My pony transformed by the Pelham

[ZoeEnglish]

I realize this subject has been done to death, but I just had to write once more and sing the praises of this bit. After about three weeks of work in the Pelham, my Connemara/TB is a transformed horse. I feel so much more in control of her, she is much more happy and relaxed, our flatwork is just flying along, she feels bouncy and energetic and willing, I am no longer fighting and frightened...I just can't praise Heather enough for this. Today I worked her on the snaffle reins of the pelham only (tied the curb up and hitched it on her mane) and she was perfect. Yesterday we did some jumping (again with the curb tied up and pinned in her mane) and when she got a bit strong I took the curb back (CAREFULLY) and she was good as gold. Also, our communication is much better--if I am too strong on the pelham, she flips her head in warning to let me know--I have been able to keep my "feel" light and yet effective, adn I never worry that I am "ruining" her with a bit that is "too strong"--she wouldn't let me! It's a blooming miracle.

Bless you again, Heather. I NEVER would have dreamed of trying the pelham had I not read Enlightened Equitation. It is NOT a favourite bit over here in the US of A, but what do I care?

[Heather]

Hi Zoe,

So glad it is all working out with the Pelham. You just wouldn't believe the amount of flak I still get here for using it, despite the fact that I can transform horses often in seconds.

Luckily, there are open-minded organisations here. I have just been the guest speaker for the annual conference of the Federation of Mounted Police Instructors. Smashing bunch (not often I get taken out to dinner by 17 hunky mounted policemen!)to lecture (50 odd on the day) and lo and behold, the police horse that i used to demonstrate on was sporting a rubber Pelham!

Heather

[Gwenllian]

You ain't done it to death yet Zoe.Disabled riders simply DON'T use a Pelham, even if it's your legs that are wonky, some people seem to think we couldn't possibly work out the virtues of a Pelham bit all by ourselves, let alone work out how to use one! .Well after a word of encouragement from Heather, when Rosie, my Clydesdale X,was sleeping on the bit, instead of softening, I tried it.I worked it out with Heather's book balanced on Rosie's withers, and Wow! I just couldn't believe the difference.She softened in minutes.I've been getting heartily laughed at, but now that Rosie's got the idea and enjoying the attention her new outline is causing, she's doing it on the snaffle now too,(admittedly, for shorter periods, but she's only six)She looks so smart, and she's attracting a lot of complements and amazed glances....after all Clydesdales don't do dressage either.......do they??

[Wally]

Heather!

Where on earth did you find hunky mounted policemen from? All the ones I knew were 'orrible. ( Father used to be policeman, incharge of mounted lot)

I have to say there is a lot of predjudice about Pelhams which I have never understood. The mechanics of the bit are easy to understand so why all the melodrama? Our Fjord is about to get the Pelham treatment. I have high hopes.

I used to use one on my Icelandic and got good results, but it's an unpopular bit in Iceland and an illegal one for oval track competition so I had to change. He never went so well as in that Pelham.

[Mossy]

I may be way out of order here but i suspect that the prejudice against pelhams is due to ignorance. They are seen as a bit for brakes only, and only used with roundings as nobody at school level teaches sensitive use of the pelham with two reins. I have made strenous efforts round our way to find an instructor who will teach me on a school master and met with a total blank. [One BHS stables, not a million miles from Heather's farm, asked me why I wanted a pelham. I mentioned Heather's results and methods, and was told in a very patronising tone, that just because " it works for your friend the real experts would only ever use a snaffle". I would not dream of presuming a level of familiarity which does not exist and the lady's attitude was rude in the extreme and annoyed me intensely!]
If riders are not taught to use two reins, not only do they never learn the subtlety possible, but even if they are potentially talented enough to rise in the sport they never learn the techniques to enable them to do so. I think I may be suggesting the prescence of a cliquey closed shop - not a pleasant thought. However I was told by my ex instructor "I would never expect you to be able to be ride him - Moss - as well as I can"
Sorry to go on but self perpetuating ignorance due to predujice in any sphere annoys me intensely.

[Heather]

With regard to the 'hunky policemen', perhaps things have changed a bit since your Pa's day, Wally! Suffice it to say that there were a couple from Wales, one in particular from Cleveland, one from the Met, and one or two rather nice chaps from the Manchester and Lancaster constabularies!


Heather