Ergonomic sweet iron Pelham, 14 mm, double-jointed Lock Up, short shanks

Sweet iron pelham: the sweet taste that encourages chewing.

The pelham combines a snaffle and a curb bit in a single mouthpiece: two pairs of reins, or one pair with roundings. The curb chain is included. It is mainly used for jumping and eventing, on a horse that needs to be brought back onto the bit without moving up to a double bridle. The Lock Up mechanism is this mouthpiece’s distinctive feature: beyond a certain angle, the double joint locks, and the bit behaves like a straight bar in the horse’s mouth. It can no longer fold in on itself, preventing excessive pressure on the palate and providing a gentler action than a conventional single-jointed bit. The Ergonomic range is shaped to match the anatomy of the mouth: the mouthpiece tapers inward, where space is limited, to distribute pressure more evenly. It is made of sweet iron, a mild steel that develops a slightly sweet taste when it comes into contact with saliva: the horse chews more, salivates more, and accepts the bit more readily. The double-jointed versions also feature a copper insert, making them even more appealing.

✨ Key features

• ✔ Lock Up double-jointed mouthpiece, 14 mm diameter
• ✔ Shank length: 5 cm
• ✔ Sweet iron mouthpiece: sweet taste, salivation, and chewing
• ✔ Mouthpiece tapers inward to distribute pressure more effectively
• ✔ Copper insert in the center of the mouthpiece
• ✔ Lock Up mechanism: the mouthpiece locks into a bar, with no nutcracker effect
• ✔ Stainless steel shanks, with no free nickel
• ✔ Very high corrosion resistance
• ✔ Curb chain included

📋 Technical specifications

• Type: pelham
• Mouthpiece: Lock Up double-jointed
• Mouthpiece diameter: 14 mm
• Shank length: 5 cm
• Mouthpiece material: sweet iron, copper insert
• Shanks: stainless steel
• Supplied with: curb chain

🐎 Why choose this product?

Sweet iron is not just a catalog claim: it is a surface that is intentionally allowed to oxidize and develops a sweet taste when it comes into contact with saliva. A horse that finds its bit pleasant will chew, salivate, and maintain soft contact. The trade-off is intentional — this metal is softer than stainless steel and develops a patina quickly.

🧴 Care instructions

Rinse with clean water after each use and dry roughly. Do not try to remove the bluish patina or rust spots: they are intentional; this is what gives sweet iron its sweet taste. Do not use abrasive products or a dishwasher. Sweet iron is softer than stainless steel: it marks more quickly, without affecting its performance. Check the joints regularly for wear.

Composition

Sweet iron mouthpiece (carbon and manganese steel), copper insert, stainless steel shanks.