Pelhams

Pelhams often get a bad reputation these days and are sometimes considered old-fashioned. However, I am very fond of Pelhams and believe they still deserve a place when choosing bits for our horses and ponies. When they are well made and properly balanced, they can work extremely well.

The same good bitting principles should always apply. A Pelham should be well made, symmetrical, and have a comfortable mouthpiece that sits correctly and follows the conformation of the horse’s mouth. The cheek pieces should also be well balanced and appropriately sized for the horse or pony. Most importantly, the bit should provide clear, understandable signals, with effective release and reward.

It is always important to spend money wisely, and where possible, choose tack and equipment that can serve more than one purpose.

If your horse, pony, or cob is versatile and requires something a little stronger than a snaffle for certain activities, a Pelham can be a very practical option.

For example, if you take part in, or may wish to try, showing classes, working hunter classes, or sponsored rides, a Pelham can be used with roundings for activities such as polework, jump clinics, or fun rides in company. It can then be used with two reins for showing or equitation classes, making it a highly versatile choice.

Finesse Mini Show Pelham

The Finesse Mini Show Pelham the mouthpiece is an even feel for the Horse or Pony right across the whole of the tongue and lower jaw in a round curved sweep This particular Pelham is a Show Pelham built on a 4 3/4 Cheek so looks especially good on a small neat face of either a Pony or of a Horse that is very elegant and has a neat small mouth and especially good with a Horse with a short smile This Pelham will not work on larger Horses that need a substantial cheek

Often Mouthpieces and Cheekpieces are out of proportion on Pony Heads or elegant small faced Horses with mouthpieces too thick and cheekpieces too long

Suitable for Horses or Ponies that need

An even feel across the inside of the mouth
To sit up in the Bridle
To be a little lighter in the frame
a neat small look to the bridle to complement a pretty face

High Top Accent Show Pelham

The High Top Accent Show Pelhams mouthpiece has a definite feel to the underside of the port to ask for a yield and allows the Horse a little more tongue room in the centre of the bit and the forward curve to the bar of the mouthpiece allows for jaw and tongue room behind the bit. As the bottom reins are used the whole mouthpiece rotates onto the tongue pressing the tongue down into the lower jaw until it reaches the bars of the mouth, with this mouthpiece the tongue has plenty of room to move up and fill the space created by the port and the forward curve of the mouthpiece.

Very useful for Horses that are:

Have a still mouth and at times heavy feel on the rein
That need tongue room but with a little extra in the centre
That have gone heavily in a very thick mouthpiece with a low port and you are changing for more room and less bit and more yield

The High Top Cheek carries the chain well on the back of the lower jaw and sits the bit up in the mouth with good release and reward as the Horse yeilds

Contour Pelham

The Contour is a slightly thicker 14mm very rounded comfortable Lozenge with lots of release and reward built into the design of the mouthpiece and It makes a really nice Pelham

The cheek is well balanced and gives an overall even balance of three pressures with excellent release and reward to give good clear understandable signals

The chain is carried well on the upper part of the lower jaw encouraging the Horse to reach forward into the contact but dissuades it from hanging and encourages lightness

Very useful for any Horse or Pony that has

Been pinched by a mouthpiece in the past
Needs to take up a more even contact in the reins
Needs more directional support
Needs to have a bit more lightness in its frame