Which pelham should you choose for your horse's sensitivity?
The leverage of a pelham depends directly on the length of the shanks and the design of the mouthpiece. A bit with short shanks gives a milder, more progressive action, while long shanks increase the pressure on the poll and the bars. To find the best pelham for your horse and the way you ride, several mouthpiece configurations are available:
- Straight mouthpiece: a straight pelham gives a firm, even contact, popular with horses that look for a clear contact without pinching the tongue.
- Ergonomic mouthpiece: following the line of the palate, the pelham feeling anatomic branches courtes respects the corners of the lips, while the pelham anatomic feeling branches longues increases the leverage on the poll. The pelham anatomic feeling branches range lets you match the refinement of the bit to the rider's needs.
- Adjustable mouthpiece: the I-Bride brand offers different levels of cushioning stiffness, including the pelham strong, designed for horses that need a clear response.
Rubber, resin or metal: which material is best?
The material affects mouth comfort and salivation. Riders looking for a softer contact tend to prefer flexible mouthpieces. For example, the feeling pelham caoutchouc brisé reduces the harshness felt on the bars compared with a standard bit.
SPRENGER metal mouthpieces, such as the MaxControl or the double-jointed Dynamic RS, transmit rein signals very precisely. Bits from STÜBBEN or FEELING have a meticulous finish to meet the demands of arena work.
How do you use pelham roundings properly?
A pelham is a versatile bit, suited to the rider's level and aims. You can attach two pairs of reins to separate the raising effect from the lowering effect. When showjumping or out hacking, roundings let you ride with a single pair of reins while connecting both rings.
- Rope roundings: the NORTON PRO rope pelham roundings give a light, understated link.
- Ring roundings: the NORTON PRO ring pelham roundings offer a sliding attachment point that spreads the action of the hand more evenly.