Pelham - Difference Between Mullen And Jointed

[karen]

Can anyone tell why EE recomends the mullen mouth pelham as opposed to the jointed?  Is this because the mullen mouth is less severe?  I posted a while back about my horse maybe being uncomfortable with the rubber mullen mouth pelham as it seemed too thick for his mouth.  I am going to try to get a metal mullen mouth, but my instructor is suggesting I get a jointed metal pelham.  SO, I wondered if the jointed is more severe, or is it just a case of some horses are more comfortable in a jointed than a mullen or vice versa?

[nix]

Hi Karen

Heather/Sue or one of the other more knowledgeable peeps on here will probably be able to give a fuller reply.

Imho, I would have thought that the jointed was more severe than the mullen as you have the "nutcracker" action. I haven't really looked into jointed pelhams as my horse likes the rubber-coated mullen, so I don't know whether a french-link is available, which would have a milder action than a simple jointed pelham. If your horse finds the rubber-coated mullen mouth too thick, have you looked at the happymouth mullen pelham, as it's narrower?

Hope this helps

Nix

[karen]

Hi Nix
Thanks for the advice.  I had sort of thought that the mullen mouth was less severe, but wasn't sure.  I would like to try a happy mouth before trying a metal one.  Unfortunately, I can't buy bits where I live, but I will be in UK in a couple of months, so I will try to get one.  That's interesting to hear that the happy mouth is narrower, because I only get to see it in catalogues or online, so it is difficult to judge.  

[Maz]

There was an article in Your Horse (June issue, the one with Heather's 'Helping Hands' article) about the effect of various mouthpieces on the horses mouth, explaining why snaffles can be rather severe with their 'pinching' action on the tongue, unfortunately it didn't cover the mullen mouthpiece in depth though.

[karen]

I think I have a copy of that magazine...I'll take another look

[Heather]

HI karen,

The joint alters the action of the curb. As soon as you apply any pressure to the bit, the joint closes and then the chain slackens off, often also slipping up the jaw out of the curb groove, and negating the effect of the reflex point there. This then tends to make the rider have to take the rein up more and often bring the bit cheeks  back at a very strong angle, instead of the desired 30-45 degrees at most.

Having said that I have had several horses over the years that went very well and lightly in a jointed pelham, so there is no hard and fast rule!!

Heather

[karen]

Sounds like the jointed is not really the option I want to take then.  I will try the mullen mouth metal one first, and see if he goes OK in that.  

[Brychen]

I ride my welsh cob in a type of jointed pelham.  

He has a thick tongue, short mouth and low pallette. He canot cope with a mullen mouth, rubber or ported peham as he simply does not have enough room in his mouth for the tongue and the bit.

The bit I use is jointed with a knobble rather than a french dee link ( KK do an Ultra pelham the same shape). I can ride him in a nice outline and with light hands in this bit.

As another poster said the joint tends to mean that the curb chain ride up above the curb groove. I have resolved this by fixing the lip strap so it holds the curb chain in postion, but give a fingers breadth of looseness when the bits not in action.

As its not a leagal bit for affiliated dressage I am planning to use a jointed hanging check snaffle to compete.

Derby House saddlery do mail order and I have found them very helpful re bits etc.

HTH

[karen]

Hi Brychen
Thanks for the input.  It's interesting to hear other people's experiences.  I think basically I am going to have to experiment until I find what suits my horse.  Unfortunatly I don't have access to a bit bank, so I have to buy any bits I want to try out...I could almost open a bit bank myself I have so many!!  I think I will try next with a mullen mouth metal pelham, and if that is not successful, I will try a jonted one.  
Do you find the hanging cheek snaffle makes much difference in comparison to a normal loose ring snaffle?  Just wondered because unless I compete at elementary with a double bridle, I need to find a snaffle that my horse can compete in.

[cathy reynolds]

The hanging cheek snaffles are legal - I think. I'm using a Baucher.

[KarenRO]

My mare, a Morgan, has a very small mouth and low palate.  Any single jointed bit is going to pop her in the palate which will make her raise her head to get away from the discomfort.  A reasonable response!

I've been riding her in a french link loose ring (14mm thickness) and while she seems to be comfortable with the bit - no popping the palate or pinching - she also does not seem to pay attention to the bit.

She often works at the trot with a hollow back and her neck up and jaw set.  I keep thinking about trying a pelham but have read (somewhere) that a mullen mouth bit in a horse that leans, is a disaster waiting to happen! Actually, I think Summer is more inclined to stiffen her jaw rather than brace against a bit.

Any ideas of how to convince Summer that it is ok to work with her neck down and her jaw relaxed?

 

[Cobstar]

Hi Karen

It is worth experimenting with a pelham to see whether it will suit Summer and help get her to relax her jaw.  You may find that after a few sessions the penny will have dropped and you'll be able to return to your french link snaffle.  And some horses just don't settle in a pelham full stop.  Summer will soon tell you if the pelham is a suitable bit for her.  See Heather's article on the pelham at www.enlightenedequitation.com/public/library_pelham_use.html for more information on the correct use of the pelham.  I know that Heather has found that a pelham works well with many Arabs who have a similar mouth confirmation to Summer.

On the issue of whether a mullen mouth bit on a horse that leans is a recipe for disaster - I would say that this is no more an issue than with any type of bit.  A horse only pulls or leans if he/she has something to pull/lean against - ie a solid contact from the rider or a rider pulling against the horse.  

I'm not perfect, yes I do get caught out sometimes and provide something for my horse to lean or pull against.  But I have also managed to turn her from a horse that I was told must only be hacked out in a gag snaffle with the gag rein attached (penalties of being a riding school cob who anyone could ride!) to one that can safely be hacked out in an ordinary snaffle.

 

[KarenRO]

Hi Cobstar!

Thanks for sharing your experience with a using a pelham.  I think I'll give the pelham a whirl.  I used to ride my childhood hunter in a pelhm (many years ago).  Wonder is my hands will remember how to hold two reins?!

I'll keep you posted!
Karen

[KarenRO]

Which pelham is better to try?  An eggbutt mullen mouth pelham or a regular mullen mouth pelham?    

[Cobstar]

Heather recommends a standard hard rubber mullen mouthed pelham.  You want a hard rubber pelham rather than a vulcanite one.  Can anyone else advise re stockists in the USA?

I had to go away and look up what an eggbutt pelham was as they're not that common in the UK.  I think either version would be OK but you don't necessarily need to have the eggbutt one.

Try and borrow a bit if you can to see whether it works.