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Tell Me About Pelhams.

3K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  maura 
#1 ·
Okay. Going to make this quick.

I've had little experience with Pelhams. I finally have a safe and forgiving gelding and time to learn with one as we're moving up to higher classes. I've been playing around with the two sets of reins and I've got my hand position down, but now its time to actually buy the bit.

Basically i just want to know which pelhams you all have had success with. Mouthpieces, brands, etc. I'm going shopping with the team tomorrow and figured I'd look around, if I don't find one I plan on buying online just for convenience purposes.

And before you say it, I am an experienced rider, but I still have a trainer to help me. Last time I told someone I planned on getting a pelham I got the "You're-sixteen-and-shouldn't-be-touching-that-bit" speech. And while I by no means know everything, I have done some homework and like I said, have a great 50yrs+ trainer to help me with the transition from cowgirl to....dressage. Wierd. :lol:
 
#2 ·
Actually, I would much rather see a rider use a pelham than a kimberwicke or another type of straight leverage bit. The advantage of a pelham is it's flexibility - you can choose to ride off just the snaffle rein or you can choose to shorten the curb rein and engage the curb if the situation requires. You can even knot the curb rein and leave it lying on the horse's neck as sort of an emergency brake.

The mullen mouth, rubber pelham is the least severe, then the rubber and metal broken mouth pelhams, the thinner metal being more severe than the thicker, and then those with a port.

Here's a diagram that shows how the reins should be held/ridden:

 
#3 ·
You say you are doing dressage? Pelhams are not legal for dressage....just FYI.

If you really need a pelham, and few people really do, Please go for a straight mouth, not a broken mouth. Broken mouthed curbs are unusually harsh by combining the curb effect with the "nutcracker" effect of the broken mouthpiece. I like mullen mouth or one with a very low port. I also like very short "shanks".

I like this one;

Mullen Mouth Tom Thumb Pelham Bit < Pelham Bits|Dover Saddlery .

and this one;

Comfort Mouth Short Shank Pelham Bit < Pelham Bits < Horse Tack|Dover Saddlery.

I avoid rubber mouthed bits as they are often too thick to be comfortable in many horse's mouths.

If, for some reason, your trainer insists on a broken mouthed pelham (try to talk them out of it, if you can) go with a three piece mouthpiece like this one;

Mikmar Pelham Bit with Ergm Lozenge < Pelham Bits|Dover Saddlery .
 
#4 ·
I think it's a good bit, when it's really needed. I'll go to a pelham before I go to a elevator, and then kimberwicke is my very last choice.

Mouthpiece shape, depends on the horse though. I try to stay away from single joints, especially on a leverage bit with more action than a snaffle, but it's what some horses prefer.

Aside from what AF posted, Mylers are more expensive, but I fell seriously head over heels in love over this bit-Toklat - Horse Tack - Saddle Pads - Horse Riding Apparel - Myler Bits - Bits - Pelham

I really almost bought it just to add to the tack collection. The action of it was so much nicer to the mouth, and I felt it would be really effective in the correct moment, compared to a mullen or single joint. The picture doesn't do it much justice, but when your holding it in your hands, and really studying the action of it, and comparing it to a single joint, I naturally loved the Myler mouthpiece better.

Pelhams aren't dressage legal though. Keep that in mind. It's fine for schooling for temporary training purposes, but really for dressage, you want them working smoothly in a simple snaffle.
 
#5 ·
Allison - Now I feel like an idiot xD I never really thought about it, I assumed. We were moving up in dressage, doing some saddleseat just for fun, and there's a couple other classes.

Thanks guys, all your help is appreciated.
 
#6 ·
Adding on, I really do love that Myler bit. I love most of what Myler makes, I got a snaffle that I'll be starting all my colt in and a couple barrel bits/shank bits that my horses have been SO quiet and controlled in. They're absolutely wonderful, but being the western showgirl I have zero experience with english bits above a snaffle.

I think I'm going to ride him in a couple bits of my trainers first. She has several differant pelhams, so we'll see. Apparantly the bit I had been showing him isn't legal for some of the classes I want to show in....But that was also sai by the lady who is only right about 75% of the time, so I'm going to do more research.
 
#8 ·
I have the Myler Pelham and I love it, I bought it to use for Mr G when we are out and about, just to give me a little more stopping power, and I also have used it with Bert. Bert LOVES that bit, even just using the snaffle rein she is really light and responsive.

I really would like a full cheek Myler for her.
 
#9 ·
...I was about to suggest the low port comfort barrel pelham, bu I see I was beaten to it.

Seriously though. Buy that bit (then gift it to me! lol).
 
#10 ·
I'm gong to jump in here. The Pelham has a fairly straight mouthpiece with a gentle curve to it. If this gal is beginning dressage a pelham is fine. As she and the horse advance the time will come when she will go into a double bridle. The other bits are not true Pelhams. I strongly recommend you buy good quality, not chrome plated but but a nickle alloy or stainless. The style of the Tom Thumb Pelham bit is what you need but I'd go with 5" cheeks, not the 4. PS, at 15 I was using a double bridle. I didn't know there were age limits. Lol.
 
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