This all started because the Welsh Central Regional seems like it's going to be a big deal this year. COVID-willing, we should have Welshies from all over the US and Canada coming to show at it in October.
So I thought, okay, this year I'm actually going to put some effort into our outfit, and that included buying a Pelham. It's technically okay to show in a simple snaffle, but Pelhams and double bridles are more traditional for Welsh under saddle classes.
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| Really want to find a tweed... |
With some encouragement from Mary, who thought I'd really like him in a Pelham, I tracked down what I thought was the same bit as my Bombers Happy Tongue Straight, only with Pelham sides. Except, it wasn't.
This one has a thicker mouthpiece that's made of a nylon composite rather than sweet iron. I was skeptical that Connor would like it since he's not always been a fan of thick mouthpieces in the past, but I gave it a shot anyway, first with two reins on Saturday.
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| Waiting on my proper curb rein to arrive but making do with what I have in the meantime. |
I was surprised to find I actually loved it. He was quietly mouthing the bit a lot more than normal without being fussy about it, and I liked the little extra bit of control the curb gave me. I remembered how he liked the Herm Sprenger Nathe (until he started getting his tongue over that) and I started to wonder if he preferred non-metal bits, and if he'd go just as well in a snaffle version of this that's Dressage legal. So on Sunday, I took the curb rein off and just rode off the snaffle, as an experiment.
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| Survey says: yes |
He loved it.
But of course, Pelhams aren't legal for Dressage, so as soon as I felt confident that he went well in it as a snaffle, I ordered the loose ring version, which is Dressage legal. It's possible that one of the things he likes about it is the way it hangs off of the bridle, but they don't have a Baucher-type version of this mouthpiece, so we'll see when the loose ring gets here I guess.
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| Still rocking that Fairfax horse-sized noseband while we wait on the pony-sized noseband and pads to arrive from the UK |
If he's going to be picky about bits, I'm glad he at least seems to love the Bombers line, which isn't making me quite as poor as other bit manufacturers would!
Saw a gorgeous tweed RJ Classics hacking jacket (https://thetackboxinc.com/product/rj-classic-ladies-walnut-brown-plaid-hacking-jacket/). It would be stunning with Connor's coloring.
ReplyDeleteUghhhhhhh that's gorgeous but I can't spend a month of board on a jacket I'll only wear once a year!
DeleteEros hates a metal bit, so it's possible that Connor shares a similar preference! I've been using leather for Eros. But the days he's a torpedo it's not really enough. Maybe I'll try one of these one day! Hope Connor also likes the loose ring!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to try a leather bit! I've heard some horses really really like them.
DeleteIt looks (and sounds) like your Welsh shows are very similar to our showing shows here. Can't wait to see how he goes!
ReplyDeleteI do think that the fixed ends of the pelham is what horses tend to like a lot since it stabilizes noise from the hand.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with that. Connor's favorite bit and bridle setups have always added stability (like the drop noseband).
DeleteI have a tweed coat that no longer fits me and I would be happy to send along to you to have for Welsh shows!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, that is so generous of you! Can you DM me on Instagram so I don't need to put my email address out here? j_alean. Thanks!
DeleteIs Disco going to regionals too?
ReplyDeleteHe is! He'll still be on his mom at that time. Mary is going to handle his mom and I'm going to handle him!
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