Pelham Bit
Bits For Horses

From: Horse TackHorse Bits

See also: Double BridleGag BitSnaffle Bit

Horse Picture

Pelham Bit (Mullen, Jointed, Multi-Link, Ported, Rugby, Kimblewick, Roller, Twisted, Rubber, Happy Mouth etc.) for Horses
The pelham bit is best described as an all in one double bridle that offers the action of a snaffle bit combined with the leverage action of the curb bit, but with less control and fine tuning than a double bridle would allow.

Horses who have small mouths or large tongues often prefer a pelham to a double bridle due to less room being taken up in their mouths.

Most pelham bits are designed to be used with a snaffle rein and a curb rein which combined with the curb chain offers all round pressure points. For riders who are not keen on riding with two sets of reins there are pelhams such as the Kimblewick which are only used with one rein, alternatively the pelham can also have roundings attached to the bit from which one set of reins can then attached, however the bits action will not be as effective as when using two separate sets of reins.

Pelham Points Of Pressure

The pelham like so many bits today has many sub varieties with different mouthpieces and shank length available:

Pelham Shank
The shanks of a pelham have several rings for attachment, the upper ring is used for the bridle cheek pieces and it is on these rings that two hooks are found from which the curb chain is positioned. There is then a much smaller ring for the lip strap and below that is the ring for the curb rein. As a guide the longer the shank the more leverage action the bit will have.

Curb Chain
The curb chain acts on the horses chin groove and comes into play when the rein contact is taken up, if the curb chain is either too loose or too tight it will not be effective and especially if too tight will be very uncomfortable for the horse.

Pelham Mouthpieces
There are several different mouthpieces available and each applies slightly different amounts of pressure depending on type of mouthpiece chosen. It is worth knowing that thinner bits tend to be more severe than thicker ones whose pressure is more evenly distributed, however there are exceptions to this rule, for example some horses who have particularly large tongues and small mouths may find a thinner mouthpiece more comfortable than a thick one so the choice will as usual be down to your horses individual requirements.

Pelhams that are used with two reins offer the rider far more control and allow a more sensitive approach due to being able to use the curb and snaffle rein independently from each other.

Pelham Bit Sizes
Bits are measured from between the mouthpiece rings and are usually available in sizes ranging from 3, 3.5, 4, 4 1/4, 4.5, 4 3/4, 5, 5 1/4 , 5.5, 5 3/4 and 6 inches.

Pelham Bit Materials
There are a variety of materials used such as:


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