Hartwell Pelham

The Hartwell Pelham is a more unusual type of pelham, but can be very good to use on horses with a large tongue or small mouth.

The Hartwell pelham is often a better choice than the more traditional Cambridge mouth pelham for larger horses with little space for the bit, as the sweeping port and curved mouthpiece follow the contours of the horses mouth and give plenty of space for the tongue.

The action of the Hartwell pelham is on the bars of the mouth, with some mild palate pressure. This can help prevent the horse from putting its tongue over the bit as the port relieves the pressure on the tongue as well as making it difficult to do.

Pelhams are designed to be used with two reins, the 'snaffle' rein on the larger ring which should have a constant contact, and the curb rein is attached to the smaller loose bottom ring and is used when needed. The small hole in the shank just above the curb ring is for a lip strap, not essential but correct for showing and helps to keep the curb chain flat.

If the rider wishes to use only one pair of reins, roundings can be used to join the snaffle and curb rings together and the reins go on the loop of leather to give an action on both mouthpiece and curb when the rein is pulled.

• Sweeping port and slightly curved mouth allows more room for the tongue, ideal for horses that dislike tongue pressure or try to get their tongue over the bit
• Ideally used with two reins, but one rein can be used if roundings are used
• Bit strength: fairly strong