Pelhams ?

[companymagic]

My lovely Highland is wonder full in almost every way..

She can run off with me at walk!! I don't want to over bit her and I totally know that its schooling that will help me fix this problem (So please don't think I see this as a short cut) But I also really don't think having to haul at her poor mouth to get a response is the answer either, she is currently in a hanging cheek french link.

Having read Enlighten Equitation years ago I remember Heather Saying that a Pelhem could be kinder as you would only need to use it lightly. Have I got this right ?

Also, what action does a Pelham have ?

Thanks in advance and please don't shoot me for wanting to look at other bits, I know they won't fix the problem, I am just hoping to make my aids a little bit clearer for her.

Cheers

[zack&buffysmum]

My old TB used to be in a hanging cheek snaffle and to start with he was very good but started head tossing and grabbing the bit and tanking off with me in it - so I changed to a myler comfort pelham for the last few months that I rode him - and he was like a different horse in it.
I always used it with roundings, not 2 reins but he was certainly more comfortable in it.

[companymagic]

Thanks for the feedback..

I just feel bad for thinking of it. Maybe a Kimblewick would be a nice starting point, as can be ridden on one rein so less pressure.

I used to ride my old TB in one for hacking when I first got him...

Just need to try it, as this morning I needed to stop and pull up to allow a Bin cart to pass us and I couldn't pull her up. She doesn't go far but she won't fully stop either. Its the same in the school but getting better...

[greyhorses]

I use a pelham on P and love it. Before I got him he'd been ridden in a snaffle and a flash and his old owner admitted to being heavy handed so kept him in a soft bit. I put him in a pelham and use two reins and only need to ride with minimal contact on each.

[Deleted]

I used to ride a friend's cob mare in a kimblewick. In a snaffle she was really incredibly strong, I mean you actually just couldn't stop if she decided she wanted to go (had been a RS pony so possibly just been totally desensitised to it!). We tried her with a kimblewick and she gave the game away, she'd been putting her tongue over the snaffle and couldn't in the kimblewick, she stood there pulling all sorts of faces trying to get her tongue over it then when she gave in (only took 3-4 minutes standing on the yard) she rode really nicely in it.

[ellalovesjay]

I often ride Jay in his pelham, but only use the top rein and leave the curb rein loose. He gets a bit confused if I introduce the curb rein and is reluctant to go forwards, but otherwise I would recommend a pelham for sure!

[rosemaryhannah]

There are only two bits which Jacob is happy with - one is a straight bar nylon bit and the other a Pelham. Because the signal is from three points (poll, curb and bit) it does not need to involve pulling hard on the mouth, and indeed should not involve this at all. Generally, the action of a Pelham is to lower the head, and it will with kind use and a horse at the right stage of development, help you to get a proper outline. it should, therefore, help you to get your pony to change forward motion into impulsion - help and not of course provide any kind of simple fix. I always use it with two reins, because that gives you freedom to brig the curb into play very gently. I was taught to ride in a Pelham - in those days one was always taught how to ride with both one and two reins.

[companymagic]

Thanks all.. I have dug out my rubber Pelham with rubber covered curb chain and will try her in it, with two reins so I only need use the curb when I really need it.

I have been beating myself up over changing her bit as I know that a lot of her forward movement is down to schooling.

I believe that I have soft hands, and having ridden polo ponies for years in them with VERY light touch and used double reins. I am not sure why I am so worried about changing it. I guess I just want her to be very soft and light, but if I am not able to make my point when I need it I will do more harm than good pulling at her. I will still use her hanging cheek for schooling and up my ground work to help her understand not to lean into the bit, but if this makes her safer out hacking them I guess that's worth trying.

Thanks again for all your help.