Types of pelham bits

[My Boys M&D]

Had a thought provoking discussion with a (very good and sympathetic) pro rider the other day about different types of leverage bits. They said they sometimes use a jointed pelham with just one rein on the bottom ring, but with a curb chain to avoid over rotation. I said I thought pelhams were supposed to be used with 2 reins or roundings. She said, true, but it's the same action as a dutch gag where the rein can be attached to a ring lower than the mouthpiece to get the leverage effect. She also pointed out that some types of pelham e.g. a globe pelham, are designed to be used with one rein and again, its just attaching the rein below the mouthpiece to get leverage. Her argument was that the location of the mouthpiece in relation to the rein is what gives a bit it's action (ignoring the mouthpiece aspect).

I was stumped as logically and from a physics perspective she's right isn't she?! Is this an example of how some things are accepted as 'correct' e.g. a pelham should be used with 2 reins, whereas there is no difference between using a pelham with 1 rein on the bottom ring, and using a globe pelham or a dutch gag with 1 rein?

She did say she only uses this set up on a horse that was quite light in the hand but needed the occasional stronger reminder to soften and stay round in front of a fence. She said wouldn't use it in a horse that liked a strong contact as it would be too much constant pressure.

Interested in people's thoughts...

 

[My Boys M&D]

I've said the word 'pelham' too much and it sounds weird now!

 

[Spotherisk]

In theory it seems correct.

In the past I sometimes rode my polite but typically built heavy in front cob in a Pelham - port mouth, short fixed shank, leather curb. I would sometimes drop the snaffle rein and ride with just the curb, generally on in walk, as a education kind of thing - worked very well.

Tried him once in a jointed three ring gag and he hated it, started rearing.

 

[honetpot]

If the curb rein is on all the time eventually they will try and avoid it, running through the shoulder. I was trying bits for hunting with a 11.2 pony, normally ridden in a snaffle. A kimblewick looked simple for a child, it made him boil over, a pelham in rounding and short shank he was fine in. Another pony in a pelham for showing, and the curb rein loose, could not jump in, in the end we had to tie the rein in a knot on his neck.
It's my bug bare, and not riding with snaffle rein means there is no opportunity to reward or take the pressure off, and I hate the idea that a gag, which is a curb bit is ridden with one rein, then they wonder why it runs through or sticks it head up.

 

[Lipglosspukka]

I know nothing about Pelhams. Someone educate me. I thought that roundings were frowned upon but unsure why? Is a Pelham stronger than a gag?