Pelham mouthpiece questions!

[ChasseurSauteur]

Hoping you guys will indulge another bitting question! I’d like to temporarily bit up my horse for the excitement of the hunt field. He goes in a loose-ring double-jointed lozenge snaffle for all other activities - looking to move him up to a pelham so we can help curb (lol) his enthusiasm a little while he is settling into hunting. Wondering what mouthpiece I should try - I tend to prefer a mullen-mouth pelham, but I’ve only ever ridden him in double-jointed bits. Please share your recommendations for a ‘starter’ pelham for a horse who is usually soft-mouthed but gets freight-trainy (and a bit rodeo-y!) going fast in company.

**PS, yes, ultimately this is a training issue, but I’d like to be able to survive the antics in order for the training part to work! :lol:

[blondewithchrome]

The beauty of Pelham bits is that they come in all sorts of mouthpieces! Try the same mouthpiece if you like how he feels in it. Happy mouth also makes a nice soft single jointed option.

https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/shires-doublejointed-pelham-with-lozenge-21114?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=nb_shopping_tack_mbl_3p&utm_campaign=&utm_term=2109840402&gclid=CjwKCAiA-f78BRBbEiwATKRRBJN3QSfjQwkj1zbKcBYd4mL2-j0e04_VYxgWAiTlWCC5nLboACkxnhoCvbMQAvD_BwE

[ClassyJumper]

I would definitely started with a tom thumb pelham (shorter shank). Single jointed are easy to find, but there are probably double jointed out there. I prefer a curb rein, but if you will need a running martingale you will have to use a converter.

[Mulligan314]

My loose ring, double jointed snaffle guy loved a rubber mullen mouth tom thumb pelham.

[Pennywell_Bay]

I switch back and forth (I show) my horse in a Tom Thumb single joint pehlam. I use the chain tightness depending on his attitude. I typically ride him at home in a 2 joint roller D ring.

[CrestRelease]

@ClassyJumper

I would definitely started with a tom thumb pelham (shorter shank). Single jointed are easy to find, but there are probably double jointed out there. I prefer a curb rein, but if you will need a running martingale you will have to use a converter.

What’s the reasoning behind this? I’ve used a curb rein with a running martingale for decades without any issues.

[trubandloki]

I personally would start with the same mouthpiece that your horse currently goes well in. With two reins you can ride like you typically do using the snaffle rein and then add a litte more if needed by using your curb rein.

[ClassyJumper]

@CrestRelease

What’s the reasoning behind this? I’ve used a curb rein with a running martingale for decades without any issues.

I guess you are correct, it can be done. I would prefer a converter in an xc/hunt situation, less to get tangled up, but that is personal preference.

[trubandloki]

@ClassyJumper

I guess you are correct, it can be done. I would prefer a converter in an xc/hunt situation, less to get tangled up, but that is personal preference.

To me it makes more sense to have two reins in a situation like the OP describes. The snaffle rein is for most of the time and you can engage the curb rein when the horse needs a little bit more.
A converter muddies things.

[ChasseurSauteur]

Thanks all! Will be going the Tom Thumb route and not a big fan of converters, prefer to use each rein independently. Double-jointed pelhams (that aren’t $$$) are tricky to find around here so am trying to decide between a single-jointed and mullen option. Thanks everyone for your ideas!

[trubandloki]

Oh, I see you are in Canada. I was going to point out that SmartPak has one that is reasonable, but Smartpak does not deliver to you.

[hcsb]

If you can’t find a Tom Thumb Pelham with the same mouthpiece as your snaffle, this pelham might be worth a shot. I have this same Centaur brand mouthpiece in a 2-ring elevator. It has worked very well for horses that get a bit strong or heavy on their forehand. Plus, the roller discs give the horse something to play with, and I’ve found it helps on a few horses that would lock their jaw and get heavy. Bombers also makes a similar mouthpiece (I have a type of 2-ring and a type of gag by Bombers with the mouthpiece), but the Centaur is much cheaper. I believe this particular pelham is around $50 in the US. You can check out all of Centaur’s bits on their website. Not sure about shipping to Canada. Here’s a link for the Centaur pelham at Dover:

https://www.doversaddlery.com/blue-s…RoCJqoQAvD_BwE

I also own a Centaur double jointed pelham with a slightly longer shank than a Tom Thumb that has a fairly thick mouthpiece as well. Might be something else to take a look at it.

I suggest riding in 2 reins so you can ride mainly off the snaffle rein but can go to the curb rein when you need more whoa. You can definitely use a running martingale with a pelham with both the snaffle and curb reins.

Good luck on your bit search!

[IPEsq]

If you can’t find the same mouthpiece, then I’d first go with a tom thumb single joint pelham. I have found them to be pretty well accepted and helpful for the emergency brakes you are looking for.

[Bogie]

I recently had to “bit up” my mare for the hunt field because she has gotten a bit too keen and my arms are about three inches longer than they used to be. I ended up with a waterford pelham. A very short shank, just enough to give her something to think about. I like the Waterford mouthpiece as it’s hard for a horse to lean on and she likes a bit that drapes across her tongue.

[Bogie]

I recently had to “bit up” my mare for the hunt field because she has gotten a bit too keen and my arms are about three inches longer than they used to be. I ended up with a waterford pelham. A very short shank, just enough to give her something to think about. I like the Waterford mouthpiece as it’s hard for a horse to lean on and she likes a bit that drapes across her tongue.

[Moneypitt]

We found the hard rubber Mullen mouth Pelham worked really well for one horse that could get strong and pull. Surprisingly.

[ChasseurSauteur]

Ended up going with a single-jointed rubber Tom Thumb which did the trick! (And now we’re awash in snow and mud, so back in the indoor for the foreseeable future, anyway )