Tell me about pelhams

[NeverSayNever]

My Sec D mare is schooled in a loosering french link snaffle and if we arent doing too much other exciting stuff inbetween times, I hack out in it too. For exciting things, including all jumping, she is in a dutch gag with the same mouthpeice. She goes very well in this. She is the type that will run onto her head given the chance and jumping especially I have to work at keeping her back on her hocks or it could be dangerous. I find the gag is good for this.

My question about pelhams is because Id like to try some local level ridden showing classes. I entered one at a show recently but after trying to warm up in her snaffle I withdrew In a open field with other horses cantering about I just couldnt hold her. It was suggested to me to try a pelham next time. Do they not have an action that lowers the head and encourages to the forehand however? Ive also been told that they can help 'lift' the shoulder but that is the opposite of what i thought Given it is her natural tendency to nosedive i dont want to further encourage it.

thanks in advance!

 

[StormyMoments]

Taz has a tendency to work on the forehand and fall over his own feet but with the Pelham he really lifted up in the shoulder and brought his hocks underneath him and generally works very well in it. I couldn't ride him in the gag as he acted as if it wasn't there, stuck his nose in the air and took off which he doesn't even do in a snaffle.

He is in a stainless steel mullenmouth Pelham, he started off in a happy mouth straight Pelham (he has a very large tongue so couldn't go in a rubber Pelham) and then went into a metal one when my YO needed it back

 

[tallyho!]

Ever so sorry NSN, I really want to help but can't be bothered to type loads so I will pull up this website again as I think it will help you much more than I can... the part about the pelham is quite far down but well worth reading the whole article

http://www.sustainabledressage.net/tack/bridle.php

 

[NeverSayNever]

thank you, TH i will read that now

 

[Nari]

In my opinion they're a useful bit IF used correctly. By which I mean with two reins,a curb chain & ridden forward into the bridle. Used with roundings by a rider who hangs onto the rein they're a nightmare, and without some form of curb chain you mayas well stay with a three ring gag.

 

[**Vanner**]

I and my boy love our pelham. Really helps to get him to work from behind and lift.

 

[*sprinkles*]

I love my Pelham, my horse feels comfortable in it in a way he never did in his snaffle. I hunted and found a Pelham made of sweet iron with a copper lozenge and it's fab, horsey much prefers it to the stainless steel! I completely agree with whoever above said about double reins - my pet hate is seeing a Pelham used with roundings as it's totally the wrong way to use the bit.