French Link Pelham Bit

A Pelham bit is a leverage bit designed to combine the actions of a snaffle and a curb (traditionally achieved separately by a double bridle) into a single mouthpiece, giving the rider both direct rein aids and additional leverage when needed.

Design

• The Pelham has a shank extending below the mouthpiece, with the mouthpiece ring at the top and a lower ring at the end of the shank.
• Two rein attachment points: The upper ring attaches to the cheekpiece of the bridle and also takes the snaffle rein, applying direct pressure similar to a plain snaffle. The lower ring is used for the curb rein (or a converter), engaging the shank's leverage action.
• It is used with a curb chain, which sits in the chin groove and engages when the curb rein is used.
• The mouthpiece can vary widely — mullen mouth, jointed, low-port, or even a "Rugby" style with a roller — depending on the desired feel and severity.
• Some riders use a "bit converter," "roundings," or a delta rein — connecting the two rings — allowing a single rein to be used instead of two, at the cost of losing the ability to apply snaffle and curb pressure independently.

Function

• Dual action, single mouthpiece: The snaffle rein (top ring) applies direct pressure on the bars and corners of the mouth. The curb rein (bottom ring) engages the shank, creating leverage that applies pressure simultaneously to the poll, the mouth, and the curb chain under the chin.
• Encourages rebalancing and softness: This combined action encourages the horse to rebalance, soften in the contact, and come down/forward to the bit, creating a framed, stable feeling.
• Adjustable severity via reins: A rider using two reins can blend between the milder snaffle action and the stronger curb/leverage action as needed, moment to moment — for instance, using mostly snaffle rein for steering and light contact, with occasional curb rein for half-halts or steadying.
• Leverage ratio depends on shank length: Longer shanks create more leverage and a stronger curb effect; shorter-shanked Pelhams are milder.
• With roundings/delta rein (single rein): Blends the two actions into a single, averaged pressure, sacrificing the fine control of separate reins for simplicity — often considered a "middle ground" bit, but less precise than using two reins properly.

What it's good for

• Horses that get strong or heavy in the hand: The Pelham can be useful for horses that become strong, lean on the rider's hand, or need extra help maintaining balance and control — particularly in jumping or faster work, where quick, effective half-halts matter.
• Riders skilled with two reins (or using a delta rein): Best suited to riders who can independently manage a snaffle rein and a curb rein, or who use a delta rein for a more unified but still leverage-assisted feel.
• Disciplines like hunting, showing, eventing, and polo: Popular in disciplines where extra control is wanted but a double bridle's complexity isn't practical or permitted.
• Horses that benefit from poll flexion cues: The curb action can encourage a horse to soften and flex at the poll, similar to (but milder than) a double bridle.
• As a stepping stone toward a double bridle: Some trainers use the Pelham to introduce a horse to the feel of curb pressure before progressing to a double bridle, since it combines both actions in one bit.

A note on severity, fit, and hand

• The Pelham is generally considered a stronger, more advanced bit than the fixed-cheek or loose-ring snaffles, and than the Kimberwick, due to its adjustable shank leverage and dual-rein capability.
• Pelham bits should always be used with a delta rein or two reins — never a single plain rein attached to just one ring — to ensure the bit functions and releases correctly.
• It should always be used with a soft, educated hand and a clear release when the horse responds, since the leverage action is only effective and comfortable when paired with good timing and feel.
• A properly fitted curb chain (with roughly 2 fingers' clearance) is essential for correct, comfortable action and to avoid pinching.
• Not recommended for green or inexperienced horses, or for riders still developing independent rein control, since incorrect or heavy curb rein use can create discomfort or confusion.

Competition legality

The Pelham is permitted in many disciplines — showing (including some show hunter and pony classes), eventing, showjumping, and polo — but like the Kimberwick, it is not permitted in FEI dressage competition, which restricts riders to a plain snaffle (or double bridle at advanced levels).

Summary

The Pelham is a leverage bit combining snaffle and curb actions in one mouthpiece, offering significant extra control through its shank and curb chain to help horses rebalance and soften — making it a popular choice for horses that get strong or heavy, especially in jumping and faster work, provided it's used with a delta rein or two reins and a soft, educated hand. It's generally considered more severe than snaffle-type bits, with no FEI dressage eligibility.

This pairs the French Link mouthpiece — widely regarded as the mildest common double-jointed shape — with stainless steel, the most standard, low-maintenance bitting material.

Design

• The French Link consists of a double-jointed mouthpiece with a flat, rounded center plate (lozenge) between two outer sections, rather than a single hinge.
• The center plate lies flat against the tongue, with no angled edge, unlike the Dr. Bristol's offset plate.
• Stainless steel is durable, tasteless, and non-rusting — it stays neutral and consistent over time, with no natural salivation-boosting properties (unlike sweet iron/blue steel or copper).

Function

• Eliminates the nutcracker effect: Because the center plate is flat rather than angled, the French Link removes the sharp, pinching action of a single-jointed bit almost entirely, distributing pressure smoothly across the tongue and bars instead of concentrating it in one spot.
• Even, predictable pressure: The flat lozenge spreads contact evenly, offering a comfortable, non-aggressive feel — this is considered the mildest, most straightforward of the common double-jointed mouthpiece shapes.
• More independent rein action: With two joints instead of one, each side of the mouthpiece has some independent movement, allowing clearer, more precise communication when using one rein at a time.
• Neutral, consistent material: Stainless steel doesn't oxidize, stain, or develop a taste of its own, so unlike blue steel or copper, this combination doesn't offer any built-in salivation-boosting effect — the mouthpiece's mildness comes purely from its shape, not its material.
• No leverage or added severity: As a true snaffle, this bit works entirely on direct pressure — no shank, curb chain, or poll pressure involved.

What it's good for

• Horses with fleshy or sensitive tongues: The flat lozenge follows the tongue's contours comfortably and offers more room than a single joint, making it well liked by horses with larger tongues or general tongue sensitivity.
• Young or green horses learning about contact: As one of the mildest jointed mouthpiece shapes available, it's a popular, reliable choice for introducing horses to bit contact without overwhelming them.
• Horses with narrow or sensitive bars: Because pressure is directed more onto the tongue and less sharply onto the bars compared to a single joint, it can suit horses with sensitive or narrow bars.
• Riders wanting a dependable, low-maintenance, all-purpose mouthpiece: Stainless steel's practicality (no rust, no staining, easy to clean) combined with the French Link's comfort makes this one of the most common, versatile "default" choices across nearly every English discipline.
• Horses that don't need extra taste-based encouragement: Suited to horses that already accept contact reasonably well and don't require the additional salivation stimulation that sweet iron, blue steel, or copper mouthpieces are designed to provide.

A note on classification

• As with other mouthpiece combinations discussed, the overall lateral action and stability still depends on the cheek style (loose-ring, D-ring, eggbutt, Full Cheek, etc.) the French Link is built into — this mouthpiece provides the tongue/bar pressure profile, while the cheek determines steering support and mouthpiece movement.
• This is generally considered a mild, standard, all-purpose snaffle mouthpiece and material pairing — comfortable and predictable, without any added acceptance-boosting or control-enhancing properties beyond its basic shape.

Summary

A Double-Jointed French Link Stainless Steel bit offers the gentlest, most evenly distributing of the common double-jointed shapes, paired with the most practical, low-maintenance, and widely accepted bitting material — making it one of the most popular, dependable, all-purpose choices across disciplines, particularly well suited to horses with sensitive tongues or bars, and to riders who want a simple, comfortable, no-fuss mouthpiece without needing a specialized taste or acceptance boost.