( FOCUS ON BITS ) Bits in the Spotlight: Vulcanite and Rubber Pelhams
Bitting experts, Abbey England, make thousands of bits in their UK foundry every year. Designed and produced by highly skilled craftsmen, every bit is individually handmade and can be customised to suit your requirements. The possibilities are endless, even for traditional bits, as they can be lightweight, normal weight or made with a variety of mouth and cheek pieces. Here we take a closer look at Vulcanite and Rubber Pelhams and the options available.
P
elham bits are popular in showing classes when used with two reins but are not permitted for dressage. The bit has the potential to exert a lot of pressure on the horse so should only be used in experienced hands. A Pelham features two sets of rings and so is usually used with two sets of reins. The lever action means that the reins attached to the lower or curb ring exert more force on the horse’s mouth than the reins attached to the upper or snaffle rings.
For riders wishing to use a single set of reins - roundings can be used which attach to the upper and lower rings on the Pelham and provide a leather loop to which one rein is attached on either side. Using a single rein in this way can be easier for the rider but does not enable as precise signals from the rider to the horse. A Pelham bit is a blend of three pressures - if you set the curb chain correctly - with equal pressure in the mouth at the poll and on the underside of the lower jaw. A longer shank (part of the cheek below the mouthpiece) on a Pelham will encourage a quicker yield to the bit and therefore allows the rider to use a lighter hand.
As the rein is used, the cheek turns and the mouthpiece rotates downwards applying downward mouth pressure. If the curb chain is correctly set it should move against the jaw as the cheek of the bit reaches 45º stopping the downward pressure from continuing and balancing the bit in the mouth giving then equal pressure in the mouth on the jaw and the poll, which gives you your degree of head tilt and your brakes. Pelhams from Abbey England can be made with vulcanite or rubber mouths which often suit horses which have room for a slightly bulkier mouthpiece as they can be more comfortable than metal. Vulcanite is a hard plastic type material giving a firm but "warm" feel. It is also normally quite thick so that the effect is to produce a
gentle bit in a firm material built over a metal bar for strength. Rubber produces a similar effect to Vulcanite but has a softer feel. It can also be used to make flexible bits by moulding it over a strong steel chain rather than a solid metal bar.
The Pelham cheeks available measure 4”, 5” and 6” and currently Abbey England make the following types of mouth on Pelhams (as well as Kimblewicks):
Vulcanite Mullen Vulcanite Ported Vulcanite Jointed Vulcanite French Rubber on Metal Mullen Rubber Flexible Rubber Ported Rubber Jointed Rubber French Rubber Loller
Pelham Rubber Loller Short Cheek
Pelham Rubber French Link
Pelham Vulcanite Jointed
Curb Chains are supplied with all Pelham Bits. Chains supplied are normally stainless steel with nickel, brass or nickel plated available on request. Single chains are available in pony, cob and full size, whilst doubles are also available in extra-long. Flat Polo chains and Brass chains are available at extra cost.
Abbey England hosts one of the largest collections in the UK and as a bitting expert understands the importance of both performance and comfort. All their bits have been designed and manufactured to the highest standards using only the best quality materials.
www.abbeyengland.com More news from Abbey England.... Abbey England Launches Saddlery Scholarship 2020
Abbey England is to launch its third Saddlery Scholarship with a prize of £500 worth of workshop tools going to the lucky winner of this successful scheme. The 2019 winner, Lucy Cushley (see photo below), has kept everyone updated with her progress of her career through her monthly blog on the Abbey England website. Said Lucy: “It’s been great to have won the scholarship from Abbey England and my new specialist tools have been put to good use over the past months. It’s also been a privilege to have been given a space on the monthly website blog and I have really enjoyed writing on there.”
Abbey England is well known for supplying workshops worldwide and is the one-stop-shop for all saddlery tools, leather, threads, textiles and saddle trees.
Said Richard Brown of Abbey England: “We are delighted to be able to continue our support of trainee saddle makers through our Abbey England Scholarship for 2020.”
“These trainees are the future of the industry and we are always delighted to see so many of them at the annual Society of Master Saddlers National Competition bringing new ideas and techniques into practice alongside the traditional saddle and harness work.” Abbey England, which is based in Cheshire and is a true family business, prides itself on supplying top quality British-made materials and tools and is one of the market leaders in equestrian wholesale suppliers. The business was awarded a Royal Warrant in 1995 for the supply of saddlery workshop materials to the Royal Mews. Being British and supporting British manufacturing is part of Abbey England’s heritage. Where possible, the company sources UK-made products and maintains its own manufacturing in the heart of Walsall. Employing traditional skills, the company produces vital solid brass saddlery components and harness fittings for the industry in its own historic foundry. The Abbey England Scholarship is open all applicants who are in their first or second year of saddlery training (please specify your
68 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 For the latest news visit
www.centralhorsenews.co.uk
course and college) and those who have experience within the saddlery and/or leather trade and are looking to advance their knowledge and skill set through further training.
Applicants this year will be asked to supply their biography in video format in addition to completing the online form.
To enter, please visit
www.abbeyengland.com/blog/2019/09/25/abbey-launch-2020- scholarship/ and download the Abbey England Scholarship
Application.The deadline for entering the scholarship search is Friday 29th November 29,
2019.Email your entry to IshbelJohnson@ab-
beyengland.com marked ‘Abbey England Scholarship 2020’. For further information visit
www.abbeyengland.com
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