I see a lot of this certain bit/bridle in the Big Eq- it appears like it has two rings and it has double reins. Does anybody know what that bit or bridle would be called? I was looking it up and it looks like it might be a “Pelham” but I’m not sure? Thank you!
The horse is wearing a bit called a pelham bit which is a bit that usually is ridden using two reins. One rein controls the bit portion in the horses mouth, or the snaffle part, then you’ll notice there is what is called a shank on the outside of the bit and a lower ring the second rein is attached to. That rein is the curb rein. Pelhams are what we call leverage bits, they can increase the amount of control a rider has while requiring less movement from the rider at the same time. This makes them optimal for riders in the big-eq who have super skilled hands and can apply leverage as needed (and who are often on large and very powerful and very skilled horses). The longer the shank is on a pelham, the more leverage provided by the curb rein.
2 Likes
What hairy said ^^
It comes in handy for an eq horse because the curb rein - the bottom rein, linked to the smaller ring at the end of the shank - works to engage the curb chain that goes under the horses chin. This creates pressure up through the Bridle onto the poll, allowing the rider to bring the horse back quickly or collect. In an equitation class, this is helpful because of the questions on the course - rollbacks, unrelated lines, transitions - that require a quick response and solid communication between horse and rider. A skilled rider should rely mainly on the snaffle rein to engage the bars of the mouth like any other bit and use the curb rein when wanting that extra leverage.
Just like any bit, it is not the kindest in uneducated hands. I think more often than not some eq riders put their horse in a Pelham because it’s “the look” and not because the horse needs it or the rider truly knows how to use it. 
2 Likes
