[sirius-dressage]

So, you know there are a ton of bit threads on this forum...I generally stayed away from them because I thought I was all set with a Myler loose ring snaffle on my boy. Well, lately he's been hauling on my hands while jumping or cantering, and being such a tiny Arab, he's surprisingly strong. There were times he's just be hanging on my hands, or trying to run off after jumps despite all my seat and voice aids, and heaven forbid I touched his mouth because his head would be up and he's be having an almighty fit.

Today my trainer suggested putting him in a pelham. And wow, what a difference. I thought it was good that I just rode in a snaffle, it meant my boy was responsive and quiet and I wasn't a bad rider because I didn't need a stronger bit than that. Well, I think I've seen the difference now. We stuck the pelham on and he accepted it pretty well and then settled into it. He was so incredibly light in my hands, so responsive, I barely had to touch the reins and he would respond. I only had to use my fingersto ask him to stop, rather than having to haul back on his mouth if he decided cantering was more fun than trotting.

He was bending and relaxed because I was relaxed and he was carrying himself instead of leaning on my hands. So, being a novice to bitting my horse, I wasn't to apt to change the bit because I thought it would make my seem like a worse rider because my guy couldn't go in a snaffle...like I wasn't using my seat enough. But I am so glad that we tried this one because now I am able to use my seat more and my reins less because I am not getting taken for a ride with a bit that is being used as a brace by my horse.

Just thought I'd share.

[Shotgun93]

Some horses don't like the simple snaffle that every one puts them in. But, it's important to remember that you are now using a bit that has some leverage and can have a bite to it when using direct reins, so be sure not to touch his mouth a bunch.

[sirius-dressage]

No, I know. That was the point, that I didn't have to keep grabbing the bit to try and gain some control.

It's no fun to go zipping around the ring just grabbing the reins or spinning him in circles to stop, which is what our rides have been consisting of lately. We've been using the rein converters but I've got to re-learn how to use double reins again soon.

[Friesiangirl]

so true, my old mare was great in a hunter d, but in a loose ring....oh dear...

[Blistering Winds]

Either way, be sure his training also fits the bit that you are using. because if you are using it as a crutch, and not fixing the initial problems, your horse will soon be running out from under the pelham.



But yes, I agree. Some horses are much more "heavy" on the bit, and do require a tad bit of leverage at times, till you can fine tune a few things down.

[sirius-dressage]

Yeah, I don't intend to use it exclusively. I hope to switch him back over to like an egbutt or a full cheek snaffle after a little while and see how he goes on that after he figures out he can carry himself.