I’ve read and heard a few different things, so I would like to go to the Final Authority and ask the hunting gurus of COTH:
What is the purpose of a lip strap on a Pelham?
Interestingly, I just bought a Pelham which has the loop on the shanks for the lip strap, but the curb chain has no link for it…
I always though a lip strap prevents the horse from trying to nibble at the shanks.
ETA: Interesting about the curb chain loops. Since the pelham has leverage action a curb chain prevents the bit from rotating too far and privides another pressure point. I never seen a pelham without a curb attachment.
I was told it keeps the chain in place, so it doesn’t slip onto the chin.
It is to keep the chain in place,from flopping around, keep it flat, and if it should become detached from the hooks it will still be attached to the bit.
I don’t understand how it would keep a horse from “nibbling on the shanks”. Most pelhams used on hunter and jumpers are very short shanked.
[QUOTE=Seal Harbor;5444978]
I don’t understand how it would keep a horse from “nibbling on the shanks”. Most pelhams used on hunter and jumpers are very short shanked.[/QUOTE]
It keeps my guy from doing it…I’ll try to get a short video sometime :winkgrin:
[QUOTE=sar2008;5444959]
I always though a lip strap prevents the horse from trying to nibble at the shanks.
ETA: Interesting about the curb chain loops. Since the pelham has leverage action a curb chain prevents the bit from rotating too far and privides another pressure point. I never seen a pelham without a curb attachment.[/QUOTE]
Sorry, I guess I wasn’t clear… there is a curb chain on the bit (actually, a really nice one), but the curb chain itself doesn’t have the extra link to run a lip strap through.
The lip strap is to prevent the bit from turning in the wrong direction.[ie,horse raises his head up the rider applys the curb rein and the bit turns forwards].
I’ve had horses actually catch their lower jaw on a shank with no lip strap while nibbling. Easier on a longer weymouth than a typically shorter pelham. The bit cocks over, and the end and ring can actually jam in behind their incisors. Which, will result in a very upset horse who may flip over, and who will, at the very least be uncontrollable until the shank is freed.
But, it’s a rather freak occurence, and it’s been ages since I used a lip strap. More likely to happen when the horse is standing around fiddling than when actually moving forward.
[QUOTE=SmartAlex;5445257]
More likely to happen when the horse is standing around fiddling than when actually moving forward.[/QUOTE]
That’s exactly what mine does. And since I sit on him and teach at the same time, we are standing around quite often 
A lip strap is to keep the curb chain from being lost if it falls off the hangers on either side of the bit.
[QUOTE=Seal Harbor;5444978]
It is to keep the chain in place,from flopping around, keep it flat, and if it should become detached from the hooks it will still be attached to the bit.
I don’t understand how it would keep a horse from “nibbling on the shanks”. Most pelhams used on hunter and jumpers are very short shanked.[/QUOTE]
I’d go with that.
Really. Truly.
A lip strap was to keep from losing hte curb chain - invented before anyone thought of pinching shut the curb hooks.
[QUOTE=Hunter’s Rest;5445791]
LOL! Nowadays, the fat chunky models are IMPOSSIBLE to pinch shut. I hoard old flimsy curb hooks!
Yeah, what is UP with that anyway? I can barely pinch them even with strong pliers. Practically burst a blood vessel.
If I can’t bend it with a pliers and a stall door, I don’t want it! If I have to take it home with me to put it in the vice I get really pissy. :yes:
This discussion reminds me of the time about 10 or 15 years ago that I went to a tack shop to buy a lip strap for my pelham bit. The teenager working in the shop did not even know what a lip strap was, and tried to sell me a CURB strap.
Teenager: “Oh, you mean a curb strap…here you go, they’re in the western section.”
Me (with one raised eyebrow and set teeth): “NO. I mean a…LIP…strap. For a PELHAM bit. NOT a western CURB bit.”
Then I had to explain what they looked like, and that that’s what the little holes on the shanks of pelham bits were for.
I was all of maybe 30 or 35 years old at the time, and I can very distinctly remember thinking to myself as I left the shop, “KIDS THESE DAYS!!!” 
I’ll go with Seal Harbour - and also is required in Corinthian classes for proper turnout.
Seal Harbour (and Hunters Rest) are correct.
And… lip straps should be on ALL pelhams, ALL the time. Yes, they are “required” for Corinthian classes if you have showing with a sewn-in double or pelham bridle, but it isn’t directly specified, as they should automatically be on there if you put one on your horse.
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