Snaffle to Pelham

[Maclynky]

I have just changed my horse from a french link snaffle into a rugby pelham. With the snaffle he would lean on the reins and drag himself along on the forehand. With the Rugby Pelham he is really settled works well from behind and is light and responsive in a good outline.

I am delighted that he is going so well in the new bit. My RI suggested changing to a pelham as I may be doing some showing classes this year and wanted to get used to double reins.

My only worry is that I don't want to rely on the pelham to get him working properly especially as I also may want to do some local dressage competitions.

Pls can anyone tell me whether riding in the pelham will teach him to carry himself properly and could this be transferred back to the snaffle in due course or should I have got him going well in the snaffle (tried for 18mths) before I changed the bit to a pelham.

Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[KateWooten]

Yes, it seems to work perfectly well. I had big fat stroppy mare in the pelham for a month or so, and was very careful to only use the curb rein to ask her to relax her jaw... everything else stayed on the snaffle rein. We're back in the snaffle now, for no particular reason other than I felt like it ... and the improvements she made while in the pelham are still there, and we're still building on them.

[Maclynky]

That's great thanks for your reply.

[Bronya]

I ride Mysti in both during the week. The days we do pure schooling, we use the pelham, the days we relax more or hack out, we use the snaffle. Now she has learned a lot from using the pelham, I can get the same improvements in the snaffle, but to some extent it is harder if she's not in the mood. She does know what I'm asking for now though, so that makes it a lot easier.

[LesleyR]

It might be worth trying a different snaffle when you switch back too. My pone used to lean like crazy in a French link but is much better in a single jointed JP snaffle

[Maclynky]

good idea will try that. Thanks for your help

[puzzles]

many riders - especially top people - ride their horse in a few bits, for jumping/dressage, or one at home and another when competing: could this sort of system also work for you?

[Maclynky]

possibly. I switched back to the snaffle yesterday as my friends daughter was riding him. He seemed to be a lot better in the snaffle and didn't do his normal giraffe impression.

[Lil_Wig]

My boy used to lean a little when in a snaffle

I changed to a Waterford and he went like a dream :)

He's now back in a snaffle

It depends what works for individual horses and swapping their bits now and again can be a good thing - I pop the Waterford back in occassionally :)

Glad to hear that yours is going well in both bits :)

x

[puzzles]

yeah; it's what works fro the individual that's what counts
x
long may it last!