I’m looking for a pelham alternative. I currently ride my horse in a straight bar rubber pelham with a rein converter and he goes great in it, but I can tell he doesn’t really like it. He’s really difficult to bridle when I use it and shakes his head when we are on course sometimes. I’ve tried a rubber mullen D ring and he feels a little strung out in them, so I am looking for something that provides the same feel the pelham does but is a little more comfortable for him. I was thinking maybe a jointed or french link rubber pelham would be better. I flat him in a french link loose ring and he goes great in that, but I need a little more bit when jumping 1.30m. Thanks in advance!
What about adjustable converters? You can adjust it so that the snaffle is the most in use. Like these: https://www.myselleria.com/P2448-pelham-leather-couplings-pariani
Alternative is two sets of reins so that you can control when you actually use the curb.
3 Likes
Have you tried a non-rubber (all metal) pelham? Maybe he would be more comfortable with a skinnier mouthpiece, like a french link which you said he seems to like (for example: https://www.victorycanter.com/French-Mouth-Pelham-with-Chain-centaur-458343.html)
3 Likes
Why are you riding with a converter?
7 Likes
i would first try a non-rubber version of your bit; the rubber one may just be too thick for him. Then if that doesn’t work, try a french link in a pelham. And maybe two reins instead of converter?
1 Like
Have you tried to learn how to ride in it without the converter? The converter changes how the bit is meant to work. If you do not have the skill set to ride with two reins, I would look into alternate single rein bits.
1 Like
My head-shaker doesn’t like tongue pressure. I’ve been using a Beris ported hackabit, but there are a ton of Beris ported options (as well as lots of other brands, although I’ve tried Myler, Happy Tongue, Blue Bomber and Trust and my guy seems to like Beris 🤷”♀ï¸).
1 Like
If you’re jumping a meter thirty I vote it’s time to put in your big britches and learn how to ride in 2 reins. Might not be the answer for your horse, but it’s definitely time.
9 Likes
meh, I know plenty of FEI show jumpers who ride in a converter, do what you’re comfortable with.
Second trying a narrower gauge mouthpiece in the pelham, or maybe the popocini harmony pelham.
5 Likes
Seriously…we also have two FEI horses who jump around quite nicely in a converted Pelham. People need to stop being so judgemental. If she’s jumping around 1.30 pretty sure she already has her big girl pants on.
If he likes the loose ring you could try a variation of it in a 2 or 3 ring…something of the Bombers variety might work.
7 Likes
Plenty of well respected riders use converters - McLain Ward comes to mind. Use whatever works for your horse (novel concept!).
My horse really seems to like mullen/straight bits and is also a head tosser - we used to ride in a bit similar to what you are using (straight rubber with a small port), and last year we switched to a leather pelham (in converters too - gasp), and it’s been magical. I wrap the curb in vet wrap to soften that action, not sure if that is something you’ve tried. I only use it for shows, and I get so excited to show just so I can ride in that bit. I love it SO much. I bought it from Sweet Billy’s on Etsy for like $65
3 Likes
Thank you to everyone who responded with their advice, and yes I do know how to use two reins 
I originally had him in the Pelham with two reins and switched to the converter to see if that would make a difference. Leaning towards trying the 2 or 3 ring and seeing if wrapping the chain on the Pelham works. Thanks again!
1 Like
I know you said you tried a rubber mullen D ring but have you considered maybe trying a Baucher bit? They have them with french link and also single joint.
Many horses who were Western broke initially simply don’t understand the direct, lip-based “signal” from any kind of snaffle. I have owned several of these. They consider it an annoyance at best, an insult at worst, and they will NEVER learn to flex and get soft to it, full-stop.
The rubber Pelham can be a nice bit, but only if your horse has lots of “room” at the bars of his mouth and enjoys carrying it, as it provides considerable tongue pressure without much release.
“Back in the Day,” we used the Kimberwick bit (straight bar with low port, D-rings for reins) with curb chain for most horses who weren’t “snaffle mouths.” It’s a very useful bit, especially for riders who don’t want the bother of double reins. It lies on the bars, minimal tongue pressure, some side lip pressure and virtually no poll pressure. We always considered it the “first step up” from something like an eggbutt snaffle.
Because they are not “fashionable” at the moment (mostly known as a foxhunters’ bit) in the show ring, they can be picked up for minimal money on E-Bay etc. Try it, you’ll like it! Respect without complication, functional “brakes!”
3 Likes
Have you tried the Acavallo gel curb chain cover? It made a huge difference on my horse for head flipping.
Maybe try the Myler version of the Pelham. My guy personally prefers the happy mouth Pelham over any other kind of Pelham.
Look for a pelham with a low port for tongue relief. You can wrap the smaller bits on the sides with sealtex if you need the softness.
I have nerve damage from an old riding injury that has left me with no feeling in my left leg. So I cannot simply close my leg to lift my pony on the landing if he goes to “celebrate” while jumping. He is also very sensitive about what goes in his mouth and will make it known in no uncertain terms if he doesn’t like a bit.
He HATED pelhams. I tried several, and it was not clear enough between snaffle and curb action for him and he got super anxious with one in.
He is so short-necked and built uphill that gags and elevators have the wrong action and I end up with a facefull of pony ears, haha. And he honestly doesn’t tolerate loose cheekpieces well either with how thick his lips are, and I can’t stand those rubber bit rings, haha!!
Going to a sharper mouthed snaffle wasn’t the answer because he would throw himself to the ground like a dramatic child if it felt too sharp. Mister princess won’t tolerate anything but a lozenge link snaffle or a very wide low port on a tiny shank curb.
I ended up figuring out that his preferred bridle for jumping is a double bridle, with his lozenge link baucher (a stubben) as the bradoon, and a short shank curb with a low wide port, lip strap, and elastic curb chain.
With this setup I can ride 99% off the snaffle, but if I need to lift him off his front end I can simply tweak my pinkies on the curb rein and he goes “oh! Right! Dad’s still up there, I better pay attention!” And I don’t have to haul on his face in a snaffle or get angry at him because I only have one functioning leg to support with. The two mouthpieces give him a super clear distinction between curb and snaffle signal, and there is a clear and immediate release of curb pressure as soon as I relax my pinkies. He’s happy, I’m safe, it works well!
I know doubles aren’t all that common in the hunters or jumpers, but they’re a useful bridle to consider sometimes 
1 Like
I agree about the double bridles. I hate the feeling of Pelhams, neither here nor there, and the fact that my fingers find it hard to distinguish the reins because they basically feel the same to me. There is one exception, the “Show Pelham” which has a loose ring snaffle just offset of the curb mouthpiece (like a Fulmer snaffle.)
But I LOVE double bridles. I have little difficulty feeling the difference in the bits, the horse I’m riding seems to really appreciate that the snaffle and curb bits are separate and have clearly different feels to the his mouth.
Nowadays when I pick up my double bridle a big smile breaks out on my face because I know that both of us will have some fun instead of ending up confused and frustrated.
1 Like
