weaning off a pelham back to 'dressage legal'

[elsielouise]

Any ideas out there for this?

In the winter my cob x WB simply doesn't do enough and gets very strong. This winter she has been the worst yet and I've put her in the pelham I normally use just for jumping to hack and school.

Now the last two lessons I;ve had she has gone beautifully in the vulcanite pelham and my trainer and I have wondered if in fact she actually doesn't lilke the v expensive KK ultra or myler snaffles I have.

Sooooooooooooo.... I know a hanging cheek can put a bit of poll pressure on but can you get them in a straight bar vulcanite version? Is there anything else dressage legal at Intro level I could add to get a similiar action?

And does the theory make sense. She leans for England in a metal jointed snafle with barrel, lozenge or french link but I have to have something for dressage and she is so light in the pelham by comparison I can't think it;s just the bit pressure that is making her respond so well- I hope to BE this year but need some control or our 20m circles can go on a long time!

 

[katiex2]

deja vue - I had a horse who was very similar. Had great control with the vulcanite pelham for show jumping and cross country but we tried every snaffle going for doing dressage in. In the end she did it in a mullen mouth happy mouth loose ring snaffle and on days that that didn't work she went in a french link. I just had to keep chopping and changing. Hope this helps. It really is a nightmare!!! GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[*hic*]

I took my Welshy who preferred the vulcanite pelham into a happy mouth pelham and then when he was ok with that - and I could ride him on the top rein only - I changed him to a hanging cheek straight bar happy mouth.

It works very well for him.