The Shires Mullen Mouth Pelham is a classical leverage bit designed for strong horses that require extra braking control but dislike the action of jointed bits. It features traditional stainless steel Pelham shanks paired with an unjointed, slightly curved metal mullen mouthbar. This configuration offers a neat, single-mouthpiece alternative to a bulky double bridle in the showing ring, and provides crisp, reliable stopping power for hacking, hunting, or jumping phases.
Key Specifications:
- Mouthpiece Design and Material: Solid, unjointed mullen mouth (a straight bar with a slight forward curve) in high-grade, high-polish solid stainless steel (tasteless, durable, and rust-resistant).
- Mouthpiece Thickness: 14mm.
- Cheek Height/ Shank Length: Proportional to size— 140mm (for 6" horse sizes).
How it Works:
- Palate and Lip Relief: Because the mullen mouthpiece is completely solid and unjointed, it cannot collapse or fold upward in a "V" shape. This keeps the bit flat and stable, entirely preventing painful pinching of the lips, bars, or the roof of the horse's mouth.
- Even Tongue Pressure: The gentle forward curve of the mullen bar is shaped to sit comfortably over the horse's tongue. It applies a uniform, blunt pressure across the tongue and lower bars of the jaw, which is highly reassuring for horses with sensitive mouth structures that back off or resist jointed bits.
- Single Rein Compatibility: For riders who find managing two reins difficult, it can be fitted with leather Pelham roundings. A single rein attaches directly to the loop of the rounding, automatically engaging a pre-blended mix of mouth contact, poll pressure, and curb leverage simultaneously.
- Dual Rein Mechanical Action: Designed to be ridden with two reins to isolate different pressures:
- The Snaffle Rein: Attached to the large main ring, it delivers a direct, unassisted contact that functions similarly to a mild hanging cheek snaffle for everyday steering.
- The Curb Rein: Connected to the bottom shank loop, it acts as a lever. When engaged, it pulls the upper shanks forward to apply downward poll pressure (encouraging head lowering) while drawing the curb chain tight against the chin groove for strong braking power.
This bit is not legal for British Dressage (BD) or FEI Competitions but widely permissible for Showjumping and Cross Country phases and popular for Showing.