![]() Nervous riders also prefer the sense of having ABS brakes with the curb action. Riding in a pelham can help a rider who has restless hands to settle while interfering as little as possible with the horse’s mouth. There are pros and cons to riding in a pelham bit. Some horses prefer a simple snaffle bit, while other horses prefer to go completely bitless or work off a neck rein. Pros and Cons of the Pelham BitĪ pelham bit is not for everyone, nor is it for all horses. The rider can select which bit rings the reins should be attached to for a “snaffle setting” and a “curb setting.” When riding with two sets of reins, the rider can decide whether they will engage the curb or shank bit or the snaffle bit. The curb, when engaged, applies pressure to stop the horse from running forward.Ĭurb bits (like a Kimberwick bit) and some English pelham bits (like a tom thumb) have two bit rings at each end-a snaffle ring and a curb ring. Then when the reins are engaged, the curb should raise into the chin groove, pressuring the jawbone. When adjusted correctly, the curb should hang loose when the horse moves forward. ![]() The metal curb fits into the groove that a horse naturally has between their chin and their jawbone. To avoid pinching, ensure the bit is wide enough to allow a pinky finger to be inserted on either side of the horse’s mouth when the bit is resting on their tongue. The Western and English pelham bits should be fitted to only leave a very soft wrinkle at the corner of the horse’s mouth when not engaged. However, if you ride with only one rein, you may apply too much pressure, overbending the horse’s neck and forcing the horse’s head down unnaturally. When used with two sets of reins, the curbed bit or pelham bit can be modulated in its severity. ![]() Riders with soft hands do well with pelham bits, while a rider who has hard hands will be more likely to damage the horse’s mouth over time if they keep riding using pelham horse bits. When combined with rubber reins or other special reins such as a market harborough, the pelham or curbed bit provides more control (though it can potentially cause your horse to start pulling against the bit and resist riding if you use it harshly). The pelham bit should never be yanked with force as it has sufficient leverage to severely injure a horse’s mouth. With pelham converters or joiners, the pelham bit can be used with a single set of reins. The jointed mouthpiece of the pelham bit allows for more bend. This causes pressure at the poll, jaw, and chin which encourages the horse to lower their head and slow their pace. When the rider pulls back on the reins, the shanks will engage, leveraging the curb to lie flat against the horse’s chin. ![]() To engage the Pelham bit, simply apply some gentle downward pressure on the reins, which will raise the mouthpiece against the bars of the mouth. With the greater leverage of the pelham bit, the rider can exert more pressure on the horse’s mouth to achieve a quick stop or prevent the horse from running away (at times). In Western riding, cross country riding, hunter classes, and regular hacking, a pelham bit provides better brakes to the horse. With a double set of reins, the rider’s hands can signal each part of the horse’s mouth, encouraging more forward movement or shortening their movement to show prancing. When used with a double bridle with a jointed snaffle bit, the rider can control the horse’s bend and the height of their movement or elevation. Pelham bits are used in English riding to help provide elevation by shortening the horse’s stride. This chain is placed flat along the horse’s jawbone, providing stability and preventing the horse from raising their head excessively when applying pressure to the reins. Image Credit: Korsteel® via Stateline TackĪs you can see, a curb chain is suspended between the two sides of the bit. ![]()
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