He HATES it!

Radar absolutely hates the jointed pelham. Which does not necessarily mean that it won't be a good bit to hunt him in!  On the snaffle rein, it's clear that the joint is poking up into the roof of his mouth and I had to tie it off and ride on the curb. The action of the curb arm swinging backwards moves the joint down and forwards across his tongue, which is fine if I ride on the curb alone.  I could control him well, slowing from a flat out gallop, and he was absolutely mad about it. He threw his head violently left and right and certainly did everything which would have made his gums split  in a straight bar. When I got home, all I could find was some pinkness on the outside of his gums and lips, just where I was hoping to transfer the pressure to. No splits or broken skin anywhere.

I did four fast runs, slowing or stopping in the middle of each one, and each time he fought less as he began to understand the action of the bit and that he could not overcome it. For the first two he was completely wild! I don't think I have as good steering as in the Liverpool, but I am going to try it on Saturday and see how we get on. I will leave off the snaffle rein, and to stop the rings looking stupid and swinging out I have joined them to each other with a rounding under his jaw.

I have adjusted Buttie's harness to fit him and tested him pulling a plastic crate across the yard. He was fine with it. I took some pictures but I forgot to set the camera to distance and they are dreadful. I'll get some more but this is the best one :-(   He needs a new bit, which I will buy in a minute on eBay, and I had to use a dressage girth for the bottom half of the saddle pad because it was far too short to fit him. The girth will be more comfortable than a narrow strap anyway. He does look very cute in it all!