Sprenger Novocontact 16mm Pelham

Uniquely shaped, especially sensitive.

Novocontact bits are designed to create a unique oval shape which widens the contact surface on the tongue while the rider keeps a steady contact. As the rider gives a rein aid the mouthpiece turns forward and the contact surface gets narrower, ensuring more precise and effective communication. Novocontact bits improve the interaction between horse and rider for a better contact and acceptance of the bit.

The double jointed novocontact bits are ideal to use on horses that occasionally tend to pull against the hand, but are too sensitive to be ridden with stronger bits.

The Pelham is a bit that provides additional lever action on the poll. Pressure is applied to the lower jaw bones by the use of a curb chain. In a way the Pelham is a combination of a Weymouth and a bradoon. Pelhams can be used with one or two reins, which enables different rein options. Direct pressure is applied to the horse’s tongue and bars if the rider only uses the snaffle rein.

If horses tend to toss the head it makes sense to attach a second rein to the lower cheek piece ring to apply pressure on the horse’s poll. The horse will try to dodge this pressure by lowering the head. The curb chain should come into play at maximum angle of 45° (lower cheek to horse’s mouth) to avoid the horse lowering its head too much.

It is very common to use a double rein as it enables the ability to apply pressure on the horse’s poll if necessary. Pelhams are also widely used with Pelham straps. This strap is attached to the upper and lower cheek piece ring and the rein is fixed to this strap.