Lunging With A Pelham

[karen]

I posted this question to the Newrider forum, and got a few replies,but no one seemed to know for sure.
Heather, now that I am riding my warmblood in a hard rubber pelham, is it OK to lunge him from this bit?  If so, should I take of the curb chain?
Thanks
Karen

[cathyb]

Are you lunging him off the bit or off a lunge cavesson ?

My logic would be that you have a lot less control over what is happening in his mouth when you are lunging him - so the action could get overly strong and confusing. It has the potential to mess up all the good work you are doing elsewhere.

If you take the curb off, then you are pretty much lunging off a snaffle (albeit maybe a hanging snaffle). But at least it will be a mouthpiece he knows and is comfortable with.

I prefer not to lunge off the bit if I can help it, to reduce the amount of information the horse is getting via the bit. OK, so it just means that the lunge rein is giving nose pressure, but at least its not all in the mouth.

I have to confess I often use a rope halter to lunge with - then the nose pressure is at the back not the front. My horse is more comfortable with this and it is not pulling her nose round too much. Though if you have a heavy clip/rope, she can find it a bit annoying (so we have a nice light rope).

 

[karen]

Cathy if I am lunging prior to riding I lunge off the bit, because he is already tacked up for riding. I have so far found it impossible to find a cavesson which will fit him over a bridle (he is 17 hand pls, and has a big head!).  I do sometimes lunge him with a cavesson or a halter also, if I am not planning to ride him.

[ros]

I lunged Merlin tonight in his Pelham and didn't worry about it.  Did the curb chain up loosely to keep it out of the way; threaded the lunge rein through nearside snaffle ring, over ears, attached to offside snaffle ring.  Lunged.  No problem.  He was nice and light and obedient.  Wasn't aiming for anything fancy - just exercise.

[karen]

I guess it must be OK then.  I suppose if you make sure the curb chain is not having any effect by either loosening it off or removing, it's just like lunging off a snaffle bit.