I bought a lovely Trakhener in December of ‘21 with quite a solid record through the 1.10 jumpers, prelim eventing, and second level dressage (schooling 3rd). Though he was suited to these careers, there was a lot about him that screamed 3’ hunter if we could just convince him to relax in the show ring and not assume that the second trip was a jump off 
. We’ve spent the better part of the past year getting him to the point where he is loving the hunter gig and I went from needed a massive hackabit to school cross country and a long shanked pelham or segunda to jump around (even at home) to schooling very softly in a single ring happy mouth elevator and showing quietly in a happy mouth pelham. This past weekend was the first time I felt the pelham was too much bit. I don’t think he’ll ever be a French link snaffle kind of guy, but I think he’ll be just fine in the right snaffle. I plan to try a waterford and a slow twist D, but I’d love a few other options to explore if anyone has a bit they love for their formerly strong horse! TIA!
I personally love the Myler D ring level 1 (low low port) with hooks. You get a bit of leverage with the hooks without it being overkill, and the port helps keeping them lighter in front. It looks more traditional, too. 
Love this bit but be careful. In our area, a hunter judge recently explained how much she loathes the bits with hooks. It can be seen as non traditional and you may be penalized.
Might be better to stick with the Pelham with two reins, just don’t use the curb and you have a very soft bit.
This was my thought.
If the Pelham is too much bit then go to the snaffle version of whatever your Pelham mouthpiece is if you do not want to ride with two reins while using mainly the snaffle rein.
I love my Pletcher D-ring when my jumper plays in the eq or derbies!
Interesting, because our rulebook explicitly states that bits with fixed slots (ie. hooks) are permitted in the hunter ring. That judge shouldn’t be penalizing anyone for that (assuming you’re still in Ontario!)
For USEF mylers with hooks are specifically mentioned as unconventional and may be penalized. A lot of judges dislike them. Interesting that Canada decided to go the other way.
Yes, it’s one of the few ways that Canadian rules actually don’t align with the US. Usually we just follow your lead!
I second the Peter pletcher, love it for hunters that need “more” because I don’t like going to a pelham in the hunter ring. It is one of those bits that the horses go wonderfully or get super offended by, I haven’t had much in between, and I find it can be hard to predict so you just have to try it out. If the original pletcher is too sharp, some of the knockoffs are slightly thicker.
Same, big fan of a Pletcher bit. Mare can sometimes decide to be a bit much mid-way through a course and it gives me the bit I need to not leave out strides while not being too much bit when she’s going nicely. It also doesn’t piss her off for the next five hours if I accidentally get too handsy with it like a lot of stronger bits we’ve tried do.
Where can I find one of these? Looking to add it to my collection!
Knockoff that is a bit thicker: https://www.doversaddlery.com/pro-series-derby-d-ring-bit/p/X1-013780/?gclid=CjwKCAjw9J2iBhBPEiwAErwpeS_VSOy23Bn3-pJkycCQ7AkhO3oTHmbrB8BOcy40dBvAP77hYWFgaRoCq4cQAvD_BwE
Yes, still in Ontario!
This was discussed at the southwest trillium judges forum. The judge indicated that while permitted, a Myler with hooks would be seen as unconventional and can be penalized by a judge.
Further, she clarified (Di) that pelhams can also be frowned upon as, in a perfect world of two equally fantastic rounds, the horse with the Pelham presents as strong so a snaffle horse should break that tie. If all else is the same, that is.
<I am not a hunter person nor a hunter judge, and I do not play one on TV … just passing on what I heard at the seminar >
I judge schooling shows (so not carded) but I’d argue that it goes against the spirit of the rule to penalize a competitor for using a legal bit (that is spelled out in the rules specifically even). Then again, my opinion is that I don’t care what bit the horse uses, as long as it’s legal, because if the horse IS strong and hauling the rider around, THAT is what will get them docked, not the bit itself. I don’t think that penalizing a competitor because the horse MIGHT be strong, and that’s why it’s in a pelham, is reasonable. But then again, what would I know? 
I was competing in hunters (at a schooling show) years ago, in a pelham, and was told that the judge hated pelhams and I would never place. I didn’t really believe it until, sure enough, there were rounds placing over me that I watched and they were…bad. Like, huge chips, adding strides, terrible jumping form, lead problems. Meanwhile I had a smooth and pleasant round with no major mistakes. 
Oh well. I don’t do hunters any more lol!
I’m not qualified to judge anything, especially not schooling shows, so maybe someone who knows more can chime in. 
From what I understood, permitted is not the same as conventional. And it is a jumping competition, so the better jumper should be rewarded. But - big but - in a perfectly equal world of two lovely trips, the one in the snaffle wins (not the Pelham) because Granny Mouse can ride it.
This judge is a twit.
The Mylar D ring Comfort Snaffle with port is a favorite of mine and comes without hooks. Easy to find. I like to rotate bits, also used a loose rig snaffle with copper laced, blue steel mouth (made for Western horses) and a gag when schooling my Hunter. Keeps them sharper IMO.
This is why at schooling shows I hack in a sweet iron mullen mouth and then hop off, switch bridles to jump in our super short happy mouth pelham if I think she is going to be strong. Some judges are just funny about a pelham, which is a shame. My horse would much prefer a little whoa with a pelham rein than with my snaffle rein any day of the week, and I only use my pelham rein ever so slightly. I am all about keeping my mare happy.
There’s also the full cheek version with one hook. I feel like that’d be super nitpicky of a judge to penalize, but who knows…?
The “unconventional” rationale seems really silly. I mean, I could have my horse in a D ring with a giant port (which IMO is way harsher than a pelham), and the judge would have no idea, whereas the bits that indicate that the horse might be strong are the onea that get dinged. If they’re going to go with that, then they might as well start bit checking mouthpieces after each round. 
Long thought that was a great idea along with checking cavesson undersides (lots of chain and thin wire seems to end up under nosebands). But it looks like a mild bit and simple bridle so…
That was my biggest surprise coming over from Western, you know, home of the “brutal bits” that are often checked for creative, hidden “accessories” after a pattern or at random.
