we took her back to the stable, then the next day we put the bit back in leaving the curb chain off, after a while we introduced the curb on a very loose link and hacked her round the block to give her something else to think about. Got back to the yard picked up the slack on the curb and took her into the school and she was fine. She does not wear one often now but when she does she prefers a metal bar rather than a vulcanite type. So could be worth playing with different mouthpieces.

Good luck.
 
Pickle hated the pelham a lot, he was awful to ride backing off like anything. Then as soon as I got off him he reared up. This is a horse who is known to be incredibly placid and has never done anything like this before or since.
 
If it was a straight bar, that might be the problem, try a jointed. Better than that speak to your instructor and get her advice and let her watch you ride and see his reaction from the ground.
 
Just my lack of experience, I was expecting him to throw his head about if he was not happy, not react as he did. We do dressage in a hanging cheek myler, but he sometimes gets a bit strong jumping and the dutch gag seems to work well and as I'm nervous it gives me a bit of extra confidence.

I am just totally confused
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, the class we are doing is beginner's WH at an unaff local show, and some people tell me a pelham is the correct bit to use and a dutch gag is a total no no, and others say any bit is ok. Don't know what to do as I want to give it my best shot and not look a total idiot
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Thanks
 
In a working hunter class any suitable bit is permitted.

A lot of people feel a pelham or a double is traditional and should therefore perhaps be the preferred choice. By the way, have you tried an elasticated curb chain?

For your first show I would really stick with what you are both happy and comfortable with. If that is the gag, then just stick with the one rein on whichever 'bubble' you usually use.

Above all, you need to feel as confident as possible and enjoy it!
 
I have been in a class where the person who won it was wearing a dutch gag! Ok, so it was only unaffiliated, but I really don't think they should care. I mean, if this is what you would hunt him in, then how can they say anything. The class is working hunter, not 'been made to look as if I hunt as I've got a pelham in' well it shouldn't be anyway. Althugh I've given up on unaff showing - I never seem to tick the right boxes for them!!!
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i put a straight bar pelham in my pony once, i still couldnt stop, but we now moved sidewards instead of forwards! here is a list of bits i tried:
snaffle: 50 laps of gallop before i could stop
straight bar pelham: sidewards
dr bristol: i ended up in hospital with no memory of what happened, my mum refused to let me retry this one!
pelham with waterford mouthpeice: no brakes!
american gag: no brakes!
dutch gag: brakes at last, cant use for showing apparently

at this point i figured i would lose less marks for having the wrong bit than i would for charging incontrollably around the ring

then i tried a jointed pelham, still no brakes but i found it funny by this point!

all this to stop a 13.3hh pony!
 
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