Well tried the mullen mouth pelham last night...

[Lill]

With double reins and Blue had a few tantrums to begin
with!!

First i got off because it looked to me like the cheek pieces needed to go up a hole, but when i looked i decided maybe they didn't, then i got back on and he then put his tongue over the bit so i got off and put them up, then he did it again so i had to go and get a noseband!

He did have some nice moments though

but the tantrums outnumbered the nice moments and he's got back into this annoying habit of going hollow when i ask for canter

Which is stupid because he goes hollow for the transistion and then goes round straight afterwards drives me mad!

Am going to have a couple of lessons in the pelham i think though to get things together a bit more!

 

[ickelshadow]

maybe it was a little harsh for him? i think i've read a few things about blue in the past from your posts, but i cant think for the life of me how 'established' he is?

i took Shadow out in a mullen mouth once, and although she was extremely flashy in everything she did, i think it stressed her more than anything, so i got a french link one so it was more like her snaffle, and she was much more settled. and bear in mind that she was a dressage import from denmark where schooling was all she did, and highly trained in a double. the only reason i didnt ride her in her double was i thought at 25 a double was just a bit much for her so wanted something similar to keep her in check on sponsored rides (trust me, it was needed!).

whenever i first ride a horse in a pelham, i always ride fromthe snaffle and near enough drop the curb rein and introduce it gradually over a few weeks so that the strength of the bit is learnt, and not an enforcement

out of interest, do you usually ride without a noseband with blue?

will keep my fingers crossed for you, sounds like he's just a bit unsure - i'm sure the lessons will help hugely

 

[Lill]

Well i tried the mullen mouth one as it was the one that i had to hand and the one that people on here said was the kindest mouthpiece.

I did ride him just on the snaffle rein, the other rein was pretty slack! I tried to tie it in a knot at one point but it was flapping round his face a bit too much when i did that so i took it back but didn't use it. Also had the curb chain on the very last link so it was as loose as possible - is this best for him?

Yes i do tend to ride him without a noseband and only put one on (cavesson) for competitions really

Thanks

my lessons have helped so much so far so think with a bit of guidance from my instructor we should be fine

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

Regarding the fit of the curb chain, it should come into action at about a 45 degree angle to the mouth. Any greater angle and the chain will not engage, and can result in some really horrible visions, with the rider pulling valiantly on the curb rein, and the shanks and the rein being in a straight line and therefore not effective. I find that when using a pelham, I tend to drop the snaffle rein (this is in walk only) and lightly use the curb - the horse has to be taught what to feel, and the poll, lips, chin groove action may be very different from anything felt before.

With hollowing on a canter transition, my instructor taught me to use sitting trot a lot, not just before canter as this can teach the horse to anticipate the transition. Also, and most importantly, to really relax the body, including the thighs and knees (No gripping!) and to do a big breath out, almost a sigh. Horse then started popping into canter smoothly, no rush or tension.

Good luck!

 

[Lill]

I don't really intend to use the curb rein to be honest, just riding him off the snaffle rein. Take it that means i need it a little tighter than last link huh! Ok thank you will try that see what reaction i get...

Gah he does exactly that!

In fact it is - i sit, he hollows and canters ! If i just do sitting trot he goes all tight and just tries to canter. But after a couple of times of making him do it properly he is better i think its just something he does because he can