I had a bit of a cry today...Pelham

[Joyscarer]

Well I finally tried Joy in the new bridle and Cambridge Pelham bit.

I knew exactly what I wanted to do which was to try her just on the top rein first and then gradually get used to holding the 2 sets of reins so that I could gradually introduce the curb action when needed.

Well me being me, I funked it and chickened out! :o

I had bought a bridle off eBay but the quality was so crap that there was no way that it was going near Joy so I went to my local tack shop during the week to buy a better one. Whilst I was in there I got talking and explained what I was doing as my next step with Joy. Well E told me exactly what I wanted to hear which was that I should go with roundings to make things simpler for me.

I know that roundings don’t allow you to give clear rein aids and separate out curb action from bit action but so wanted roundings to be right answer for both Joy due to my lack of confidence in myself that I bought them. :rolleyes:

This evening I got the whole kit and caboodle adjusted being careful to adjust the leather curb so that it came into action at what I thought was the right time. I had read that this would be with the Pelham at about 45 degrees but Heather Moffat recommends at 30 degrees so I thought I would split the difference. I made sure the leather curb was held in place over the chin groove by the lip strap. All well and good and I felt ready to have a go at riding after Joy had been happy with the bit in her mouth for a while. :)

Well we didn’t get very far. I don’t ride with much of a contact anyway but the roundings meant that every time I put a feel on the reins the curb always came into action. Joy hated it after only a couple of hundred yards she flung her head about, opened her mouth and flapped her tongue about outside of her mouth which I have never seen her do.

So I stopped her, remained there for a beat or two to let her calm down and then turned back for home. On the way back I rode purely off weight aids and no rein which Joy is fab at thank goodness but she kept over bending and trying to stick her head between her legs. It really upset me to see what I had done to her and I’m in tears now just thinking about it again.

I can't understand how in such a short time I got such a dramitic reaction given the gentle contact I did have up til then.

When we got back I took the roundings off and put the curb reins on as I had originally planned. I didn’t feel confident to manage the 2 sets of reins and didn’t want to upset Joy anymore than I already had so I rode off the snaffle rein and left the curb rein dangling. What a difference!

Joy was so much happier in the Cambridge mouthpiece than the French link she has been ridden in and without the curb action she settled straight away.

I didn’t go for much of a contact so soon after upsetting her with the roundings employing the curb but I am looking forward to seeing how she goes on a decent contact and whether she accepts this. All being well after that I’ll gradually start to introduce the curb when needed with timing and weight controlled by me rather than with the roundings that apply the curb all the time.

Watch this space for more updates! Despite all that happened tonight I have a good feeling about all this mouthpiece.

Comments as always are welcome. :)

[blues mum]

Well I finally tried Joy in the new bridle and Cambridge Pelham bit.

I knew exactly what I wanted to do which was to try her just on the top rein first and then gradually get used to holding the 2 sets of reins so that I could gradually introduce the curb action when needed.

Well me being me, I funked it and chickened out! :o

I had bought a bridle off eBay but the quality was so crap that there was no way that it was going near Joy so I went to my local tack shop during the week to buy a better one. Whilst I was in there I got talking and explained what I was doing as my next step with Joy. Well E told me exactly what I wanted to hear which was that I should go with roundings to make things simpler for me.

I know that roundings don’t allow you to give clear rein aids and separate out curb action from bit action but so wanted roundings to be right answer for both Joy due to my lack of confidence in myself that I bought them. :rolleyes:

This evening I got the whole kit and caboodle adjusted being careful to adjust the leather curb so that it came into action at what I thought was the right time. I had read that this would be with the Pelham at about 45 degrees but Heather Moffat recommends at 30 degrees so I thought I would split the difference. I made sure the leather curb was held in place over the chin groove by the lip strap. All well and good and I felt ready to have a go at riding after Joy had been happy with the bit in her mouth for a while. :)

Well we didn’t get very far. I don’t ride with much of a contact anyway but the roundings meant that every time I put a feel on the reins the curb always came into action. Joy hated it after only a couple of hundred yards she flung her head about, opened her mouth and flapped her tongue about outside of her mouth which I have never seen her do.

So I stopped her, remained there for a beat or two to let her calm down and then turned back for home. On the way back I rode purely off weight aids and no rein which Joy is fab at thank goodness but she kept over bending and trying to stick her head between her legs. It really upset me to see what I had done to her and I’m in tears now just thinking about it again.

I can't understand how in such a short time I got such a dramitic reaction given the gentle contact I did have up til then.

When we got back I took the roundings off and put the curb reins on as I had originally planned. I didn’t feel confident to manage the 2 sets of reins and didn’t want to upset Joy anymore than I already had so I rode off the snaffle rein and left the curb rein dangling. What a difference!

Joy was so much happier in the Cambridge mouthpiece than the French link she has been ridden in and without the curb action she settled straight away.

I didn’t go for much of a contact so soon after upsetting her with the roundings employing the curb but I am looking forward to seeing how she goes on a decent contact and whether she accepts this. All being well after that I’ll gradually start to introduce the curb when needed with timing and weight controlled by me rather than with the roundings that apply the curb all the time.

Watch this space for more updates! Despite all that happened tonight I have a good feeling about all this mouthpiece.

Comments as always are welcome. :)

Blue seems to prefer a pelham to any other bit, I ride him in a nue schuel (sp?) mullen mouth.
I used to use two reins, but now use roundings mainly when I hack, except when he needs reminding.
I also got a really soft leather curb chain, which makes it much milder.
It is just the bit that suits his mouth most I think.
I know she does not like contact from your previous posts,
maybe that you find she will with this bit just on the snaffle rein ? and not need the curb rein at all,
or use the curb rein with no chain for a while

[blues mum]

ps didnt been to put your whole post in mine, hit wrong button sorry

[carthorse]

Give it a try with two reins, it really does make a huge difference. Jim is good in a pelham with two reins but unrideable in roundings because he finds the constant curb action totally unacceptable. The one time I tried roundings (& he was well used to the pelham at that point) I ended up in A&E with a concussion - he tends to spell things outto me in ways that can't be misunderstood :rolleyes:

Do you have an instructor who could give you a few lessons on using double reins, ideally with them riding Joy in it first? If they ride her while you watch you can make a better assessment of how she reacts to it & won't end up wondring if the problem is the bit or you struggling with double reins.

I forgot to ask - why are you trying a pelham? If you've already explained elsewhere then just point me in the direction of that thread & I'm sorry for asking you to repeat yourself!

[Mehitabel]

this is an extremely common reaction to a curb bit the first time, especially with roundings. when petal was making the transition from novice to open classes and needed double reins for turnout, i did't think she had enough room i her mouth for a double so tried a bunch of different pelhams. in the first introductory session i got a bloody nose, split lip and bruise on my cheek from her objecting to it! every time i took up a contact she nutted me in the face, in several different pelhams. she can't take the combined action of a pelham even with two reins, she needs the 'separability' of the double bridle.

so don't be discouraged that joy didn't like the roundings, and don't feel guilty. she had a few minutes of discomfort before you changed the bit - if that's the worst thing that ever happens to her she's a lucky horse. you had no way of knowing she would react like that, and you took steps at once.

[Em 1]

It really upset me to see what I had done to her and I’m in tears now just thinking about it again.

Don't be upset - she'll forgive you:) You've listened to her which is the most important thing to ridden horses I think:o:)

If you want a compromise between roundings and two reins you could try riding with split/divided reins:

http://www.thetackshed.co.nz/20349x_Aintree-Divided--Sup.gif

When I first got my horse he was in the most horrendous bit I've ever seen:eek: I popped him in a pelham with divided reins. He was happy with the mouthpiece and I had the bottom 'rein' really loosely adjusted so it only came into play if I really needed it. It was a good compromise until I learnt to ride with two reins:)

[Ace87]

I would persevere with 2 reins, see how she likes it. I ride Ace in a mullen mouth pelham with double reins and metal curb chain - he goes beautifully, not over bent, I don't have to yank his mouth (I have had to to stop him in every other bit) and very responsive. He seems happier and more alert when hacking out and LESS SPOOKY!!

I hope Joy continues to like her bit and don't worry about her not liking the roundings, you have to try it and it was only for a short while! Looking forward to hear how you're getting on x

[palmerlover52]

Ach, *hugs*

Seems I got here a bit late, but I really agree with the others....the second you saw she was in discomfort, you made damn sure that you stopped that, and that's really good, she's lucky to have a mum like you y'know :)

Don't stress about it, and I'd give it a try with the double reins next time you feel up to it :) Good luck :)

[KateWooten]

I don't think you will have much of a problem getting used to the two reins - I think you'll find them a joy to use. As aware as you are of your body, your hands ... honestly, I think you'll do fine. Just keep on riding on the snaffle, and every now and then pick up the curb and have a play, while she's settled, just getting your hands right and figuring out how much hand/finger movement you need to engage the curb. Havr you been studying the pictures of how to hold them, and practicing with the bridle hitched up to the dining room chairs already - or is that just me ? :o

[Joyscarer]

Thanks guys :)

I have decided to go with the 2 sets of reins and only using 1 set until I feel entirely happy carrying both.

I'll gradually introduce the curb when I feel ready, Joy is already going better in the solid mouthpiece from what I can gather from the second little outing tonight but it's very early days yet.

It has always been my intention to get the instructor I had last year in for lessons once the weather is a bit more predictable as I was very happy with her.

Having said that I am getting more and more into Heather Moffat's way of thinking so I might fork out and get someone affiliated with her to come and assess the situation.

Having read some of the experiences above it sounds like I was very lucky that Joy was so forgiving with me tonight. She is a good girl.

I'll aim for little and often rides to accustom us both to the new bit and see how she accepts a contact with this mouthpiece compared with the french link.

Thank you all so much for being there for me. I'll post an update on our progress.

[lollipopgirl]

Which is your local tack shop, Joyscarer? And who is E? I think I might know who you're talking about.

[Yann]

What sort of curb are you using? If it's metal try swapping it for an elastic, it can make a big difference :)

[Joyscarer]

What sort of curb are you using? If it's metal try swapping it for an elastic, it can make a big difference :)


It's a leather one Yann.

I had been toying with swapping to a pelham for a while and knew I didn't want a chain.

Do you think an elastic one would be better? :)

[Joyscarer]

Havr you been studying the pictures of how to hold them, and practicing with the bridle hitched up to the dining room chairs already - or is that just me ? :o


OMG yes! :D

Does it make a difference? NO!

I'm going to be all fingers and thumbs for a while so tomorrow night I'll make sure I have her bridle her and i'll practice with them at home :o

[Yann]

Not used a leather one but I know Rio objected to metal but didn't to elastic, might be worth a try if you want to go down that route?

[Joyscarer]

Not used a leather one but I know Rio objected to metal but didn't to elastic, might be worth a try if you want to go down that route?


I think for now I'll stick to riding on the snaffle and trying to find a way of working out who my hands belong to :rolleyes:

Once I get to the stage where I am ready to start with the curb then I'll reassess again.

You never know the change of mouthpiece might be enough without the need to use the curb :D

[MelanieD]

Do you need a curb bit for competing or just trying it because some horses like it better than snaffles? Not ever horse loves a pelham, I've got one that's not at all impressed, so unless you need a curb for competing a different mouthpiece 'snaffle' might work better and let you avoid double reins.

There's magic bits, which are basically cambridge mouth on loose rings so might be ideal if she likes the mouthpiece of the pelham but not the curb. I've got Mia in one of those and its one of very few bits she doesn't hate.

I've also got a hanging cheek myler with a small port which seems nice and coblet seems to approve of. Its slightly ported and doesn't do the nutcracker thing so can work nicely for a horse that isn't totally happy in a normal snaffle.

[Joyscarer]

Do you need a curb bit for competing or just trying it because some horses like it better than snaffles? Not ever horse loves a pelham, I've got one that's not at all impressed, so unless you need a curb for competing a different mouthpiece 'snaffle' might work better and let you avoid double reins.

There's magic bits, which are basically cambridge mouth on loose rings so might be ideal if she likes the mouthpiece of the pelham but not the curb. I've got Mia in one of those and its one of very few bits she doesn't hate.

I've also got a hanging cheek myler with a small port which seems nice and coblet seems to approve of. Its slightly ported and doesn't do the nutcracker thing so can work nicely for a horse that isn't totally happy in a normal snaffle.

something along those lines would be my next option. I will continue with the pelham as planned and see how introducing the curb goes. If she really doesn't get on with the curb then I will change away from the pelham and keep the Cambrindge mouthpiece if she likes that.

My thoughts on this is that introducing a curb may be a similar process to bitting a horse in the first place, she needs to learn how to accept it and that it isn't going to kill her! So I'll give it a chance but I won't be flogging a dead horses so to speak. If it isn't working we'll look at something else.

She did have a hanging cheek french link at one stage but that made no appreciable difference to her so a hanging sheek is something I have already ruled out. :)

I'm now on a game of trial and error. I thought saddle fitting was bad enough but this bit malarky is doing my head in :rolleyes:

[blues mum]

I have exactly the same malarky.:D
I was taught to use two reins but re taught my self by the curb rein just attached a cavesson noseband of a snaffle bridle.
that way I could make sure I could use two reins out hacking with out the curb having any effect.
Once i had mastered it i introduced it to blue

[chickyd444]

jasp was a a bit reluctant first time i ride him in his - i think its becasue it all new and there are different pressures going on around poll and what with the curb - nightmare, but after a day or two he had completely settled and was going far better than i had ever experienced, someone suggested to me that roundings were a good idea - needless to say they are now in the bin ! it is difficult with two reins but the more you practise the more it becomes like second nature !remember to seperate the two reigns with your little fingers. your hands almost become like really gentle vertical rocking horses (bit of a crap description but thats what they are like) :p , i started off by riding soley on the top reign and as and when i required it i would gently pick up the lower reign, i wouldnt be without it now.:p well done for having ago joy scarer and give it time, take it at joy's pace , and dont listen to those that offer you roundings on your first time out - not good . :)

[Joyscarer]

I don't have the time at the mo to post a full update but will do so late on this evening.

Suffice to say that I took Joy out again today and she was a different horse.

No doubt about it in my mind, she doesn't like jointed bits.

[keds mum]

I don't have the time at the mo to post a full update but will do so late on this evening.

Suffice to say that I took Joy out again today and she was a different horse.

No doubt about it in my mind, she doesn't like jointed bits.

My previous horse only went well in a straight bar/ mullen mouth and had a history of being very strong. He was never like that with me when I changed bits. I like you, kept trialling and erroring until I found what suited him. I don't know why you want to use two reins (I don't think you said?) but I showed in a rugby pelham mullen mouth and he went well in that.

You shouldnt feel upset because you obviously have the 'feel' and sensitivity to be aware of what you are doing. Unless we try different things/techniques we wouldnt learn much:) Riding with two reins gets easier with practice!:)
For the last five years of this much loved horse's life I rode him in a thin coppery/brass french link and he went beautifully in it.

[Joyscarer]

Forget the housework, the house looks like a bombs hit it, I thought I do a full update instead :D

I had another go out hacking with the new Cambridge Pelham today and it just confirmed my thoughts after yesterdays brief bob round the block minus the curb action.

The reason I wanted to try other bits is not because of any control issues, I just felt that I was never going to get Joy accepting a contact on the French link. The pelham was going to be for that little bit extra when I needed it. :)


Having owned Joy for 1 ¼ years I have never got her working as well as she did for me today. Neither did my RI last year when she was schooling her for me. It just wasn't working out. Today it’s like she suddenly understood what I had been wanting and was actually able to do it for me. :D

I started off by riding out as I normally would on a long rein and encouraging her to relax and stride out in a good rhythm. Her walk is her best pace. Then when she was warmed up I gradually began to introduce more contact with the snaffle reins, I had tied a knot in the curb rein and didn’t even hold it.

At first the contact mucked up her free flowing walk and I felt her back stiffen, her stride shorten and it knocked her rhythm out as I tried to find the right balance between hand and leg. :o

Once I had relaxed into it a bit more and started doing less thinking about me and more reacting to her things dropped into place! Joy started to quit the nose poking thing and then all of a sudden I felt her nose come in, saw her neck soften and relax and her forehand lighten. I know how it feels now and what to aim for!

I have never had such a stunning result as that even when the RI rode her in the school. Mind you this was in straight line on a hack, it’ll be interesting to see how she manages in the school when she will need to think more about her balance because of the corners plus the softer surfact. That’ll be harder for her. I’ll stick to the hacking for now to build up her fitness and muscle and because she is more relaxed on a hack.

Obviously she couldn’t hold it for too long but needless to say I had a little cry again when it first happened and she tried her heart out for me bless her. I made sure to alternate between work and the old style riding of stretching long and low as I don’t want to suffer aches for doing the right thing and be put off trying next time. So now it's short hacks for us to encourage her to work correctly rather than longer hacks we had been doing for fitness.

I can’t possibly describe the feeling I got that first time it all came together but know it is down to the lightening of the forehand and power steering effect so I have heard so much about. All the reading in the world still didn’t prepare me for what I would feel that first time on my own horse knowing I was responsable for training her to it!

Of course I’m in tears again just thinking about it (just to be utterly predictable!) but I know we can do this now and I am going to be good enough for her to progress.

OMG the change in us both was just amazing. We did have some ‘this is too hard’ moments but I carried on encouraging her and then when I got a brief bit of what I wanted I went back to the long and low again.

Now it is going to be a case of building up the amount of time she can work properly as the right muscles develop. More importantly though I need to keep a check on me to ensure I keep her relaxed through her back and engaged and then asking for the front end rather than just having a pretty front end and no back end. :rolleyes:

Not only that today took a lot out of me too as having been used to happy undemanding hacking and had given up on the schooling back last year when it felt like things were never going to happen so I haven’t had to work or concentrate that hard for ages! :p

Given how today went I don’t think I am going to need the curb action because Joy was so willing to give me what I asked for whenever she could. She is such a good girl. :cool:

I’ll keep working just on the snaffle rein for the next couple of weeks and if things continue as they have today then I will look at the options available that don’t have a curb.

As it stands at the moment I feel confident that we have at least found the right mouthpiece even if I’m not sure about the need for the curb. This was only ever going to be used when I needed it so if I don’t need it then why have it? Having said all that this was just a walk and trot hack with some shoulders fore and leg yelding thrown in. I will stick with this until I feel I have her trot sorted out (her worst pace) and then I will progress to canter.


Fingers crossed for the coming weeks but things look positive at the moment. Of course there is plenty of time for her to try and think of some evasions and bad habits! :D

[palmerlover52]

Yay! :) See, now aren't you glad you persevered :) Joy's such a sweetheart, definately seems like you've cracked it with a straight bar rather than a nut cracker action :)

Sheesh, you and your crying you big softy :p

N'aww, I'm all happy for you :D

[horsesforever]

Wonderful! :D Isn't it just so nice when you feel it all come together even for a moment. Glad that Joy obviously likes her new bit!

[Joyscarer]

Yay! :) See, now aren't you glad you persevered :) Joy's such a sweetheart, definately seems like you've cracked it with a straight bar rather than a nut cracker action :)

Sheesh, you and your crying you big softy :p

N'aww, I'm all happy for you :D


Cheers hun. :)

Now if you could have a go with it and see how you get on just confirm or otherwise my thoughts on it I'd be ubber grateful :D

I praying for some dry weather so I can take her out everyday, little and often and make sure the last 2 goes weren't a fluke :o

[lizzy]

I'm following your thread with great interest as I am just trying a Myler pelham on Adam. At the moment though I am trying with roundings. He hasn't got a frisky and/or braking problem but needs to be lighter in the hand and needs to work his back end more than dragging along on his forelegs!

[chickyd444]

woop woop ! well done ! :p

[Joyscarer]

I'm following your thread with great interest as I am just trying a Myler pelham on Adam. At the moment though I am trying with roundings. He hasn't got a frisky and/or braking problem but needs to be lighter in the hand and needs to work his back end more than dragging along on his forelegs!

Ooo how did you get on with the roundings and the curb?

You heard how Joy reacted and for me so I'm steering clear of the curb for a bit! I don't think we'll need it but stand ready to be prooved wrong!

[lizzy]

Sorry I have been away reading your other posts ref this pelham thing.

I was advised by a Myler lady to use it as he needs to take up the contact more in order to use his back end. I was very put off by the fact that it was a Pelham as I have heard that they are severe etc etc. That was last September, I used it twice and was scared of socking him in the mouth with it and so I haven't used it since.

Last week my RI was doing a lecture on mouth conformation and chose Adam as the guinea pig. She said that she could now see why the 'Myler bird' :rolleyes: chose the pelham as he has a very small mouth and large tongue which is probably why he won't take up a contact as the snaffle is constantly socking him in the mouth. So we are trying it again.

I will probably try the double reins eventually, but he seemed OK with the roundings and the curb action and he does seem to like the straight bar - but - I did think he looked ready to go up the Mall (we are an army stables) with all that ironwork in his mouth. I will let you know how I go on, but I know that I will have to spend a lot of time working on my wobbly hands!

[Joyscarer]

Well it sounds like you might be on the right track then.

I'd love to hear your updates too.

I have read a lot of posts about bits and bit recommendations but rarely have I seen an in depth thread about the introduction and progress or otherwise of the horse and its and the riders reactions to the change.

Being an emotional soul and happy to talk the hind legs off a donkey I thought I do this thread and be more than candid about my own weaknesses and the additional problems that throws into the mix :)

[Mareish]

I have a NS pelham for Lily (bought due to it having the same lozenged mouthpiece as my snaffle)

I had roundings on until I was so told off on here for doing so that I bought split reins.

I cannot hold two reins easily with my left hand due to surgery.

Havent tried them yet but they look awesome.

Worth a go maybe if like me two reins are not a great option ?

Jo

[Joyscarer]

It's funny you should mention that because a lady at my other local tack shop said the same thing.

If all continues like it has been on the twice I have ridden her on just the snaffle rein then I'll be looking to buy a bit without the shanks anyway.

Still, early days yet and who knows what evasions time will bring :D

[Mareish]

I just bought a hanging snaffle (for one rein use) to try too s an in-betweeny :p

[Joyscarer]

I had Joy in a hanging cheek french link for a while but it didn't make any difference to her way of going. Don't know if that was indifference to the hanging cheek, the french link or both!

Cue trawling through the bit sites to see what's out there.

[Mareish]

What about that new Peewee bit or a Kimblewick (one reined pelham), some go lovely in a kimblewick, my welshy hated it though but went fine in the pelham

[palmerlover52]

Cheers hun. :)

Now if you could have a go with it and see how you get on just confirm or otherwise my thoughts on it I'd be ubber grateful :D

I praying for some dry weather so I can take her out everyday, little and often and make sure the last 2 goes weren't a fluke :o

Dry weather? Someone's got high hopes I think :rolleyes:


And :eek: That should be an interesting one, never held double reins before :eek: If I have a nervous breakdown and they end up wrapped around my thigh or something, I take no responsibility :p

*totters off to look at diagrams of double reins* :rolleyes:

[MelanieD]

Great! Quite often once they've got the idea they'll be able to do it in any bit they're happy in so you may be able to quite easily go back to some kind of snaffle if you feel you don't need the curb.

Do you know if it was the hanging cheek or the french link that she didn't like when you tried that? A hanging cheek is a bit similar to the pelham on the snaffle rein, just without any curb at all, so can work well as long as you get a mouthpiece that's approved of by pony as well. My coblet hated her french link hanging cheek but liked her single joint JP HC ok and seems really happy in a myler mb04 with hanging cheeks (which was actually meant to be for my other horse when I bought it!)

[Ruskii]

Just to had my two p :D

Sorry if this isnt strictly on topic or off the subject that your talking about. :o

But our TB x gets ridden in a Vulcanite Pelham with roundings and an elastic curb. So there's not much curb action there and when it is, it's no way in hell as strong as a chain. The horse absolutely detests links and he was doing dressage and SJ quite well til his teens and doing well at it. He has a lovely forward going pace and really lightens up forehand in it, so if your worried about the curb chain, would you consider trying an elastic one ? :)

Sorry again if my post is not quite what you had in mind or if I have mis read any of your posts I skimmed through it :o

PS Joyscarer are you going to Rockbourne Fun Ride ? I thought I'd go along and have a look so if your going I could say hi ? :)

[Joyscarer]

And :eek: That should be an interesting one, never held double reins before. If I have a nervous breakdown and they end up wrapped around my thigh or something, I take no responsibility :p

*totters off to look at diagrams of double reins* :rolleyes:


Don't bother with the double reins.

All the success we have have on the last 2 outing is with my just holding the snaffle rein and having the curb rein knotted and left lying on her neck ;)

Not very nice to look at but it worked!

Do you know if it was the hanging cheek or the french link that she didn't like when you tried that? A hanging cheek is a bit similar to the pelham on the snaffle rein, just without any curb at all, so can work well as long as you get a mouthpiece that's approved of by pony as well.


Given that there was no change in her way of going for either the better or worse I think it is the jointed mouthpeice she objected to.

My thoughts are to give this a couple of weeks and then swap to a Cambridge with loose rings (is that what is known as a magic bit?) and see if we can get the same results.

If not I'll try to find a hanging check one.

I have been having a hunt on the internet tonight and the problem I have is finding options in the Cambridge mouthpiece. There are more options in the mullen mouth but I am loathe to try yet another mouthpiece if this type is right for Joy.

Just to had my two p :D

Sorry if this isnt strictly on topic or off the subject that your talking about. :o

But our TB x gets ridden in a Vulcanite Pelham with roundings and an elastic curb. So there's not much curb action there and when it is, it's no way in hell as strong as a chain. The horse absolutely detests links and he was doing dressage and SJ quite well til his teens and doing well at it. He has a lovely forward going pace and really lightens up forehand in it, so if your worried about the curb chain, would you consider trying an elastic one ? :)

Sorry again if my post is not quite what you had in mind or if I have mis read any of your posts I skimmed through it :o

PS Joyscarer are you going to Rockbourne Fun Ride ? I thought I'd go along and have a look so if your going I could say hi ? :)

Well at this early stage it looks like any sort of curb action is just going to be overkill but it is early days yet and she may learn a few evasions. My thoughts at the moment are to stick with the same mouthpiece and try to find the right options re the rest of it but steer clear of anything with a curb action because I don't think she needs it.

As for Rockbourne, I'd love to go but would be dependant on my friend for transport so it all comes own to if she still wants to go and whether we can get some loading practice in before then. I need to get an answer from her one way or the other and come back to you.

If I'm going I'd love to try and meet up there. :D

[MelanieD]

My thoughts are to give this a couple of weeks and then swap to a Cambridge with loose rings (is that what is known as a magic bit?) and see if we can get the same results.

Yes it is a magic bit. And it is magic as well :) The only bit my youngster has ever been happy in!

It is possible to get cambridge mouth kiblewicks which can be similar to the snaffle rein of a pelham if you don't use the bottom slot and only needs one rein. But I think kimblewick and magic bits are the only cambridge mouth bits I've managed to find apart from pelham, and I did do quite a bit of searching a while ago I wanted something with cheeks for my little brat but they don't seem to exist.

[Pink's lady]

I had pretty much the same with Kalli. Went nicely in the snaffle rein, got really upset with the curb on too tightly. A rounding gives you pretty much half and half snaffle/curb- that's WAY too much!:eek:

I, like Melanie D, spent ages looking for the cambridge mouth in other bit types and gave up:rolleyes: I wanted a full cheek version and the closest I came was a kimblewick without the chain on.

Instead I put her single jointed eggbutt back in and she's now decided she likes that just fine:rolleyes:

[Lucyad]

Glad you seem to have cracked it! Keep us posted on how you get on - it's very interesting as it is similar to my current predicament.

On the two rein thing, having had now about 5 lessons in the pelham, I am finding them much easier to get to grips with, and can now let go one hand to shove my glasses up my nose, and get them back in the right order! :o

I just let the curb rein go for hacking as well though. Oh, and I find that even when schooling I just need a little bit of curb to remind him that it is there, then I can keep it very very loose and ride, as you do, primarily off the top rein.

[Pink's lady]

On the two rein thing, having had now about 5 lessons in the pelham, I am finding them much easier to get to grips with, and can now let go one hand to shove my glasses up my nose, and get them back in the right order

not just me then:o That didn't metion glasses sliding down your nose when I was taught to ride:o

We too just had the curb rein loose, and eventually just took it off completely.

[Joyscarer]

We too just had the curb rein loose, and eventually just took it off completely.

Could it be that it is a combo of the solid mouthpice and the poll pressure Joy likes? She was used to be rubbing her poll to bring her head down when I was teaching her bridling manners :)

Do I bother swapping bits yet again to see if the loose ring would surffice or stick with what is working? Would split reins be an option? Could you adjust them so that you never put pressure on the curb?

Do I have to use a curb on the pelham at all or would it look too daft without and make my lack of knowledge a beacon for all to see?

Would I be better going for the kimblewick (not the slotted one) and leaving the curb off that?


So many questions :rolleyes:

[Lucyad]

If you can borrow a hanging cheek with the same mouthpiece as your pelham, I would give it a go. I would think that split reins would always transfer some weight onto the curb - with practice you WILL get used to two reins, honestly!

I wouldn't bother about riding in the pelham with one rein as long as you and Joy are happy though - who cares what people think? My RI was quite happy for me to hack to his yard in my pelham with one rein, and he added a rein for my lesson.

[Pink's lady]

ooo, decisions.

She has clearly shown you she doesn't like the excessive curb/poll pressure the curb rein gives. And thats she's happy with the amount of poll pressure no curb gives - which, if the curb never comes into play, is the same as a hanging cheek.

I would just get rid of the lower curb rein and ride without, but keep the curb strap and the lip strap, otherwise the shanks swivel. If anyone comments sound knowledge about and confuse them by mentioing loads of other bits types you've tried and rejected;)

The curb is really an 'optional extra' on pelhams - they'e only there is you need it, to bring the head in. If you don't need it, don't use it!

I would stick with the pelham until you've got her going nicely, consistantly, in it. Then think about swapping back. Magic bit's aren't expensive (£6 off ebay) so you could try them, or get a non-slotted kimblewick 2nd hand. But that's for the future - stick with what's working now.

[Pink's lady]

If you can borrow a hanging cheek with the same mouthpiece as your pelham, I would give it a go

They don't exist:(

[Joyscarer]

They don't exist:(

Exactly, I wasted a lot of time Googling for one last night :(

I wonder why they don't exist :confused:

[Lucyad]

Hmm... gap in the market there, for any bit manufacturer's reading!

[Daffy Dilly]

They did exist, because I've sold some before now. Unfortunately they were not made by any of the bit companies over here - Cottage Craft etc. You could always email Equestrian Clearance and ask if they still have any lying around. I think they were mostly 4.5", but you might get lucky.

You could probably get one made through somewhere like Fylde Saddlery although it would be expensive - I had a pelham made to order once, but that set me back £80. Daffy doesn't like it either. :o

[Pink's lady]

Really? A low port hanging cheek? I've seen the occasinal mullen mouth but never a cambridge mouth.

not sure I can justify spending £80 on a bit:o

[Daffy Dilly]

Yup. I think they were about £20. She might be willing to have some more made, who knows?

We were actually quoted £50, which wouldn't have been so bad. I was gutted though when I saw one exactly the same on ebay a couple of months later for £16. :mad:

[Joyscarer]

Well for the time being I'm going to stick with what has worked.

tbh I need to get quite a few rides under my belt in the coming weeks before I can come to terms with the changes in Joy :eek:

I didn't ride today, had a few finishing touches to add to my new waterproof tack shed and all the mess to clear up from building it.

[Joyscarer]

Well for the time being I'm going to stick with what has worked.

tbh I need to get quite a few rides under my belt in the coming weeks before I can come to terms with the changes in Joy :eek:

I didn't ride today, had a few finishing touches to add to my new waterproof tack shed and all the mess to clear up from building it.