Cherry Roller Jointed Pelham - Copper

$253.00 NZD

Tax included.

Product variants

A Cherry Roller Pelham with a single-jointed mouthpiece (18mm rollers) is a type of horse bit characterised by its single hinge in the centre, which creates a V-shape when pressure is applied, combined with Copper Rollers.

The copper roller helps promote salivation and encourages the horse to accept the bit comfortably. The mouthpiece features multiple small rollers that rotate independently preventing the horse from grabbing hold of he bit and leaning on it, encouraging a lighter and more responsive feel.

Product information

Different materials encourage varying levels of salivation. Salivation is important as it results in a more relaxed jaw and a softer mouth, promoting bit acceptance and the ability to respond to the rider's commands without tension. When the horse is relaxed, it is more focused on the rider's signals, facilitating better communication. Materials which promote more salivation do so by encouraging the horse to chew and grind on the bit, this engagement can lead to improved responsiveness and communication between horse and rider.

Brass
Brass is an aesthetically pleasing alloy with a slightly sweet taste which encourages light salivation. Brass has good thermal conductivity and natural antibacterial properties which help reduce the build-up of bacteria on the bit. Brass is a good balance between strength and softness, offering a gentle action on the horse’s mouth but durable enough to withstand significant forces and its hardness contributes to good resistance to wear. Brass is anti-corrosive and rust resistant, which means it requires less maintenance. It can develop an easily removed patina over time which has a neutral taste; while it doesn’t taste bad to horses, it does not have the same salivation-inducing effect that copper or sweet metal bits do.

Copper
The most notable benefit of copper bits is its ability to stimulate salivation, the natural taste encourages horses to chew and produce more saliva. Many horses prefer the taste of copper, which can make them more willing to accept the bit and respond positively to it. This can be especially beneficial for young horses or horses with sensitive mouths. Copper has excellent thermal conductivity, warming in the horse’s mouth very quickly. It also has natural antibacterial properties which help reduce the build-up of bacteria on the bit. Copper is a gentler and softer material, so with heavy use over time the horses chewing and grinding can wear down the mouthpiece faster than it would with brass or sweet metal. As part of the natural oxidisation process, copper mouthpieces develop a greenish patina, this is normal and even helps increase the bit's palatability.

Sweet Metal with Copper Inlays
Combining the benefits of both materials offers several advantages for the horse’s comfort and responsiveness. When exposed to moisture (the horse’s saliva) sweet metal develops a light non-toxic rust called iron oxide, this has a sweet taste and encourages the horse to chew on the bit and salivate. The natural taste of the copper inlays adds extra flavour and further encourages the horse to chew, softening its mouth – this can be especially beneficial for young horses or horses with sensitive mouths. Sweet metal has good thermal conductivity and the oxidisation gives the bit a more textured feel, giving the horse an increased indication of what the rider is trying to achieve when asking for certain commands. Sweet metal is strong and resistant to wear, it can better withstand chewing and grinding over time when compared to copper.

We refer to leverage often throughout our bit explanations, it is valuable for riders to understand what it means.

Leverage in horse bits refers to the mechanical advantage created by the design of certain bits; to apply pressure to certain areas of a horses mouth, head and neck.

The leverage helps magnify the riders rein aids, allowing for greater control and communication with the horse, often requiring less physical strength from the rider.

This increased pressure can be applied to the horse’s poll, chin, mouth or tongue, depending on the design and use of the bit.

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Items are dispatched from our fulfilment centres in the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

Returns can be accepted for store credit within 30 days of purchase. The item/s must be in brand new, resell-able condition and returned to Ainsley Saddlery at the customers expense. Conditions apply, please refer to our Returns page.

This bit is effective in lifting the horse's nose. The leverage created by the Pelham Shanks helps elevate the horse’s front end, which can be particularly useful for horses that tend to lean on the bit or have a heavy forehand.

This bit is suitable for horses who tend to lean on the bit or resist traditional mouthpieces. It can help retrain and refine a horse's level of communication and response to rein aids. It can help to develop the horse's suppleness and responsiveness, making it a valuable tool in your tack room.

It is also great for nervous or fidgety horses, as the rollers have a calming effect on the horse encouraging them to relax and focus on the rider.

It is specifically useful for managing horses who do not respond well to an elevated level of poll pressure created by a standard gag, who tend to fight the pressure or head shake. This bit shares the pressure between the lips, tongues, bars and cheeks. By using it with a curb chain or leather curb strap you can also incorporate chin pressure.

This bit has had a huge range of success with horses with unusual traits and a must have in any tackroom.

The shank size on a pelham directly impacts the leverage and response of the horse. A larger shank increases the leverage applied to the horse, this means that a small movement of the riders hands can result in a larger effect, potentially increasing the level of control. A smaller shank decreases the level of leverage applied on the horse, meaning that affect is much smaller. A shorter shank provides milder leverage, making the bit gentler and suitable for horses that do not require strong correction.

Due to its action and leverage, the 6” Shank is best suited for experienced riders who understand how to apply pressure judiciously and effectively.

Enhance the performance and comfort of this bit with the following accessories:

Rubber Bit Rings: Protects the corners of your horse's mouth and provides additional comfort.
Wide Curb Chain: Distributes pressure more evenly, offering a gentler alternative to narrower chains.
Leather Curb Strap: A slightly softer touch feels against your horse's skin, compared to a wide curb chain.
Short Cheekpieces: Help achieve the perfect fit for your horse with our shortened cheek pieces so you can have the bit sitting perfectly in your horse’s mouth.

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Steering difficulties, discomfort, lack of responsiveness?

Behavioural and responsiveness problems can stem from multiple factors, addressing them often requires working through several possibilities, including trying a specialised bit. It's a matter of eliminating the variables until a solution is found - a specialised bit is a fantastic place to start.

Tell us about the problem you'd like solved and an Ainsley Expert will be in touch to help.

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While the right bit can address a variety of issues, each horse is unique - what works for one may not work for another.

With so many bitting options & variations available, the selection process can feel daunting.

We're here to simplify it.