Pelham Ponies - Yay or Neigh
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Yeah, that’s right, I’m kicking off my first article of 2013 with a pun in the title.
Today we are going to be addressing the ever-controversial issue of children riding in pelhams and other harsh bits. As you all probably know by now, I have quite strong opinions on most things; especially socks, the music industry, and anything equine-related. This time, I’ll be expressing those opinions on one of my oldest pet hates.
At every show, without fail, we will see some tiny kid chucked up on the million dollar showjumping pony that Daddy dearest smashed his piggy bank to buy, and 9 out of ten times, little Sally or Mary-Sue will be sitting on the poor critter with a bit that looks like it could stop a tugboat, hauling the poor animal’s back teeth out.
Now, it’s clear for all of us to see that if you bitted that strong pony in a kind, soft snaffle, little Sally will be halfway to China by the time she stops it, but does that really excuse the improper use of a strong bit? I think not.
Pelhams are bits designed to use a different action on a horse’s poll, tongue, mouth, chin, etc. to better control the horse and get better performance. They are meant to be used with soft hands and an experienced riding style to improve a horse; not to be pulled senselessly to stop a strong pony. Riding in a pelham is a complex art, and the rider needs to be able to understand what the bit is doing in the horse's mouth. Young riders simply cannot comprehend the complicated action of the Pelham and how it ought to be used. Therefore, in my opinion, young child riders should not be allowed to use bits which, when used incorrectly, can have very serious ramifications.
Overuse of any bit can cause a pony’s mouth to harden, but with a severe bit like a Pelham, it makes it even worse. So while little Sally is hauling at her poor champion’s mouth, she is essentially teaching her pony to become immune to the strongest possible means of controlling it. And when Daddy’s little giftie suddenly becomes a rampaging beast that would be impossible to stop with three tugboats and a steamroller, then how on earth are we going to stop little Sally from showing up in the middle of China after her jumping course?
Over-bitting is never a solution to a problem... But if little Sally simply can’t control her champion showjumper, then what is Daddy to do to protect his little angel?
Never fear, because Polo has the answer. This is going to be a shocker; is everybody ready?
Here goes...
Parents, for Pete’s sake, stop buying expensive, champion ponies for your frightened, inexperienced child! (And yes, I stand by every one of those adjectives.) If little Sally can’t control her pony in a snaffle, then little Sally doesn't need a stronger bit. What little Sally needs is a safe schoolmaster and a few decent riding lessons! A winning pony is never the answer to producing a winning rider. If you want your child to win, don’t put the poor thing on some pony that is well out of his or her league in the hope that a good pony will make up for the flaws in the rider. Rather buy a less talented pony that suits the child, and maybe one day that child will be able to move on to bigger and better things.
There are now shortcuts in the equestrian world; that is something that I wish everybody would learn!
What do you guys think? Is it okay to use a strong bit to help an inexperienced child control a strong pony?
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PonyBox
MOD
"Parents, for Pete’s sake, stop buying expensive, champion ponies for your frightened, inexperienced child! There are now shortcuts in the equestrian world!"
Like it!
"Parents, for Pete’s sake, stop buying expensive, champion ponies for your frightened, inexperienced child! There are now shortcuts in the equestrian world!"
Like it!
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57 days ago
• 15,363 views
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Horses4Ever
I know what you mean. These kids don't know what to do with the Reims or the consequence of harshly using a sting bit. A hard hand on a strong bit (or hard hand in general) can be very counterproductive and make the horse or pony even stronger and harder to control.
I know what you mean. These kids don't know what to do with the Reims or the consequence of harshly using a sting bit. A hard hand on a strong bit (or hard hand in general) can be very counterproductive and make the horse or pony even stronger and harder to control.
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56 days ago
• 14,090 views
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Starlight Farm
Ah what a complex topic. You've sure opened the Pandora's box here... )
There are two different issues: Pelhams, and overbitting kids on little ponies.
Kids should have ponies that can go nicely in a snaffle or that they can be soft enough to control in a slightly more severe bit. My showing philosophy is that you should go to a show only if you think it will go well, not just to chase points. An issue you can't deal with at home will 99% of the time not be fixed at a show, and is usually only made worse. Having a nice, reliable pony of decent quality should be more important than a naughty, strong one that might give one a better chance of winning ribbons. That's not what showing's supposed to be about anyway!
Now, pelhams. I personally use one (a jointed pelham with a pretty short shank - shorter than in the pictures above). I use two reins, not one, so that I can control exactly how much pressure i put into it and how much leverage i get out of it. Why do I use it? Bucking.
Ah what a complex topic. You've sure opened the Pandora's box here... )
There are two different issues: Pelhams, and overbitting kids on little ponies.
Kids should have ponies that can go nicely in a snaffle or that they can be soft enough to control in a slightly more severe bit. My showing philosophy is that you should go to a show only if you think it will go well, not just to chase points. An issue you can't deal with at home will 99% of the time not be fixed at a show, and is usually only made worse. Having a nice, reliable pony of decent quality should be more important than a naughty, strong one that might give one a better chance of winning ribbons. That's not what showing's supposed to be about anyway!
Now, pelhams. I personally use one (a jointed pelham with a pretty short shank - shorter than in the pictures above). I use two reins, not one, so that I can control exactly how much pressure i put into it and how much leverage i get out of it. Why do I use it? Bucking. I ride a horse that is NOT forgiving about jumps and will haul off bucking if the striding is slightly wrong or even if he he just has happy feet (yes, the vet and a saddle-fitter have checked him and found nothing. He's just young and happy, though he's mellowing out with age). With a regular snaffle, he can just canter and buck around. This is why he used to be ridden in a double-twisted wire (which only caused him to put his head up). With a pelham, I can be soft and ride with loser reins, but I still have that sense of security should I need it. Now, he sometimes bucks at the canter, but generally on the flat he is fine being ridden with the curb rein completely loose or even in a french-link snaffle. Riding in a pelham requires a different feel than a snaffle - you must be softer with your hands and know how to use each rein differently, as well as make sure your curb chain is not too tight. I should note that he also leans on the pelham much less than a regular snaffle. The pelham has worked pretty well for him, though I do hope to get him down to being in a regular snaffle all the time. Overall, the problem is not the bit, the problem is the rider. My trainer has supervised me working with the pelham to make sure I use it correctly, and the horse seems perfectly fine with it. (NOTE: this is for english pelhams with 2 reins. I have slightly different feelings about 3-ring bits and pelhams when used with one rein, port mouths, broken segundas. None of what I have said is meant to apply to Western bits, since I don't know enough about them. So please, don't automatically write off pelhams as cruel, because there are situations in which they are very useful and there are riders who can use them correctly.
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56 days ago
• 13,968 views
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Let It Ride
Also....
These parents need to hire intelligent, experienced instructors for their kids. Chances are the kids and the parents don't much about horses and ponies. It's up to the person with the most experience to try and make sure that horses/ponies aren't overbitted or treated cruelly in any way.
Now I'm not saying it's always possible for them to control what happens. But I find quite a few parents are willing to listen to someone who is a professional.
Also....
These parents need to hire intelligent, experienced instructors for their kids. Chances are the kids and the parents don't much about horses and ponies. It's up to the person with the most experience to try and make sure that horses/ponies aren't overbitted or treated cruelly in any way.
Now I'm not saying it's always possible for them to control what happens. But I find quite a few parents are willing to listen to someone who is a professional.
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56 days ago
• 13,892 views
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Dark Star
I can't judge a pelhem bit, since I have never used one. Only english bits I have used is a smooth snaffle, a twisted wire snaffle (both large and small), and a slow twist. Now, western bits, I can have an opinion.
A bit is a tool. ANY bit can be harsh in the wrong rider's hands. Personally?
Kids should never start showing until they know how to properly control their horse. If they can't get there horses to behave at home, then taking them to a show is a recipe for getting the child, the horse, and other riders hurt. I have seen many times a kid slapped up on mommy or daddy's 1D barrel horse at a race, and then you see a kid holding on for dear life while speedy mcgee is knocking all the barrels over and hitting walls since the kid can't physically control it. I would rather see a kid lose with a push button, safe pony/horse that they look comfortable on, then to see a kid win on a massive show horse that the kid looks terrified on.
That's just me though.
I can't judge a pelhem bit, since I have never used one. Only english bits I have used is a smooth snaffle, a twisted wire snaffle (both large and small), and a slow twist. Now, western bits, I can have an opinion.
A bit is a tool. ANY bit can be harsh in the wrong rider's hands. Personally?
Kids should never start showing until they know how to properly control their horse. If they can't get there horses to behave at home, then taking them to a show is a recipe for getting the child, the horse, and other riders hurt. I have seen many times a kid slapped up on mommy or daddy's 1D barrel horse at a race, and then you see a kid holding on for dear life while speedy mcgee is knocking all the barrels over and hitting walls since the kid can't physically control it. I would rather see a kid lose with a push button, safe pony/horse that they look comfortable on, then to see a kid win on a massive show horse that the kid looks terrified on.
That's just me though.
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56 days ago
• 14,058 views
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Santa Ana Ranch
MOD
I swear you were reading my mind with this article.
I, personally, LOVE the pelham bit. It's a great tool if you know how to use it. Like you stated in the article, kids need to learn how to ride proper before they move up to the flashy show ponies that need a stronger more experienced rider. Too many trainers and parents for that matter, want to move up so fast they skip steps and in skipping steps they increase the danger they put their children in just for a blue ribbon and a pretty trophy.
To quickly they are like, lets bit up and drug up these flashy ponies so we can make a quick buck off these naive parents that what to buy their kids the moon.
TO add to the pelham debate, One of my biggest pet peeves is a converter on a pelham. It defeats the purpose of the bit, but that goes with my feelings that if you feel the need to ride in a pelham then you need to know how to properly ride in double reins.
Excellent article.
I swear you were reading my mind with this article.
I, personally, LOVE the pelham bit. It's a great tool if you know how to use it. Like you stated in the article, kids need to learn how to ride proper before they move up to the flashy show ponies that need a stronger more experienced rider. Too many trainers and parents for that matter, want to move up so fast they skip steps and in skipping steps they increase the danger they put their children in just for a blue ribbon and a pretty trophy.
To quickly they are like, lets bit up and drug up these flashy ponies so we can make a quick buck off these naive parents that what to buy their kids the moon.
TO add to the pelham debate, One of my biggest pet peeves is a converter on a pelham. It defeats the purpose of the bit, but that goes with my feelings that if you feel the need to ride in a pelham then you need to know how to properly ride in double reins.
Excellent article.
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56 days ago
• 13,825 views
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SMFponies
Polo, I love all of your articles!! The stories you post are absolutely amazing, and educational to boot! And if its alright I would love to share a story of my own on this matter :)
Around 8 years ago my family and I found a broken down, ex-hunter pony. We were told that he could probably do some classes, but years of trying to force the 14 hand pony to jump higher than he could ruined his haunch he was only 9 years old. There were two other things about Bailey that put him at a huge disadvantage in the hunter ring. 1) He was a roan: not bay 2) He wore a rubber snaffle Pelham with chain: which judges will take massive points off if they see it in the lower divisions. Despite these, Bailey would win EVERYTHING. To this day he has not left a single show without winning a champion or reserve champion. He's the most expensive pony we have ever bought, but we also had to nurse him back to health from the miserable shape that he was in.
Enter me, a terrified, un confident rider who k
Polo, I love all of your articles!! The stories you post are absolutely amazing, and educational to boot! And if its alright I would love to share a story of my own on this matter :)
Around 8 years ago my family and I found a broken down, ex-hunter pony. We were told that he could probably do some classes, but years of trying to force the 14 hand pony to jump higher than he could ruined his haunch he was only 9 years old. There were two other things about Bailey that put him at a huge disadvantage in the hunter ring. 1) He was a roan: not bay 2) He wore a rubber snaffle Pelham with chain: which judges will take massive points off if they see it in the lower divisions. Despite these, Bailey would win EVERYTHING. To this day he has not left a single show without winning a champion or reserve champion. He's the most expensive pony we have ever bought, but we also had to nurse him back to health from the miserable shape that he was in.
Enter me, a terrified, un confident rider who knew nothing about being a horseman or a rider. Now that I look back, finding Bailey was the most amazing thing which could have ever happened. That "Pelham Pony" taught me what being a good rider was all about. It wasn't all about who could jump the fastest or "just get it done", the winners were decided by who could be the most in sync with their horses/pony. Don't chip, don't go long, don't leave out strides in the lines (he he) and don't plow through fences (kind of did that too) and you'll win the round. Any place, anywhere. That show-ring veteran taught me how to be a show winner, but before that a horseman.
Since my family has never had much money, we've never been able to "campaign" or go to more than 8 shows a year to get year end overall champions. The championship is determined by a point system that is quite simple, 1 win= 10 points, 2nd pl.= 8 (etc. ) and champion=30 points. We went to 4 shows, and by the end of the year had won 2008 Pony Hunter Champion, Pony Hunter Equitation Champion, and 2008 Horse of the year award for our zone. I cleaned my own pony's stall that night, and tacked him up by myself the next day like I had for the last 3 years.
I understand completely your position on how champion ponies with kids who don't know how to ride, and how completely frustrating and irritating they are. But I was a nervous kid and I learned more on a "champion pony" than I had on any other mount beforehand. Being nervous I got caught thinking backwards, and Bailey taught me how to think forward.
Thank you so much again for all of your amazing articles and phenomenal stories, those I thoroughly enjoy. But I hope this has brought new perspective.
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56 days ago
• 13,770 views
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Run Free
polo, you wrote a new article when i am on holidays and force me into the chair to read it :O but anyway i LOVE the article, god i do hate to see 6 and 7 year olds riding €250,000 horses with the latest, harshest tack. so unnecessary and stupid!!! i love the title by the way ) and i would write so much more on my opinion but im being given out to for being on the laptop and i shall be killed if i do not leave O.o sorry for bad spelling i am typing really fast XD
polo, you wrote a new article when i am on holidays and force me into the chair to read it :O but anyway i LOVE the article, god i do hate to see 6 and 7 year olds riding €250,000 horses with the latest, harshest tack. so unnecessary and stupid!!! i love the title by the way ) and i would write so much more on my opinion but im being given out to for being on the laptop and i shall be killed if i do not leave O.o sorry for bad spelling i am typing really fast XD
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56 days ago
• 13,555 views
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Faith forever
Lucky for me my parents bought me a cheap rescue. Any she didn't need a harsh bit. And she still doesn't because that`s how she was trained. I love horses with a soft mouth.
Lucky for me my parents bought me a cheap rescue. Any she didn't need a harsh bit. And she still doesn't because that`s how she was trained. I love horses with a soft mouth.
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55 days ago
• 13,444 views
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Cansinady
Amen! I totally agree.
Amen! I totally agree.
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55 days ago
• 13,670 views
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Soquili
Since I saw this article, I changed my horse to a Pelham Eggbutt bit-- he is a saint in it!
Since I saw this article, I changed my horse to a Pelham Eggbutt bit-- he is a saint in it!
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43 days ago
• 13,282 views
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Hippogriff
The only time my horse has been in a pelham was when he was eventing most of the time, and my brother used to have to ride him in one. Since then, he's been having different types of snaffles, and as he has grown older, we've changed his bit one more time, and he loves it. With my Mother's horse, we brought a new bit (a small-jointed snaffle- not sure what type it is) just before she competed (there was a lovely little tack shop :3 ) and he was a saint. Sometimes changing to a less powerful bit can work wonders, but inexperienced riders should really have horses or ponies that can go nicely in a smaller bit, it's nicer for both horse and rider.
The only time my horse has been in a pelham was when he was eventing most of the time, and my brother used to have to ride him in one. Since then, he's been having different types of snaffles, and as he has grown older, we've changed his bit one more time, and he loves it. With my Mother's horse, we brought a new bit (a small-jointed snaffle- not sure what type it is) just before she competed (there was a lovely little tack shop :3 ) and he was a saint. Sometimes changing to a less powerful bit can work wonders, but inexperienced riders should really have horses or ponies that can go nicely in a smaller bit, it's nicer for both horse and rider.
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May 3, 2013
• 12,695 views
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Oblivyous
I realize this came out ages ago, but I still have to put my 2 cents in.
First of all, all ponies are evil. If you love your child, why would you try to kill them with a pony? End of story.
Second, children should never be allowed to ride in anything but a loose-ring double broken snaffle. If the horse doesn't go in that, they don't ride the horse. Also end of story.
Cherrios!
I realize this came out ages ago, but I still have to put my 2 cents in.
First of all, all ponies are evil. If you love your child, why would you try to kill them with a pony? End of story.
Second, children should never be allowed to ride in anything but a loose-ring double broken snaffle. If the horse doesn't go in that, they don't ride the horse. Also end of story.
Cherrios!
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Sep 29, 2014
• 10,025 views
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Rose Stable
Most of the time the kids have no experince with horses, there parents are rich, and, the ponys are headstrong! I say start lerning on a gentel, retired old mare, and then go to the fancy show ponys and tack!!!!!!!!!
Most of the time the kids have no experince with horses, there parents are rich, and, the ponys are headstrong! I say start lerning on a gentel, retired old mare, and then go to the fancy show ponys and tack!!!!!!!!!
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Oct 17, 2021
• 1,656 views
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