Pelham

[Nic]

We would like to show our M&M pony in a Pelham with double rens.(too small for a double bridle), now that my daughter has conquered most of the flatwork. At a local show recently we had conflicting advice on the reins, some say ride crossed and some say straight!
I was taught straight, ie the curb rein was on the little finger and only used sparingly. Is this correct/acceptable? I would have lessons for my daughter any way to teach her how to use the double reins, but I just wondered if anyone knew what would be best. She is really coming on in the showing classes and having read Heather's bit about Pelham encouraging the jaw to relax, I think this is what we need to progress to, as we are keen to continue the dressage comps too. The pony is quite young, 6, and everyone keeps telling me the rider has 'lovely hands'. Having won both her equitation classes recently (2 from 2) it must be true! so I feel confident in giving her the chance to move up to a Pelham (not constant use tho')

gone on a bit haven't i...........

[LindaAd]

This is interesting, Nic. When I learned to ride, many years ago, we were taught to have the curb rein outside, on the little finger. Most modern books tell you to have the curb inside, like Heather does. But I found a book published in the 40s that said beginners are taught to have the curb outside because it's easier to control. My instructor said I would be disapproved of if I turned up in the showring with the curb outside, but I find it far easier to control that way: because the snaffle rein is on the same finger as you would use if you only had one, and because the little finger is more sensitive and more independent than the fourth finger, so it's easier to be light with the curb.

In the pony club Manual of Horsemanship it says the two are alternatives, so I plan to carry on my way unless someone persuades me different!

[Heather]

Your instructor is right, showing has a lot of etiquette attached. There are several accepted ways to hold the reins, butI personally have never come across the curn rein being held outside the snaffle.I would stick with convention on this one, especially for showing. I also find the way that I advocate, which is how I was taught for showing years ago, is the easiest for most riders and also the two lower fingers seem to have more mobility.


Heather

[LindaAd]

Thanks for the reply, Heather. I still feel that it's logical to put the curb outside. With just one rein, it goes under the fourth finger, so with two reins, you keep the snaffle on the fourth finger and just add the new rein on a new finger. Switching it all round makes my head spin! I'm willing to try, though, if someone can explain why it's better. I don't show, so that's really a red herring.

[Nic]

Well we had the lesson with the pelham, and my daughter seems to have the hang of the reins. No resistance from pony - although she fairly spat it out when we took the bridle off, and had a good old chew on the bit when it first went in! My only concern is that if we do a lot of work in the pelham, will this affect her when she has to compete in a snaffle (ie in local dressage classes)? The owner (we have pony on loan) is not keen for us to use a strong bit, even though the pony can get strong - (sometimes mistaken for a stallion in a ridden class - is actually a sturdy mare!) Will it confuse the pony to work in a pelham and then ridden in classes in a snaffle?

[Heather]

Not usually, in fact the pony will probably go better in the snaffle for having been worked in the Pelham. Alternate the bits when schooling too, so that the pony is used to the feel of both.


Heather