Twisted Mullen Pelham Bombers Bits

trefnantblackknight

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Hello anyone used this bit.... http://www.horsebitbank.com/twisted-mullen-pelham-785.phtml

My boy is currently in a Happy Mouth Pelham - using two riens

Now he is a very strong horse in canter and slightly less in trot and walk i am currently re-schooling him after a horrific year last year when he was nearly killed by new neighbors children...he has finally got over his fear -since they moved back in march - but he has only just started to get over it 2 months ago..so we have started work again so i can carry on his showing career and i was thinking of changing his bit for a while..so i can actualy do this safely and then change it back when he is better schooled..so are they any good? pros and cons with this bit? He is 9 years old so is that old enough to use this bit he knows all the riding aids etc hes just very fresh at the moment :D

Any advice on any other bits would be great? Thank you xx
 
I do not like the idea of a twisted bit, it will stop a strong horse but will they not also lose confidence and back off the hand which can then cause other issues. As you are confident with two reins and show why not use a double, much more subtle and you should get a better result, a longish shank will give you control when you need it.
 
I do not like the idea of a twisted bit, it will stop a strong horse but will they not also lose confidence and back off the hand which can then cause other issues. As you are confident with two reins and show why not use a double, much more subtle and you should get a better result, a longish shank will give you control when you need it.

Unfortunately he has a tiny mouth and a double just doesn't fit :( I know but its getting to the point where i have to really yank to get him to slow down and i just want something to say oi! listen! but in a better way than me hauling on his mouth :(
 
Have you tried anything other than a pelham? I have found on horses I have had who are strong and tend to pull their heads down, do not respond well to pelhams and just lean on them. For these horses I prefer to use a gag type bit instead as it helps to lift their heads up.

Mine currently has a 3 ring gag with waterford mouthpiece which he seems happy in. I only ride him in anything but the main ring if I am doing xc or showjumping. I have also had him in a cartwheel gag (didn't particularly work for him) and pelham (useless!). If doing dressage h is fine in a hanging snaffle but I couldn't hack out a lot on this or use for any fast work as he just tows with his head down. I know he won't go anywhere as such but I do not like having to pull on his mouth to stop him.
 
Have you tried anything other than a pelham? I have found on horses I have had who are strong and tend to pull their heads down, do not respond well to pelhams and just lean on them. For these horses I prefer to use a gag type bit instead as it helps to lift their heads up.

Mine currently has a 3 ring gag with waterford mouthpiece which he seems happy in. I only ride him in anything but the main ring if I am doing xc or showjumping. I have also had him in a cartwheel gag (didn't particularly work for him) and pelham (useless!). If doing dressage h is fine in a hanging snaffle but I couldn't hack out a lot on this or use for any fast work as he just tows with his head down. I know he won't go anywhere as such but I do not like having to pull on his mouth to stop him.

Hello ladyt25 He has headshy-ness issues so has an extremly high headcarriage so i actually struggle to get his pretty head down :) i actually tried an american gag on him - that was an interesting ride :D Also he was started in a hanging cheek snaffle which was good until he got confident and decided that going 100mph was much more fun than listening to me :D thank you for your advice :D

Cisco tends to tank of with his head in the air so he can't actually see where he is going...he thinks its great fun also i had a waterford snaffle on him and it rubbed his tounge terribly :( :) Pelhams seem to suit him :)
 
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Ah yes, well a gag ain't gonna help then! :)

There are so many bits out there, it's a bit of a mine field. What about a pelham with a port in the middle instead?
 
Ah yes, well a gag ain't gonna help then! :)

There are so many bits out there, it's a bit of a mine field. What about a pelham with a port in the middle instead?


I know i have around 20 different bits!! :) ooh well i have looked at them but i don't really know much about them i have been looking at the myler pelhams but the desciption is a bit confusing .. unless i'm just being dense ;D
 
Personally wouldn't touch that, I really don't like twisted mouth bits at all!

Initial reaction was to try a waterford but if that rubs then a twisted mouth DEFINITELY will!! I had the same problem with a small mouth/strong horse who hated poll pressure who I was training and in the end used a curb gag. Like a Cheltenham gag but under their chin and I swear by it!

Otherwise try a Myler as the thin mouthpiece with copper inlay seems to work wonders on most horses especially strong ones and tends to naturally lower head carriage, if this fails and pelham action works well then try a driving bit/military bit. They are stronger but similar and horses who are really dead to the mouth tend to respond well but personally consider this quite extreme (though ave used it to good effect) alternatively look at hackamores but not ideal for a head shy horse...
 
Hello anyone used this bit.... http://www.horsebitbank.com/twisted-mullen-pelham-785.phtml

My boy is currently in a Happy Mouth Pelham - using two riens

Now he is a very strong horse in canter and slightly less in trot and walk i am currently re-schooling him after a horrific year last year when he was nearly killed by new neighbors children...he has finally got over his fear -since they moved back in march - but he has only just started to get over it 2 months ago..so we have started work again so i can carry on his showing career and i was thinking of changing his bit for a while..so i can actualy do this safely and then change it back when he is better schooled..so are they any good? pros and cons with this bit? He is 9 years old so is that old enough to use this bit he knows all the riding aids etc hes just very fresh at the moment :D

Any advice on any other bits would be great? Thank you xx

I'd suggest that you switch to a mild bit (but avoid a soft rubber one since they are so wobbly) but combine it with a Market Harborough. You could also try lungeing him with an elbow pull.
 
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