Pelham & Double Reins - too severe for novice rider?

[Kim W]

Heather, I have watched your video and read your book with much interest.

However, being a novice I am not entirely convinced about using a Pelham bit and double reins. I have been told that the Pelham is the most severe bit and I am afraid that if it and double reins are used incorrectly this could cause the horse more pain. Surely if I pulled too hard in the mouth with a Pelham, this would be worse than a sock in the mouth with a snaffle?

Also, I have just started jumping and wonder if you would advocate double reins & pelham for this purpose. Other, 'experienced' showjumpers do not appear to use double reins and again I am worried that I might sock my horse in the mouth and a Pelham would hurt more than a snaffle.

Please forgive my ignorance on this subject, I do not mean to question your methods and have learnt more through reading your book than from any other source. I just want to be 100% certain about changing my bit and reins before I actually do it.

I have taken on board many of your other recommendations and they have all worked lovely, but as you are geared more towards Dressage than Show Jumping I just wanted to clear this matter up.

Hope I haven't offended you and look forward to your advice.

Kim W

[Heather]

HI Kim,

Don't worry I am not offended! The information you have been given is typical of people ignorant of the correct use of the Pelham. I advocate a hard rubber mullen mouth Pelham, often with just an elastic curb chain. This will do less damage even in the hands of a less experienced rider, than a badly handled snaffle.

Most snaffles are jointed. Try putting one atached to a pair of reins, around your shin, and get a friend to pull back on it, at first gently, then stronger, then saw from left to right, and finally give it a good backward tug, as most riders do when giving a horse a 'sock in the jaw'. Not so mild is it. I have never had anyone last more than 10 seconds, even when just putting it round the forearm. The shin is actually more sensitive, more like a horses mouth. Just try it and se what I mean!

The Pelham when used correctly will relax the lower jaw, the hrose's head lowers and the whole horse is easier to control without strength or force.


The mullen mouth Pelham has no nutcracker joint like the snaffle, and in conjunction with an elastic curb is a very mild combination indeed. But remember, any bit is only as mild or as strong as the hands that use it.

If you go back to the book and read carefully through the section on using the bit to relax the lower jaw, you will be quite safe to experiment in a Pelham. I would not advocate a novice rider using it for jumping though.

REally no rider should be jumping until they have a good seat on the flat first, as you will inevitably be left behind over a fence and sock the hrose in the mouth at some point until you learn how to slip the reins. And you can only slip the reins if your seat is firm and in balance anyway.

I used to show jump before my back was too shot (from too much mucking out, not falls!) and I mostly teach eventers, not dressgae riders. I find the latter too closed minded and not nearly so much fun as eventers!


Heather( ducking the missiles being hurled at me by dressage riders!)

[Mossy]

Heather
Do you think that dressage riders seem less open-minded because dressage can be done "by the book"? If you wish to achieve X Movement you use Y aids. The tack is specified by the competition level. I appreciate the skill in advanced dressage and it is poetry in motion to watch when done properly but it is a more prescribed discipline than eventing will ever be. Eventing is a true partnership and the rider has to trust the horse, think on the horse's feet and adapt to the ground and the situation more. By this I mean no disrespect to competitive dressage riders at all. Good flatwork and balance is the basis of all riding.