Pelham Bits

 A pelham is a type of curb bit used when riding a horse. It consists of a mouthpiece, a shank, a curb chain, 2 rein rings per side on the shank, and one cheekpiece ring on the top of the shank. The top rein ring is located next to the mouthpiece, as in a snaffle, and the rein that attaches to it is thus called the snaffle rein. The lower ring, at the bottom of the shank, is called the curb rein due to its curb action.

Due to the severity of the curb in relation to a snaffle, it should not be used by novice riders. Double reins are also more complicated for a novice to handle. The pelham should be ridden mainly off the snaffle rein, with the curb rein only coming into effect when needed. Often, a bit converter, also known as a pelham rounding, is used so a pelham can be used with only one rein. This is especially helpful in the cross-country phase of eventing, so that when the reins are slipped only one must be shortened. However, use of a converter is illegal in most other horse show classes. If used with two reins, the snaffle rein should be wider to help distinguish it from the curb