Would you use this...?

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bex1984

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I have the rubber pelham that came with my pony, he was ridden in it before I had him, when I tried him and the first few times I rode him, until I changed it for a full cheek snaffle.

He's got a bitter fitter and stronger lately and I'm tempted to give the rubber pelham another go (it has no chain, is used with roundings). Dug it out and was quite shocked by the state of it - he'd obviously chewed it over the years and it had some really sharp bits in the rubber.

I've now sanded it down and cleaned it up, there's no sharp bits at all, but it is a bit rough.

Will it be OK to use? It is a lot better than it was the last umpteen times he was ridden it it (the sharp bits had clearly been there a while) and can't afford a new one just at the mo, so I'm hoping it might do for now? Opinions please...
 
My opinion; no I wouldn't use a bit which may be uncomfortable to a horse. Why don't you just go out and buy another identical bit?
confused.gif
For the sake of 20 or 30 quid it seems silly not to.
 
I'd steer away from using it, although you've sanded it down it may still cause him discomfort and it's not worth it really, you can pick up these things so much more cheaply now so if I were you I'd invest in a new one!
 
oh poo. really can't afford a new one until after payday, and I'm not sure if it'll actually improve things so was hoping to just try this one out. But defo don't want him to be uncomfortable...best go and buy a lottery ticket I think.
 
i bought a really nice rubber pelham from e bay - brand new still in bag - very cheap price - and i use mine with a leather curb instead of a chain one - you can also get eleastic curbs too - all on e bay - good luck x
 
Are leather and elastic chains less harsh than the metal ones?
(am going to use the roundings as am a rubbish rider!!)

Will look into whether I can hire a bit.

Have found some very fine sandpaper and had another go and all the rough bits have gone now!
 
I would not consider using it. Just carry on with your full cheek snaffle until you can afford a replacement.
 
yes - elastic and leather ones are much kinder - but still gives you control - i use roundings too - my pony is much more easliy controled now and she comes down more - before she used to go round with her nose ppoked out - the only thing is she now leans on my hands a lot - id love to put her in a waterford but she will only have rubber in her mouth! x
 
Even if it's not smooth, be careful you haven't rubbed enough away in places that has made it thinner. I presume it has metal running through it so I'm not suggesting it would fall apart, but you wouldn't want the horse to make contact with the metal.
 
nope is defo not any thinner and is now smooth. going to take it to the yard and ask a few people to feel it and see what they think. Probs won't use it today or tomorrow anyway - have a lesson tomorrow to see if I can get some more brakes in the snaffle. I'm just wondering about using it again because it's the only thing he knew before I had him and I'd like to see how he responds to it.
 
oo also wanted to say - don't worry, I wouldn't risk hurting ponio just because I can't afford a new bit. Was just hoping it might be useable but if not I'll wait!
 
I wouldn't use it either. I also wouldn't use it without a curb chain - either metal, ruber or elastic (both because it's not working correctly without the curb, and also because without it there is no restriction as to how much poll pressure there is). I'd also not use it with roundings, as it gives a very blunt signal to the horse and acts in a similar way to a hanging snaffle (so why not try one of them?).

Is your pony just strong? Or does he open his mouth? put his head up? grab on to the bit and run through the bridle? If you are going to buy a new bit, there might be a more suitable one for him (or something different altogether) than the one he came with.
 
Doesn't open his mouth, just sets his neck quite high (but not head in the air) and off he goes, flat out to the gate of the school. Am going to (and have been) work on this nappy thing, but when he really decides he wants to go I can't turn or stop him, so he ends up getting there and although I push him straight on afterwards, he has got there, so in a way he's won.

Hopefully I'll be able to get some of this sorted in my lesson tomorrow and can keep him in the snaffle...
 
Also probably worth mentioning that the full on tanking to the gate has only happened a few times, and he does it when there's other people/horses by the gate. AND I think he's doing it because I'm having a temporary confidence dip!
 
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