Hi all,
I have noticed that Pelham bits seem to be really popular in the US, at the same time in Europe (where I am from) I do not see them that often, I would even say quite rarely and then in the higher classes (Grand Prix level).
I would like to know what is the exact benefit of a Pelham bit and why is it so commonly used in the US (where I am from snaffle bits are the most popular)?
Hi, Theresa,
I will speak to my use of the Pelham. It lets me have a snaffle with better breaks when I need them. My TB is quiet, with a snaffle mouth, but sometimes needs more whoa if things become “festive”. Also, my sport-hunters-does not allow a dropped noseband or gag/lift bit. The Pelham gives me that authority if I need it.
I’m going to hypothesize that the popularity in the US is strongly related to the popularity of hunters here vs. in Europe. Pelhams are legal in hunters, while many other leverage bits are not allowed or are considered unconventional. Then they become something that a lot of people and horses become familiar with, so it catches on more widely. Someone else may be able to speak more about why the pelham is legal and conventional.
I get a little more stability in a pelham vs. a snaffle. I also don’t get as much finesse. Most horses don’t strongly object to a pelham, so it’s generally a safe experiment. It just depends on the horse I’m on and what we’re doing whether it works compared to a different bit.
i’ve seen plenty of pictures of those in the UK sporting pelhams, tom-thumbs are popular as well. Usually on a little hairy Thelwell-esque pony sporting a tiny tater-tot rider.
Interesting. Having spent the last two years in Europe with fei show jumpers I saw a lot of pelhams. Where are you in Europe at grand prixs where you didn’t see pelhams regularly???
Have been riding with pelhams most of my life and I like all they have to offer in regard to control. I like to ride with a light hand and this helps. I have not gone with the converter as I like to use two sets of reins with it.
Interesting that pelhams are making a comeback in the US. I haven’t been to a hunter/jumper show in maybe 4-7 years, and almost all I saw back then were D-ring snaffles.
Unless it was an open show with HUS classes, and then a lot of the bits were kimberwicks.
Back when I was a kid doing hunt seat, we had a lot of ring snaffles and rubber pelhams with or without double reins. Never roundings/converters.
I think it’s silly when some parents and trainers said in recent years that kids’ hands were too small for double reins. Kids’ hands aren’t any smaller today than when I was a kid.
[QUOTE=SweetMutt;8825875]
I’m going to hypothesize that the popularity in the US is strongly related to the popularity of hunters here vs. in Europe. Pelhams are legal in hunters, while many other leverage bits are not allowed or are considered unconventional. Then they become something that a lot of people and horses become familiar with, so it catches on more widely. Someone else may be able to speak more about why the pelham is legal and conventional.
I get a little more stability in a pelham vs. a snaffle. I also don’t get as much finesse. Most horses don’t strongly object to a pelham, so it’s generally a safe experiment. It just depends on the horse I’m on and what we’re doing whether it works compared to a different bit.[/QUOTE]
I am in the US - West Coast and Pelhams in Hunters are really a no no. They are legal but the idea of having a soft D bit in the horses mouth is thought to be more advantageous in Hunters.
I do see the Pelhams in the Equitation ring a lot more.
The first time I rode my giant 18 hand/1900 lb horse in a mullen mouth pelham I felt like I was cheating LOL… It was such a perfect bit for him. You can use your snaffle rein like normal but could adjust the horses head with the pelham rein. It was all with a soft feeling hand and I like it. It is a great bit on horses that like them. Really nice for a horse that has a good mouth but can get strong - some brakes (and can be used softly) and balance if you need them. 
Ah, yeah, good point. You can tell I’m showing the jumpers these days.
[QUOTE=doublesstable;8826516]
I am in the US - West Coast and Pelhams in Hunters are really a no no. They are legal but the idea of having a soft D bit in the horses mouth is thought to be more advantageous in Hunters.
I do see the Pelhams in the Equitation ring a lot more. QUOTE]
While I agree that 99% of equitation rounds are done in the Pelham, (at higher levels) there is nothing necessarily “soft” about what lies behind that “D”. As long as you have what “looks like” a D on the outside, it could have barbed wire in the horse’s mouth. I’ll take my double-jointed Pelham with the copper lozenge in the middle, anytime, compared to some of the barbaric wire stuff I see between the "D"s in the hunter ring.
I agree that this is the prevailing wisdom in the Hunter ring (always better to go in the “softer” snaffle bit), but I’ve honestly always found this reduction a little silly. Why are we kidding ourselves? Just because the horse’s bit has a bit fat Dee cheek doesn’t mean the mouthpiece can’t be a double-twisted, ported, corkscrew lawn sprinkler.
If if it were up to me, I’d make no assumption about the softness of the bit based on its type (snaffle or pelham), I’d only be interested in how soft and happily the horse went in it. Still, I think that assumption (snaffle=mild bit, willing Hunter horsey) persists, and snaffles certainly remain the bit of choice on most American show hunters.
ETA: aaaaaaand I didn’t read orchid’s post right above mine. Basically, “what she said.” :-/
[QUOTE=SweetMutt;8825875]
I’m going to hypothesize that the popularity in the US is strongly related to the popularity of hunters here vs. in Europe. .[/QUOTE]
Hunters are very popular in the UK, I think, just not the “hunter/jumper” variety that exists only in the US, AFAIK. Show-ring-only “hunters.” UK hunters are actual hunters. I believe they are shown in a double bridle, but I’m not sure about that.
I assume from the posts about D-rings having all sorts of mouthpieces that h/j shows in the US don’t have bit checks, unlike dressage shows.
Nope. No bit checks at hunter shows.
Rule re: bits…
[QUOTE=lmlacross;8827917]
I agree that this is the prevailing wisdom in the Hunter ring (always better to go in the “softer” snaffle bit), but I’ve honestly always found this reduction a little silly. Why are we kidding ourselves? Just because the horse’s bit has a bit fat Dee cheek doesn’t mean the mouthpiece can’t be a double-twisted, ported, corkscrew lawn sprinkler.
If if it were up to me, I’d make no assumption about the softness of the bit based on its type (snaffle or pelham), I’d only be interested in how soft and happily the horse went in it. Still, I think that assumption (snaffle=mild bit, willing Hunter horsey) persists, and snaffles certainly remain the bit of choice on most American show hunters.
ETA: aaaaaaand I didn’t read orchid’s post right above mine. Basically, “what she said.” :-/[/QUOTE]
I have been riding Hunters for 35 years or so and all the barns I have been at use snaffle type Ds - Never seen the barbaric stuff you guys are talking about…
That’s sad that you have seen that…
For horses that are super heavy headed and hard to get to “lift” I think they are a godsend. Even if the horse has a soft mouth, there are rubber pelhams that still give that elevation and extra whoa without putting something hard or rough in the mouth. I rarely (if ever) see them in the hunter ring beyond local level shows. At A/AA level the only thing I see is D rings and the occasional full cheek.
That being said, I think most trainers are a little quick to throw a pelham on horses of any kind but most notably on equitation mounts. My last horse went perfectly in a three ring but trainer wanted to change to a pelham and he hated it. IMO a 2 or 3 ring elevator with or without an extra rein is just as effective on some horses!
It’s weird because any time I’ve foxhunted, I’ve used a Pelham. What’s wrong with using it in the ring?
I personally use a full bridle, rather than a Pelham, on my cob. He likes it infinitely better than a Pelham, and I am able to be much softer on his mouth. It definitely gets us some interesting comments though, because Pelhams are the norm. I work mostly off the snaffle, but it’s really nice for me to have the bit of extra whoa/finesse with the curb when things get strong/hairy, because I lack feelin in, and in turn have minimal use of, my left leg, so I struggle to effectively support him when things go sideways. I rarely need to use it, but when I need it I really need it! Haha
[QUOTE=SMRaven;8828305]
That being said, I think most trainers are a little quick to throw a pelham on horses of any kind but most notably on equitation mounts. My last horse went perfectly in a three ring but trainer wanted to change to a pelham and he hated it. IMO a 2 or 3 ring elevator with or without an extra rein is just as effective on some horses![/QUOTE]
2 and 3 ring bits are considered unconventional in the equitation ring so they are generally not used for showing. All of our eq horses that school in 3 rings and gags at home show in pelhams for this reason. They give you some leverage and finesse for highly technical tracks.
I showed in rated hunters at a very large AA show (TBird) and saw lots of Pelhams… Mine included! Big name judges and they didn’t give a rats patoote that I didn’t use a d ring. A good, soft, forward, flowing round placed well… Very well. If a horse is nice and soft in a Pelham (I use a rubber Pelham) I much prefer that be used instead of a harsher bit and harsher hands with a D ring
[QUOTE=doublesstable;8827966]
I have been riding Hunters for 35 years or so and all the barns I have been at use snaffle type Ds - Never seen the barbaric stuff you guys are talking about…
That’s sad that you have seen that…[/QUOTE]
Okay, I was being hyperbolic, clearly (given the multiple moupieces and addition of lawn equipment). But seriously-- you’ve surely encountered a hunter who goes in a corkscrew or double twisted wire, right? I can’t imagine it’s that unusual.
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