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Post by nikki on Sept 18, 2009 2:25:07 GMT
What is the mildest form of pelham that is available? I have a novice pony who goes very sweetly in a snaffle but realise that when he starts competing in open classes should move up to having 2 reins. For the time being don't really want to go down the road of having 2 bits in his mouth so would like to purchase a mild pelham (and yes I am familiar with the expression that the bit is only as good as the rider's hands.....)
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Milliesmum
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Post by Milliesmum on Sept 18, 2009 6:44:57 GMT
I would say it depends on how the pony takes to it. The obvious things are the shortest shanks you can find will lessen the poll action, and a rubber or elastic curb is milder than a chain. You can get jointed mouthpieces which IMO just confuse the action of the bit altogether, and various other ones which may suit the shape of your pony's mouth. Some ponies take kindly to vulcanite or rubber mouthpieces, but for others its too much of a mouthful. Sorry I'm probably not much help, but the best answer I suppose is try a few and see what he likes. And if your jockey isn't used to handling two reins, then perhaps a couple of lessons so that the curb rein isn't used as much. Perhaps a bit bank or similar might be a good option.
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Post by nikki on Sept 18, 2009 8:11:05 GMT
Thanks MM. I always use a leather curb chain on my current open pony with a happy mouth jointed pelham but was not sure how mild this is for a novice pony going into opens next year. Are you saying that you prefer the straight bar pelhams? I personally would be quite happy to keep using the snaffle in open classes but know that with open M&Ms most of them are in either pelhams or doubles and I am worried that the judge would mark me down for this.
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Milliesmum
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Post by Milliesmum on Sept 18, 2009 8:16:41 GMT
I think every pony is different and I wouldn't say I don't like a certain bit because if it's what your pony goes well and happily in then it's the right bit for you. I just think that the jointed mouthpiece kind of fuddles the action of the curb if you know what I mean, but then if you've got a pony that responds to the poll action but isn't keen on the curb, then it might be right for you! To me a straight or mullen mouthpiece has a more distinct action, so it really depends what you need the bit to do! Sorry, not very good at explaining but I'm not mad honest!!!!!
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Post by barefoot on Sept 18, 2009 8:26:08 GMT
I'm a big fan of the rugby for M&M's and all my connies have gone very well in it. I have been put down a place at a big show before for having a snaffle on, the judge said he went foot perfect in it but it was the wrong look in an open class, so down to 3rd I went lol! Good idea about the bit bank!!
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Post by sophieandcallum on Sept 20, 2009 21:52:11 GMT
Agree barefoot, my boy is very fussy with snaffles but goes wonderfully in a rugby pelham!
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Post by Guestless on Sept 20, 2009 22:28:27 GMT
I don't like rugby pelhams (and thankfully neither do my ponies!) as I think they look untidy (even with the extra sliphead on them) - each to their own though.....there are plenty of people using them. I prefer something more simple like a cambridge or hartwell pelham. I don't think there really is such a thing as the "mildest" pelham though - you could try replicating the mouthpiece you think your pony goes best in, but a pelham will still sit differently in the mouth so it won't necessarily carry forward with that type of bit. Most of my ponies are in hartwell pelhams (chunky mouthpiece with a port) and I tend to ride off the top rein and have my curb rein fairly loose.....if I'm honest, most of them are happier in that than in their snaffles
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Post by nikki on Sept 22, 2009 7:42:26 GMT
Thank you you all for your input. Very interesting - sort of confirmed what I thought Guestless - that pelhams are not mild bits. MM will definately go for a non-jointed pelham - maybe a hartwell pelham as just googled that and it seemed very suitable. When I have used a pelham previously I hardly touched the bottom rein and I imagine it will be the same with the novice.
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Post by Guestless on Sept 22, 2009 8:55:13 GMT
Thank you you all for your input. Very interesting - sort of confirmed what I thought Guestless - that pelhams are not mild bits. They're not the mildest bit, but not are they the harshest so I wouldn't be too worried about using one. Main thing with all bits is that they are only as harsh as the hands that hold the reins.
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Post by sophieandcallum on Sept 22, 2009 9:14:30 GMT
Thank you you all for your input. Very interesting - sort of confirmed what I thought Guestless - that pelhams are not mild bits. They're not the mildest bit, but not are they the harshest so I wouldn't be too worried about using one. Main thing with all bits is that they are only as harsh as the hands that hold the reins. Couldn't agree more plenty of damage can be done with a e.g french link snaffle, in harsh hands
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Post by Jolie on Sept 23, 2009 12:11:31 GMT
Every horse / mouth is different both my ridden ponies go in pelhams, one a simple jointed and the other wears a mullen mouth, neither of them can wear the others bit, if I put the mullen mouth in the one which wears the jointed bit he goes so far behing the bridle we nearly go backwards. But yet both of them can easily be ridden in a snaffle, again different snaffles one in a french link and the other a plain snaffle.
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sarahp
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Post by sarahp on Oct 10, 2009 17:01:49 GMT
Being old I learned that a horse went from a snaffle to a double when schooled enough - not because it is stronger, but because it is more precise in action with the two bits having different actions. Any pelham was regarded as a compromise to be used on a horse whose mouth would not accommodate the two bits of a double, and that a rugby was the most successful pattern of pelham in mechanical terms. And putting a joint in it completely negated the whole point! As I said I'm old and feeling very bah humbug today!
Having had my rant, all ponies vary and it's a question of trial and error. Of course the above applied for people who were actually riding their animals "in anger" so to speak, not just trying to fit in with the prevailing requirements of the show ring.
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Post by hopeteam on Oct 15, 2009 18:47:54 GMT
All Ponies are different, but you could use just a small thin jointed one at first, and could even wrap some latex or flavoured latex round so it is compfy.
Also, if a young jockey is not used to two reins, you could get split reins for the moment.
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Post by crimson on Dec 11, 2009 9:12:10 GMT
I have just been reading through this thread with interest as I intend to get my PBA going in a pelham/double type bit in time for next season.
I have just brought her back into work so it will be a few weeks yet before I try her in a new bit.
She is currently ridden in a loose ring, french link, fulmer snaffle.
From reading what others have put here I am thinking the first bit I will try is a straight bar, with a slight port, rugby pelham.....does this sound about right?
Any recommendations for a good bit bank?
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Post by tabbyx on Dec 11, 2009 21:13:11 GMT
my pony loves his french link pelham and his french link fulmer snaffle yet hates his straight bar pelham and jointed wilkie! goes lovely in both bits but is a bit of a tosser in the other 2
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Post by sageandonion on Dec 11, 2009 21:26:53 GMT
sarahp your view of the double is not 'old' at all. I think very few riders are themselves schooled enough to use a double correctly (I regret I am one of them though I am working on my shortcomings). A double bridle used correctly will be much milder than any pelham so long as the pony's mouth allows. To be honest, nowadays there are such sophisticated bits around, most ponies should be able to accept a double.
nikki if you are more competent than I, I would stick with your snaffle as your pony goes nicely in that a forego a few rossettes if that is what it takes, until your pony is physically and mentally mature enough to try a double bridle.
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Post by crimson on Dec 12, 2009 17:47:07 GMT
Hmmm, so should I go to a double then? rather than a pelham? Mine will be a 7 year old next season, although only shown lightly up to now hence only just ready to (hopefully!) make her mark this coming season!
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sarahp
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Post by sarahp on Dec 13, 2009 10:14:50 GMT
It all depends on the conformation of your pony's mouth. My old D wasn't happy in one so I showed her in a rugby pelham, but the double was the first port of call.
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Post by sageandonion on Dec 13, 2009 16:50:22 GMT
crimson, are you practised in riding in a double? If not then (only my opinion), I would speak to my dentist, check he is happy with the plan, then ask my instructor (a) whether he thinks pony is schooled to the level to accept this and (b) to then ride the pony for the first few occasions and then to give me some lessons with the double.
Perfect would be to borrow a double if at all posible. If you have a jeffries bridle you can just buy a sliphead to turn your snaffle bridle into a double.
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Post by crimson on Dec 13, 2009 20:25:43 GMT
Hi, yes I have ridden lots with a double/pelham when I used to work full time with show horses in a former life.
I don't have an instructor unfortunately, credit crunch one factor and when I have looked for someone in the past I haven't found anyone decent who would come to me (no transport).
I think I am going to go down the bit bank route. She is due her jabs and teeth check soon so will ask vets opinion on mouth space and decide if I will try pelham or double then.
Thanks for the advice!
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Post by sageandonion on Dec 16, 2009 14:13:38 GMT
As you have worked with showhorses and are experienced using a double or a pelham then you obviously know what you are doing so I would just go with your own instincts.
I do think horses look better in a double so long as they are happy to accept two bits.
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Sanday
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Post by Sanday on Dec 16, 2009 22:48:05 GMT
I have always used a mullen mouth pelham to show my heavyweight hunter he loves it an is light as a feather, he is quite sensitive in his mouth he never took to a double bit
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Post by sophieandcallum on Dec 17, 2009 11:06:36 GMT
I now ave my boy in a mullen mouth pelham too as the rugby had too much movement, he now goes even more sweetly than before it's fab
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