Roundings

[Yann]

Have just started getting regular lessons and schooling our 10 year old cob, who from what we know hasn't been ridden much previously and whilst willing and a pleasure to ride only knows the basics.

I couldn't resist trying the usual hard rubber pelham and elastic curb combination, and have found that she does prefer them, she rounds up much more easily, is less resistant and gets a nice wet mouth, though it's still very early days yet.

My daughter who also rides her fancied trying the two rein combination but found it too much of a handfull, as she is still quite small. I popped some roundings on too see what would happen and she was able to get the same result.

I'm aware roundings are supposed to turn the pelham into a 'nothing' bit, just wondered what the main disadvantages of loosing the option of a separate curb action are? Also if horse and rider appear happy with this combination would there be any reason not to continue with it? Just curious:)

[Maria]

Hi Yann

A Kimblewick might be better for your daughter to use - if you want to get the benefits of the curb action with only one rein
Maria

[Georgia]

Why do you want to use a strong bit in the first place??? How do you know a rubber loose ring would not have the same effect? Or even a fulmer? They are good for greenies.

[Yann]

Having read the book and absorbed the ideas I was giving the EE / pelham thing a try to see if it worked for us. The theory is that subtle use of the curb action encourages the horse to relax its jaw and drop its head, on first appearances this does seem to work for us.

The hard rubber mullen mouth doesn't appear to be a particularly strong bit when used with an elastic curb chain, Rio goes surprisingly well in it, appears happy and comfortable and doesn't object to the curb. It might even end up being our everyday bit at this rate:rolleyes:

When we tried it I had her going round on a single snaffle rein to start with, and she was unable to get Rio to soften, the curb action is definitely the thing. She will do the same in her loose ring happy mouth but tends to be far less settled and evade more.

We aren't in need of brakes either, Rio has excellent ones, this is purely something to assist schooling.

[Mazpup]

A bit is only as strong as the hands that use it....

[cha cha]

I have been through all the bits on all different horses and ponies that we have had in the past .. The only one ever to work on all was the KK Sprenger Ultra .. It is really is good bit .. I will never change .. I like the turning factor it produces .. You can turn the horse without the bit going through the other side of the mouth .. I feel it has a more responding effect as to all other bits I have tried .. That is why I like it so .. ;)

[Hels]

Personally (and take this with a large pinch of salt because I am far from informed) I rode Carrie in a Pelham with roundings for a while because I just could not manage two reins, and she went very well. Unfortunately she was on working livery and they decided to use the Pelham in lessons as well (even though we had agreed it wasn't a good idea) and she started to overbend and get behind the bit - probably because she was getting hauled about sometimes. So I guess you should watch out for that.

Anyway, she's now in a French link and going better and better. I think the Pelham did help her to understand about softening and dropping her head - even though it was misused!

I expect I will try her with two reins again sometime now my riding is improving overall, but probably just sometimes rather than all the time.

[Yann]

I'm not that informed either but know enough to see if something is working, roundings and all. In a very short space of time we now have a horse who will drop her head and keep it there on a light contact in walk and trot without fiddling or sawing. We also get a much wetter mouth than we ever did before.

She's just as comfy in it hacking out on a loose rein so it's now our bit of choice:)

[Monty]

Hmmmm, I WONDER!
Seren is fairly sensitive in the mouth, and has got the general idea about dropping her head. But sometimes, when she decides at the halt that she would rather not, I tickle (and it really IS a tickle) the reins with my fingers to ask her to drop her head, and instead of fighting with her head, like Willow used to, she either rein backs, or goes sideways, or anything to avoid it. I don't think there is a big issue here, I think it's just Seren saying, "no not today, thank you." She came to me in an eggbutt with a french link, which is what I've kept on her.

Why did you start using the Pelham on Rio, Yann, in the first place?? Was she resistant, clueless, or what??? I'm just wondering if it might work with Seren. Clueless, she most certainly is not, but she does resist a bit. I too would find two lots of reins too much, my hands are tiny. Anyone any ideas, or should I just perservere?? Either way it would only be a temporary arrangement.

[Yann]

Rio had no idea about dropping her head, doubt she had ever been asked, or if she had she had been forced down as any kind of meaningful contact made her raise her head.

When we started having lessons a bit of bloody minded persistence and lots of leg finally got the penny dropping but she did a lot of mouth opening, dropped behind and was generally a bit uncomfortable. I tried the pelham with two reins purely out of curiosity as I've already posted, with instant improvement and much less evasive behavior. Ditching the second rein still got the same result.

Don't get me wrong, we haven't got a dressage horse overnight and there's still miles to go, but we have made a better start than I could ever have imagined. I think the poll and curb action are the key to it, seems to make it clear what you are asking for. Well worth a try, roundings and all.