The Problem with Pelhams

The pelham is a very unique bit, in a category of its own - as it is both a snaffle and a leverage (curb) bit in one! It is one of the most popular bits for jumping, among a wide range of disciplines and experience levels. I have a handful of pelhams in my inventory for consultations and it is not rare for me to recommend these for certain clients, but as a bit fitting specialist I have very mixed feelings about their use!

What is it?

Pelhams have four "rings" along the cheek, along with a curb strap (typically a chain), as shown below:

1 - The "purchase" is where the bridle and the curb strap/chain connect. The rounder the ring, the less abrupt poll pressure applied from the curb action.

2 - The snaffle ring is just that, a connection point for the snaffle rein, which should always be the primary. If no other reins are used, this bit essentially becomes a baucher snaffle (albeit, heaver).

3 - The tiny ring between the snaffle and curb rein is for a critical but often overlooked component - the lip strap. The thin leather strap will anchor the curb strap/chain and prevent the bit from being flipped upside-down in the mouth.

A pelham with a leather lip strap anchoring the curb chain. These are also critical to use on weymouths and other curbs.

4 - The lowest ring is for the curb rein attachment. If no other reins are used, this bit essentially becomes a curb bit.

5 - The curb chain/strap is connected to the purchase on each side and is laid flat, running below the jaw in the curb groove (fleshy area behind the "chin"). While double-linked chains are most common, a padded cover or soft leather curb strap is recommended, as these are less likely to pinch hairs, rub, or cause bone/tissue damage to the lower jaw.

What is its purpose?

This bit was originally developed as a compromise to the double bridle (separate snaffle "bradoon" and curb "weymouth") - intended to have all the benefits of a snaffle and a curb, but with only one mouthpiece. As you can imagine, though, a single bit cannot replace the mechanics of a double bridle. However, many horses seem to go well in a pelham, and it gives the riders the comfort of additional control "as needed" with the use of two reins.

A pelham used properly with two reins and curb adjusted well. The curb chain is wrapped to lessen the severity of its action against the jaw bones. Unfortunately, no lip strap used, and a flash noseband is blocking the curb chain from sitting in the curb groove as intended.

How does it work?

When only a snaffle rein is engaged, the bit will be drawn back in the mouth and rotate forward slightly (forming what is called the "working angle" of the bit, normal for snaffles).

• The upward stretching of the lips encourages the horse to lift their head

• The mechanical advantage here is 1:1 (no leverage)

A pelham used with only a curb rein makes it virtually the same as a curb bit

When only the curb rein is engaged, the mouthpiece will rotate forward while applying some pressure until it hits the limit set by the curb strap/chain, and then it will apply downward pressure on the tongue in addition to distributing pressure to the lower jaw (via curb chain) and poll (via bridle cheek pieces being pushed forward and down by the purchase).

• This action encourages flexion of the jaw and poll but is to be used lightly and seldomly. Constant use often has an opposite effect as the horse will resent the applied force and the tongue/bars inside the mouth will be squashed.

• The mechanical advantage (leverage) here is equal to the ratio of the shank length vs. purchase length. Most pelhams have approximately 3:1 ratio, so 1 pound of force from the reins = 3 pounds of force exerted on the horse. This is what makes curb bits harmful in the wrong hands.

When both reins are engaged at the same time, the ideal outcome is both of the mechanics described above - lifted forehand with flexion in the poll and jaw. Unfortunately, as stated before, one mouthpiece cannot replace a double bridle. What ends up happening is a jumble of these signals at once - their effectiveness depending on the expert use by the rider and the mouthpiece type/construction.

Rein converters (also called "bit converters" or "pelham roundings") connect the snaffle and curb so that a pelham can be used by only one set of reins. Unfortunately, this defeats the entire purpose of the pelham's construction and will result in curb action (leverage) every time the reins are engaged. A horse in this setup is likely to become either dull to the rein aids or resentful of them, which is sure to regress some good training.

What is the problem?

Problem #1a - curb strap/chain rises out of the curb groove, changing the adjustment of the curb.

• Result: the curb strap/chain will engage too soon (<45 degrees) which will increase the force on the mouth and lower jaw. This can result in head tossing and tongue-related evasions.

• Note that this effect is lessened with the use of a lip strap but does not negate this action entirely unless the bit is positioned low in the mouth (not recommended).

Problem #1b - curb strap/chain rises out of the curb groove, so it is acting on a much more sensitive part of the lower jaw.

• Result: the curb chain will have a harsher effect on the lower jaw and can cause rubs (at best) and bony changes/bone spurs (at worst). This will not encourage flexion of the jaw as intended and will often have the opposite effect. This can result in tension of the lower jaw and TMJ as well as head tossing or popping above the bit.

• Note this effect is lessened with the use of a padded curb chain cover or a soft leather curb strap, both of which are highly preferred over a plain chain.

Curb chain is not engaging in time and therefore the curb is >45 degrees. This is applying considerable poll pressure and allowing the mouthpiece to over-rotate.

Problem #2 - if the mouthpiece construction primarily applies tongue pressure, the action of the curb will amplify this.

• Result: excess tongue pressure often leads to rooting or heaviness in the contact and can encourage tongue and jaw-related evasions.

Problem #3 - if the mouthpiece is jointed, the bit will collapse inwards, and the curb chain will slacken.

• Result: the curb chain will engage too late (>45 degrees) which will increase the force translated to the poll. This will have a pseudo-gag effect - sending conflicting signals to the horse (raise head, lower head).

• Note that this may counteract problem 1a above which is why some of these negative effects may not be observed in certain setups.

How to use it?

The pelham should be used with two sets of reins by skilled hands. The snaffle rein should always be primary, and the curb rein used seldomly and only as needed to encourage flexion and softness to the primary snaffle aid. Following this sound logic, pelham roundings / rein converters are not to be used as they defeat the purpose of a pelham entirely.

Used with a Miklem-style bridle, the curb chain is blocked from sitting in the curb groove and the leverage action will also apply some force to the horse's cheek via the jowl strap.

The curb rein should NEVER be used as a punishment or used consistently. The curb loses all benefit and will become quite problematic if used consistently and/or too firmly.

Ideally the mouthpiece will be similar to that of a weymouth, in a shape to suit the anatomy of the specific horse. Jointed mouthpieces are highly discouraged (for the problems listed above) unless the rider is very skilled at using the curb rein independently, briefly, softly, and seldomly.

The curb strap/chain is ideally padded or made of soft leather and should be adjusted so that the max rotation is 45 degrees. The curb strap should also sit comfortably in the curb groove, further secured by the installation of a leather lip strap. See blog post here for more information about the adjustment of curb chains.

More questions? Drop a comment below or send me a message!