Pelhams in Dressage Training

[Can_tFindMyWhip]

I noticed on Facebook that a certain “trainer” has started using a pelham. This trainer says that they are rotating it in their program along with a plain snaffle and a double bridle. They explained in a post that double bridles are just so heavy and sometimes they want “the weight of a snaffle with the control of a double.” Methinks they are missing the point, and that they just want a hand-brake.

Does anyone know of a reasonable explanation for a dressage trainer to be using a snaffle, pelham and double at the same stage in a training program?

[Tanny98]

lol I saw that too on their page. I’m with ya…

[pn]

Methinks the double is not meant for control, no?

[BigMama1]

No good reason that I can think of. If “control” is the issue then then the bit is not the problem

[Glyphica]

Granted I haven’t used many pelhams, but they don’t seem significantly lighter than the two bits used for a double. I’d assume that the metal type has more to do with weight than anything else. I guess I’m missing the point – a pelham to me seems like a double with less refinement (harder to separate the two bit “actions”). Also, if you need a “hand-brake,” then you’ve sort of missed the whole point of this dressage game.

Personally, I could see maybe using a pelham for a horse with an abnormal mouth shape or smaller sized mouth that physically doesn’t have the space for two bits, but is ready for the double bridle. Of course, that isn’t the case with this particular “trainer” (although he said he wasn’t a trainer in one of his recently deleted “haters-gonna-hate” videos – after offering to do free clinics again…).

[Can_tFindMyWhip]

The back story is, this trainer posted a picture riding in a double with the caption “Today was my first ride back since my injury…”

(Injury of undisclosed origin)+Bitting-up… Sounds like someone had a great fall. We all saw this coming.

[Glyphica]

[QUOTE=Can’tFindMyWhip;8935894]
The back story is, this trainer posted a picture riding in a double with the caption “Today was my first ride back since my injury…”

(Injury of undisclosed origin)+Bitting-up… Sounds like someone had a great fall. We all saw this coming.[/QUOTE]

That makes perfect sense. I didn’t note the timing of the double being right after his bad fall.

[Ibex]

It sounds like you have more of an issue with the trainer than the bit.

[skydy]

OP, that makes no sense. Since pelhams are not legal in competition I can’t imagine why any dressage trainer would use one in training.

I’ve seen Saddlebred trainers do it (but I don’t know why, I never asked…) anyway their training had nothing to do with dressage and the pelham might well have been a matter of convenience.

Any person even minimally involved in dressage is aware of the obvious differences between a pelham and a full (weymouth/bradoon) bridle, in the action and effect of the bit(s).

There are hollow bradoons and lighter weight weymouths, so “heaviness” shouldn’t be a factor.

I had a horse (not a dressage horse) who’s favorite was a full bridle but he could not handle mouthpieces that were large in diameter. He went fine in a sliding cheek weymouth and a fairly thin bradoon. Hated a pelham.

When you ride each horse,you have to learn to adjust your hands to the horse’s bit preference not make the horse adjust to your preference. That’s rather a training basic…

[MyssMyst]

I have seen pelhams used as a way to introduce a rider to riding with two different reins, or to help introduce a horse to curb action without adding both the curb action and second bit all at once. My gelding loses his mind when things change, so for him I’d probably consider starting with a jointed pelham to introduce the feel of a little leverage, then move to a mullen, and when he was ok with that… Go to a double. This is a horse who would completely panic if a second bit was added, no matter how well he was prepared. He’d also panic if you just introduced a curb.

What was posted isn’t at all how I’d think it was done, but then… Consider the source.

[Reynard]

A double bridle is only heavy for the horse when being used by a heavy handed, incompetent or inexperienced rider.

[fordtraktor]

I don’t follow whatever Trainer it is you don’t like, but I have zero issue with someone bitting up a horse a bit after it has had a break. I know that’s probably heresy here but sometimes safety outweighs whether the bit is dressage legal, IMO.

My own horse had a few weeks off after getting kicked – when I got back on him yesterday for the first time I rode in a Myler Combo snaffle with 2 reins. I prefer not to get bucked off. Plus the first day back it isn’t like you ought to be asking for a lot of real work anyway. loosening on a long rein and some gentle stretching, which you can do on the snaffle – but something more there in case Horse decides to play Rodeo Bronc and you need to get his head up. My horse was very good and I don’t think I picked up the second rein but I was more relaxed myself knowing that “insurance” was there.

[MysticOakRanch]

Lighter or not, a pelham is LESS metal in the mouth. Any horse, even with the best rider, takes a bit of time to adjust to holding two bits in their mouth. Some really struggle with it due to a small mouth, low pallet, etc. So for someone coming back to ride who is worried they may need a bit of leverage because their horse may be… A bit fresh? It may be a viable option.

And a pelham can be a great way to introduce a rider to the use of two reins.

Having said that - a bit as a training tool for the horse is all about a RIDER who knows how to use the bit. I don’t care WHAT bit it is, the rider needs skills. Even a plain ol’ snaffle can become a source of discomfort to a horse with poor riding.

Having said that, there is

[caper]

Okay we are speaking of the rider who shall not be mentioned here. NP

He would be best to try a Mullen mouth bit. I believe this bit is allowed in dressage.

He did mention he wanted more control! His lack of control is the fact that he has literally no contact at all with very slack reins. My German trainer called them washline. We were always reminded to keep our outside rein contact. He has virtually zero contact. He doesn’t realize that as he bounces in the saddle that jarring motion of his hands cause him to slap the reins every stride on that poor horse’s mouth. I guess she had enough and let him know.

He needs control now after he sustain a really hard fall where he got hurt. He posts about it on FB. Then as quickly as it goes up he removes it along with the comments.

I did capture the post about his fall because it was very educational and was warning everyone to wear a helmet. He had a photo posted of his scraped helmet and his damaged saddle. He was toss around like a rag doll and his spur lacerated the saddle. There was a huge tear near the back part of the seat area. He called it a broken saddle. He didn’t even know the name of that part of the saddle or he was just so traumatized.

Here is the post in full taken from his public FB. It explains his need for control.

[I]I was debating if I should make this public because I know how awful people can be. But I feel my experience can act as a warning, and possibly save a life. I have also received one offer from a potential buyer to come look at Carpathia to buy her. So please allow me to explain.
Yesterday afternoon as I rode Carpathia, she was acting a little different. Remember, I’ve been working with her for 3 months and during the summer, so with a change in weather, that can effect a horse’s mood.
Every day we ride flying changes, half pass at trot & canter, and 2-3 times a week we work on tempi changes. The horse knows her job. But yesterday she was out of character and a bit strong. I ignored this thinking she would calm down as the ride went on.
We rode a canter half pass to the left to the centerline. As a asked her to change to track right, she bolted! Now, for the most part she is an easy ride but occasionally the off-the-track Thoroughbred comes out in her and I’m used to it. But this was different.
She bolted and bucked extremely hard, and because I was being tossed around so violently, I broke the saddle! I was catapulted off of her landing on my left leg hitting my head hard on the ground! As I hit my head and heard that crack, all I could do was thank God I had my helmet on! ALWAYS-WEAR-A-HELMET!!!
I’m also grateful for friends being there to help me!

With the adrenaline still pumping through my body, as soon as I could stand up I got right back on her and rode the same exercise. She was perfect. So bottom line, you just never know with horses, and your helmet could save your life, or save you from a serious injury. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET!!!

As for my condition, I feel like I’ve been body slammed by Hulk Hogan LOL! My hips hurt and feel like a screwdriver is being jammed in it. I have this pain that shoots down my left leg, and my back is really hurting. I can’t walk! After not sleeping much last night, I’m going to the hospital. But I promise myself and my friends that as soon as I can walk again, I will ride again!

Carpathia shall remain in training with an exercise rider until I’m able to get back on her. What’s important to me is that we figure her out, why did she get like that? So out of character for her! But I would never put my name as a trainer on a sales horse, unless I 100% understood it’s behavior and personality and abilities. This is why she is no longer for sale.

Once I’m working with her again and we are back in full swing, we will be competing. After next show season we will list her for sale again.

Thanks for your support,
Nick Peronace

Ps: ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET!!!

[/I]

[fordtraktor]

I wouldn’t recommend a mullen mouth necessarily on a horse with that issue. A bolting horse will grab the bit and take off, a situation that is easier for the horse to do in a solid mullen bit – they can easily brace against them. I use mullens on very sensitive horses who need something secure to learn to accept the contact. Such as a horse who likes to curl. not a bolter.

Again I don’t really see anything wrong with using a Pelham in this situation, especially for a limited time. I have zero to say about NP, whoever he is, but I sure hope he’s done something more egregious than this to earn your disapproval.

[luvmyhackney]

Saddlebred people use them for variety and give a horse a break from the show bridle while still having a curb action, at least at my barn. They use a full bridle 1-2 X a week. Rest of the work is either jogging or snaffle or pelham.They are constantly rotating/changing bits. I use a pelham for trails, I like the curb for the OMG moments on a trail.

[Jealoushe]

[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8936383]
I wouldn’t recommend a mullen mouth necessarily on a horse with that issue. A bolting horse will grab the bit and take off, a situation that is easier for the horse to do in a solid mullen bit – they can easily brace against them. I use mullens on very sensitive horses who need something secure to learn to accept the contact. Such as a horse who likes to curl. not a bolter.

Again I don’t really see anything wrong with using a Pelham in this situation, especially for a limited time. I have zero to say about NP, whoever he is, but I sure hope he’s done something more egregious than this to earn your disapproval.[/QUOTE]

lolllllllllll

The horse does not do any of what he posted (half pass changes tempis etc). It probably spooked and he fell off is my guess. OTTBs are not usually bolters anyways!

This man is legit crazy and I wish he would stay the h away from these poor Tbs.

A riding lesson is what he needs.

[Tanny98]

An owner of a horse he was previously allowed to “train” momentarily, earlier this year shared this post with others to expose him.
He had a pretty nasty reaction to it

[MysticOakRanch]

All I can say after reading Caper’s post - is POOR PONY! My guess is, this horse is showing a strong objection to improper riding…

[caper]

Yes poor pony indeed! He didn’t even wait to recover. He was leading her around on crutches. Supposedly needed an MRI then a week or so later was so excited to be riding again and photos currently posted of him riding in running shoes. So excited he forgot his boots.

There he is in the double and the horse is not on the bit and he is attempting I think passage if memory serves me. He has his inside rein elbow sticking out in all photos. It is very painful to watch.

He desperately needs a ground person/coach but he likely can’t afford it but more importantly his ego is so big. He thinks he is mimicking the greats by low hands in his crotch with a broken line from elbow to bit. Plus it is a gaping rein and the horse is truly never through. He seems to think she has a dressage neck but shows a view that doesn’t show her topline. Her neck is upside down with a dip at the withers…no muscle.
He actually things his type of riding style is art like the great masters.